ranking 12 different versions of velma from scooby-doo 👓📚🔎 

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I think we can all agree that each member of Mystery Incorporated for the 2000's live-action Scooby-Doo-ology was too perfectly cast. 👌

I find it kind of eye-rolling that Velma (2023) tries so hard to be "edgy" and "adult" when James Gunn had already thought that up *years ago,* but was back then denied the vision. And I'm sure even *that* would've been better than what Mindy Kaling thought she was giving us, because like you said, despite the innuendos present in Gunn's films (many of which go over your head as a kid but as an adult WOW), at least they're on characters *clearly* written and portrayed as over 21. 🙄

Can we get a video like this for all of Daphne's looks?? She's a fashion icon.

I'm predicting that Mindy Kaling's Velma will be the worst ranked, while Linda Cardellini will be the best.

Mystery Inc. Velma is probably one of top favorite incarnation of Velma. Everybody loves her sass and her strong and weak points.

Just wanted to add that Velma wasn’t renewed because of the hate watching. Season 2 was already announced before the show aired. They normally make 24 episodes and just split them into 2 seasons for animated shows now. Other than that, love this video and would love to see more on the rest of the gang!

Maybe I'm biased because I grew up loving the 2000's live action movies, but Linda Cardellini is by far my favourite Velma. She brought a sense of dorky charm to her Velma, making her more lovable. 🥰

You should totally review all of Daphne’s outfits! She’s the epitome of fashion.

Mystery Inc is my absolute favorite Velma. She has so much personality and the series in general is so good. It touches on adult themes but also some sort of realistic friend relationship problems.

"A Pup Named Scooby Doo" has the cutest incarnation of Velma 😍🥰 "Mystery Incorporated" Velma feels like the best example of what a modern version of the character can & should be. Still retaining her trademark smart & deductive reasoning, a dash of snark, holds a great care for the gang/her found family, & provides positive representation for LGBTQ+ community w/o turning being a stereotype or one dimensional caricature.

I don't remember exactly where, but Mindy Kaling would have mentioned that she wanted to make a nerdy girl character with Indian ethnicity, but didn't have the courage to do something new so she got Velma who was already kinda of a nerd to make her into the character she wanted. So yeah, she literally wanted to create a new character and not just update some that already existed like it should be.

I think the reason why people are upset about the race swapping in "Velma" when they didn't care about past race swapping is simple: In "Velma" the characters constantly talk about race and constantly disparage other people for their race. Whereas in other versions of the story where Velma was race swapped, it wasn't a giant focus. She was just Velma, and the characters' races didn't matter.

"In no way is the gang defined by their whiteness, except for Fred." I'd like to ask Kaling exactly why Fred is excluded from that sentiment.

You’ve really chosen a great topic today. Also, as much as I’m a fan of Linda Cardellini’s Velma and the iconic campy outfits (shoutout to the 2000s Movies), the ‘Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated’ had THE BEST VELMA.

Linda Cardellini's Velma might not have ended up being explicitly gay, but she became the gay awakening for a lot of young girls at the time so I consider that a win

About Daphne being a damsel-in-distress in the original series, I don't recall her being one, I just recently rewatched the original first two seasons (perfect timing for this video, lol), and the only episodes I can think of where she was a "damsel-in-distress-ish" was when she fell down in that trap door in "Hassle in the Castle," so she was lost from the gang for awhile. However, that doesn't automatically make her a DID, cuz she managed to find the gang later on - in her OWN TERMS. She hits Shaggy with a vase, thinking it was the Ghost. I mean, original Daphne already took matters into her own hands. The other episode I can think of where one could argue "she was a DID" was that episode with the vampire, werewolf and another ghost? where she doesn't really run with the rest of the gang in that drawbridge (she just stands there still, lol), so the monsters raise the bridge, she falls toward the castle gates and she's captured by the monsters. But when Fred and Velma find her, Daphne warns them to not come nearer, for "it's a trap," only for the door to then quickly slam shut, trapping all three inside the cell. So, it wasn't just Daphne, but Fred and Velma became damsels-in-distress that moment on, only to then be rescued by Shaggy and Scooby. Those are the only episodes I could think of and unless I'm mistaken, but I really don't get where the whole "Daphne is a damsel-in-distress" came from. She did take matters into her own hands when she could. I think it's just because she's pretty and rich, and she got lost from the gang on very few occasions, that people have to make the case of, "Oh, poor little rich girl, who can't do things on her own." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The 2002/04 Daphne did not really subvert her original counterpart, cuz Daphne was never a damsel-in-distress to begin with.

