Mon. May 25th, 2026
Spread the love

HBO and Mindy Kaling’s disastrous Scooby Doo reboot Velma is now third-worst rated TV show in IMDB history, with a score of just 1.3/10
Velma, which explores the backstory of the beloved animated character, has been panned by critics who say the new show lacks the charm of the original
Terrible audience ratings following the release of just FOUR episodes of the new HBO show have now left it the third-worst rated show in IMDB history
Critics say the teen characters are ‘unlikeable’, ‘oversexualized’, and altered beyond recognition from their original cartoon predecessors

Mindy Kaling’s panned Scooby Doo spin-off Velma is now the third worst rated TV show in IMBD history, having aired just four episodes of its first season.

The TV show is marketed as the origin story of Velma Dinkley – played by Kaling – who is described in the tag-line as ‘the unsung and underappreciated brains of the Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. gang’.

While touting itself as an ‘original and humorous spin,’ many fans believe the spin-off has strayed too far from the source material, with characters described as ‘unlikeable’ and ‘oversexualized’ teenagers.

While the show garnered a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 11 percent following its premier, the latest two episodes have seen it fall even further to just 6 percent. On IMDB, the show has a 1.3/10 rating – making it the nearly the worst reviewed TV program ever.

Scooby-Doo spin-off ‘Velma’ has been ripped into for its poor recreation of the beloved mystery-solving foursome – now ranked as the third WORST show ever by IMBD
+9
View gallery
Scooby-Doo spin-off ‘Velma’ has been ripped into for its poor recreation of the beloved mystery-solving foursome – now ranked as the third WORST show ever by IMBD

Velma or Mindy: some viewers have complained that Kaling inserted herself into the show rather than telling the ‘origin story of Velma Dinkley,’ as the logline claims
+9
View gallery
Velma or Mindy: some viewers have complained that Kaling inserted herself into the show rather than telling the ‘origin story of Velma Dinkley,’ as the logline claims

IMBD’S Worst rated TV shows
1. The Pogmentary (1.1/10)

An Amazon documentary that is a ‘glimpse into the life of Paul Pogba, the influential world-class French footballer.’

2. Iste Bu Benim Masalim (1.2/10)

A Turkish musical romance about a girl who ‘has strong feelings, is dreamer and different from everyone else.’

3. Velma (1.3/10)

The much-critiqued HBO Max show that reimagines the Scooby Doo gang and stars Mindy Kaling as the voice of Velma.

4. A Little Late with Lilly Singh (1.4/10)

The NBC late night talk show ran for just three seasons, from 2019 to 2021. The YouTuber was unable to win over audiences as a talk show host.

5. Santa Inc. (1.6/10)

The 2021 comedy starring comedians Sarah Silverman and Seth Rogen was another HBO Max original animated project that did not get a laugh from viewers.

6. Final Draft (2.3/10)

The 2022 web series is about ‘two young writers, met by destiny who eventually fell in love with each other in an old-school romantic manner.’ No one is swooning over the show.

7. The View (2.5/10)

The ABC morning panel talk show has been running since 1997 when it was created by Barbara Walters. The show’s strong opinions often rubs viewers the wrong way.

8. Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (2.5/10)

The TLC reality show about a pageant child’s family ran from 2012 to 2017 and was a cultural phenomenon but didn’t always rate well.

9. Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2.8/10)

The famous Calabasas California clan has been keeping things interesting since 2007. While they’re now stars off the screen, viewers have not always been kind.

10. Rasbhari (2.8/10)

The Amazon show is about an English teacher with a ‘sex obsessed alter-ego.’ Despite low ratings it has been running since 2019.

The many critics of the show claim characters have lost any semblance of their original personalities – with Fred depicted as a rich kid insecure in his own masculinity; Daphne as school mean girl who deals drugs; and Shaggy as a nerd worried he’s a beta male.

Another big complaint is that the new characters are simply unappealing protagonists – who don’t even seem to like each other very much.

As one reviewer wrote: ‘One of the best parts of SD is the gang’s sense of family and friendship. They love each other. The new Velma show is appalling to change that core relationship.’

The two other TV shows ranked lower than Velma on IMBD are The Pogmentary – a documentary about footballer Paul Pogba – which comes in at 1.1/10, and Iste Bu Benim Masalim – a show about the rise of a Turkish teen star – which has a 1.2/10 rating.

In IMBD’s reviewing system, 1 is the lowest available rating – putting Velma just 0.3 points above the minimum score.

Velma’s disastrous reception and poor reviews comes in sharp contrast to another recent spin-off TV show with a spunky female heroine and high-school setting: Netflix’s record-breaking Wednesday.

By admin

You missed

From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.