Honestly my favourite is still the original iteration of Velma 😅 She always seemed very confident to me about her intelligence and I also like that she could also be comedic with her oblivousness. As someone who is also nerdy I feel like that version of Velma bucks a lot of the stereotypes nerdy characters typically have (being more uptight and insecure) and she still feels really refreshing as a character.

I think the main reason no one (save for a very specific group that will take issue no matter what) cared when the race swapping happened before is because unlike in Velma 2023, their whiteness or lack thereof wasn’t made the central point of their character. POC characters can definitely have their race be integral to their character, but in Velma it comes off as obnoxious and pandering, and in general many of us are kind of tired of it. We want to see ourselves in creative media where we’re allowed to just be people who happen to be POC, where we can save the world, go on quests, or experience stupid high school drama without the story revolving around skin color. I would’ve been completely fine if Velma, Daphne, and Norvilles races had no bearing on their personal conflict, hell I would’ve been more into it. That isn’t the issue. The issue is that it IS integral to their characters in all the wrong ways.

I hope you do one on Daphne as well! Specially since she changes her fashion more often

The live action, mystery incorporated, the first four movies version, and what’s new scooby doo are my favorite versions of Velma. Also the what’s new scooby doo opening song is literally a bop.

I'm gonna pretend to be surprised when y'all choose Queen Linda 👸🏻

I was obsessed with Scooby Doo as a kid, and the home movie era is by far my favorite. I really like seeing the gang as adults living in the real world and dealing with pretty fleshed out characters (zombie island and witch's ghost specifically) and the grittier, cinematic animation style suited it so well. I didn't really like the james gunn movies as a kid because they made the gang too silly, but I appreciate how fun they are now. I was just too much of a scooby doo purist at the time, lol.

fun fact: in one of her live action versions, she’s played by Hot Dog Water’s voice actor.

My personal faves are tied Linda Cardellini and "Mystery Incorporated". And I just gotta say, I can't believe that you didn't mention the unintentional subtext you set up with Hayley Kiyoko! She is both Japanese American, as designer Iwao Takamoto may or may not have intended Velma to be, and went on to be the most prominent open lesbian popstar to date. Also, I think it's worth mentioning that Sheila Kuehl, who played "The Many Loves of Dobby Gillis" character that inspired Velma, went on to be an open lesbian and Californian politician. Velma's blueprints are queercoded all over.

I’m really happy that Be Cool Velma got ranked #11, literally 2nd! It’s so good and seems so genuine. She seems awkward, a little bit of a know it all, but still genuinely loving mysteries and her role in the gang. It seems many over look her just because they don’t like the art style of the show. Thanks for genuine ranking and research of all of these, it was really entertaining and fun to watch, and I’m glad Be Cool Velma was ranked up there, it’s definitely my favorite of her. Amazing work!!

Nicole Jaffe and Mindy Cohn are untouchable as Velma. Linda Cardellini is my favorite as she did an iconic job for the live action. 💝

one thing about the scooby-doo that I feel that the Mindy Kaling show destroyed is the relationships between all of them, I reason I liked the characters is that they were all different but they didn't let their differences come between them being friends it actually made their bond stronger, when I saw clips of Velma (2023) of Velma and Daphne hating eachother it doesn't really work in my opinion

I'll always have a soft spot for Linda's Velma

I would say that the actual reason for the change in tone of the first live action movie was due to the recent failure of the adult-oriented Jossie and the Pussycats live-action remake, especially considering that the movie was clearly edited rather than rewritten and several elements of the origina R-rated version like the plunging necklines still remain in the end product.

A little disappointed you didn’t mention Marcie from Mystery Inc . Voiced by Linda Cardellini herself, she becomes an increasingly important character /person to Velma over the course of the series.

A Pup Named Scooby Doo is my absolute favorite, the Linda Cartellini second, and Myster Incorporated third!

“I think most Indian-American girls when they see this *skeptical*, *hardworking*, *kind of unappreciated character* can *identify with her* As an Indian, I’m completely baffled that someone could actually say this. When I had only seen that part where Velma wore that shiny top to school I really said: *Nope, that’s enough RU-vid for today!* And didn’t look at RU-vid for the next whole day. So no Mindy, us Indians don’t even put ourselves on the same level as yourself- I mean your version of Velma

I love how it opens with two Velmas arguing. Genius.

I want you to do Daphne next! Linda Cardellini , Mindy Cohn and B.J Ward are my favorites.

I think my favorite versions would be the 90's direct to video (dtv) Velma, and the original live action Velma. The dtv movies were something I grew up on, with Zombie Island scaring me (in the best way possible) because it wasn't some greedy realtor or disgraced figure in town in a mask. And the original live action movies just sort of...fit the bill for me as a kid. Seeing the characters come to life, to not just be cartoons, was amazing to me, because little 6 year old me didn't know that could happen. I saw the original series before anything, and yeah, I enjoyed it. But not like the movies I mentioned. Though, I will say, without seeing the source material first, I probably wouldn't have loved the movies as much, just because I wouldn't have had a sort of build-up to the more "frightening" (that's how I saw them at the time) plots.

I really love Linda Cardellini's version of Velma. While still incredibly intelligent and genius, she was also shown to have emotional insecurities and desired to be seen as a whole person with feelings, not just for her brain.

This video was SO fun! I grew up with Scooby, and the franchise still has a major place in my heart. You should do the same concept, but for Daphne. She's my favorite member of the gang, and she's had so many different interpretations throughout all of the movies and shows. My personal favorite versions are Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mary Kay Bergman, and Grey Griffin from Mystery Incorporated, What's New, and Be Cool

There was also a Scooby Doo fan movie that was a kickstarter project back in 2020, I believe. It was stalled because of the pandemic but I think they finished it and it’s available to watch now. I haven’t watched it but there was a lot of promo for it so would love to know what you think of that project!

Kate Micucci is so underappreciated. Her recurring role on Raising Hope is so sweet and funny, and Garfunkel and Oates had some bangers. She honestly could have played a live action Velma and killed it.

I grew up on Mindy Cohn and Kate Micucci as the voice of Velma in the 2000s/2010s shows and movies, so I have more of an attachment to those characters, with Mystery Inc. Velma being the most memorable. I also really like B.J. Ward's Velma, she's just so sweet 😊

Mystery Incorporated is great because it had that tension between Velma and Hot Dog Water, who was voiced by Linda Cardellini!

THE original mystery incorporated IS THE ALL time BEST..NOW I want to watch some freaking Scooby doo

I didn’t really care for a Pup Named Scooby’s Velma because she tended to hold off on information until the reveal, sometimes information you’d have no idea of knowing. “That piece of the monster’s costume that fell off of them, well I did a chemical analyses of it off screen and figured out it was fake.” Of course, anything compared to Velma the tv show looks like a masterpiece now.

I looove sassy Velma. And Mindy Cohn is my favorite voice actress with Nicole. Replacing her with Kate is still one of my biggest pet peeves. Kates voice is just way to nerdy and annoying for Velma. And Velma 2022 is just awful. It’s literally being adult and edgy just to be adult and edgy. ScoobyNatural and zombie island are great examples on how to be good and dark

I personally really liked Hayley Kiyoko’s Velma. She was so freaking cute!

I have never viewed Fred as a “stereotypical white guy” though.. I just find him goofy and charming. Growing up.. I actually identifies with Velma (even though don't look like her).. for the longest time until she became a character that “for sure Indian-American women can relate to”. Seems like they made the character not inclusive at all -.- Idk where this thing about that a character MUST look like you to relate to them.. I find race swapping in ANY race racist when it just want to be relatable to the race it swapped in :(

Linda will always be my favorite Velma. Do different versions of Daphne next

My main problem with race bending is how lazily it’s often done. Some companies I won’t mention seem to think changing a character’s race and then basing their entire personality around that one thing counts as character building. I don’t know about you, but I feel like people of color deserve well thought out characters rather than empty gestures.

I never even knew the Scooby gang were teenagers until 2011 when I was still in highschool. Since I was a kid, I thought the Scooby gang were adults.

rankings start at 35:30

I would love to see a video ranking different movie adaptations of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet soon.

This was a really well done historical retrospective of Scooby Doo and specifically Velma’s incarnations! Linda Cardellini and the Mystery Incorporated Velma are definitely my top versions. But I also love Pup named Scooby Doo Velma - if they had actually followed through with only having her say Jinkies! that would have made her even more iconic.

The funny thing is that Linda Cardellini was in Mystery Incorporated but she played Hot Dog Water, a side character and anti-hero who becomes Velma's love interest. (I know it's subtle, but it's pretty obvious.) Also live-action Shaggy played Mystery Inc Shaggy.

Sarah Gilman was not wearing a wig. That was her hair. Poor thing 😢

Hey, I know you aren't only a Disney RU-vidr, but could you make a vid on Lottie's (from Princess and the Frog) dresses? She has lots of pinky poofy things, but at the end has a very nice dark pink lowcut dress.

I feel so betrayed by the Velma series 😪 when it was announced with the poster with the bloody glasses I was SO invested! A more mature Velma dealing with real mysteries and murders sounds sooo cool in paper and kinda fits her really well. Needless to say I was very disappointed

My favorite is Mistery Incorporated series from 10's Velma, the one that had a crush in Shaggy. My second place is the Kid Velma from a Puppy Named Scooby Doo. My Third Place is the Classic Velma

Unpopular opinion: I actually really like Scrappy Doo 😂😂

I love these types of videos from you. I know they take lots of effort, but it's definitely worth it. I didn't realise there were so many iterations!

This is so well researched! Great job

HBO: we have an edgy and smart Velma. Truly quality. James: Define quality.

i love ur velma inspired look in the intro

This was a well thought out video. You obviously did your research, it was easy to understand, and it was the perfect length. 10/10. ❤

Always a nice surprise when you upload, love your content. ❤️😊

Scooby-Doo is one of my favorite cartoons from Hanna-Barbera, I also love the live action adaptation. You should make a video ranking Daphne's outfits.

aww What's new Scooby-Doo will always be my favourite cause it's the one I grew up with🥰 (also the intro of it is a complete bop) but still I agree that that version of Velma wasn't as well developed as other ones! Linda Cardellini's version was great

The creators of Mystery Incorporated also wanted that Velma to be gay, but the execs said no. Take a look at her relationship with Hot Dog Water: they're basically two teens who don't know they're in love yet.

I LOOOOVEEEEE your ranking videos, so much fun to watch🧡❤️🧡❤️🧡❤️

you need to do one for daphne. she is the girly girl of the group, and that is your schtick!

I’d totally love for u to a video for each character. This video was so good

a pup named scooby doo holds a very special place in my heart because it was my absolute favorite show as a kid at one point. i hated missing it and often would stay up late to catch reruns. i loved each character, but if all velma said was "jinkies" i think i'd hate the character and eventually the show. you didn't really see smart girls on televison back then which always made velma so cool and an inspiration. a character who can only say one thing is a joke and making the smart girl a joke character would basically say that girls being smart are jokes, because like that would ever happen. i'm glad that the story writers fought against that idea, otherwise the character and the show would be so much worse.

I’m only the most casual of casual fans but my favorite animated Velma is the one from the first few animated direct-to-video, BJ Ward’s Velma. I especially like her crush on the writer guy in The Witch’s Ghost. But Linda Cardelini is my favorite live action. She did such a good job and I love that she got more focus in the second film. That said, I didn’t know that Scoob! existed before now and it has a real chance of becoming my favorite once I see it.

SHE CAME BACK!!!

This is amazing you did a great job I think! I hope you do a similar video about Daphne too!

I really got emotional over this video..really remember laughing over every episode

I'm surprised you didn't mention that Velma was supposed to be gay in Mystery Incorporated and that's why her relationship with Shaggy was so toxic. Later it's implied that she and another character named Marcy end up dating, and the creator even confirmed this.

I'm sure such a video is in the works, but I would love to see a follow up to this video covering Daphne.

your velma-inspired fit looks so good even better than the live action velmas 😍

Loved Be Cool Scooby Doo's portrayal of Velma. Her chemistry with Fred was very funny too.

it's such a shame that the animation and visual style of the velna show are actually good, it makes the bad choices even worse because all the artists work seem wasted on something people are bound to hate

Some coworkers of mine were upset by the Velma show's raceswapping because Daphne was the pretty pale-skinned Asian, and Velma was the frumpy dark-skinned Asian, and they thought it was implying that Velma's dark skin was undesirable. Great Unifier indeed. 😭

i see scooby doo / moderngurlz videos i click YASSSS

Honestly, I don't think the 2023 Velma should be #12 - it should be number #13. It's that bad.

Fun fact Linda Cardelinni as Velma is the part of the cast of Avengers Age of Ultron and Avengers Endgame, she played as Hawkeye's wife and she attended Iron Man's Funeral, RIP Tony... And I need credit to Hayley Kiyoko as well, the live action Velma is fantastic and realistic

I was obsessed with Mystery Incorporated, honestly. I can’t remember the plot but man did I love it

People weren’t mad cause Mindy just changed their race, the reason she changed them was just to make herself “Velma” and to use Fred as an excuse to make fun of white people

Linda is fantastic in her role I can't imagine other actress at the time to play her.

I would give everything to see the original cut of Gunn's vision

I'm so happy that Be Cool, Scooby-Doo getting recognition it actually deserves! This one and Mystery Inc. are the ones that were actually different in the best way possible and deserved to be renewed

Quality content as always

I love this kind of videos

Nicole Jaffe and Mindy Cohn will always be my favorite, since Nicole introduced the character and Mindy gave her the best personality ever (which is still somehow disliked by some people). Tbh Velma in Mystery Inc. was SUCH A mood/vibe, and with the spooky tone that the mystery inc. had - it worked out perfectly, i hope Mindy Cohn return’s as Velma some day, since Nicole sadly can’t. Pat was controversial since she could’ve been good but she didn’t try enough!

I'm really glad you gave 2010 Mystery Incorporated Velma a good rating. When it comes to being meddling teenagers, I think Mystery Inc. captured that aspect of the characters the best. It made the characters feel like they're actual teenagers which helped me relate a lot better when I was younger. It was a very impactful and well-thought out take on edgy teen drama while delivering a fantastic, sinister, bone-chilling story on mystery at the same time. In my opinion, it's one of the best incarnations of Scooby-Doo and it still holds up to this day!~

I think the mystery incorporated one the one where Fred’s a badass that jumps on planes going down the runway is the best that one Velma was in line with character while also doing a good job of maintaining that she’s still a teenage girl

Mystery Incorperated Velma will always be a sass queen to me 👑

I love all your videos like this one. Can you do the rest of the gang please.

All of them except Mindy Kaling's version

Mindy Cohn will always be my favorite. Being born in late nineties she's the Velma I grew up with with What's New Scooby Doo, and she continued to voice the character for the next 13 years making her the longest-running a voice for her. She's also the voice in Mystery Incorporated which is my favorite Scooby-Doo series

Wish you had a little section of honorable mentions...I Loved Velma from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back 😂