Velma took HBO Max by storm last month, setting the internet on fire (for better or worse). The adult animated comedy in the Scooby-Doo universe from Charlie Grandy stars Mindy Kaling as the titular “brains” of the Mystery Inc. gang and serves as her origin story. Velma also stars Constance Wu as Daphne, Sam Richardson as Norville, Glenn Howerton as Fred and Jane Lynch as Donna. 

Like all other iconic Scooby-Doo shows, Velma is full of callbacks, references and cameos. Here are some you might have missed in the first season, along with the exact moment in the episodes where you can spot them. 

The Creeper’s Mask, Episode 1, 00:32

The camera pans right past the Creeper’s mask during the opening scene. Originating from the 1970s Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode, this mask belonged to the iconic Mr. Carswell. This villain was also referenced in the 2010 series Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

Posters in Norville’s Room, Episode 2, 01:11

If you check the posters in Norville’s room, you’ll see two more iconic villains, Charlie the Robot and the ghost of Mr. Hyde. Both villains were originally from the 1970s Scooby-Doo. Charlie is one of the few villains that wasn’t a costume but an actual robot created by the memorable Mr. Jenkins.

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Groovy Orange Flowers, Episode 2, 01:15

While reporting on Fred’s imprisonment, a news anchor shows an ad for Jones’ Accessories for Men. At the end of the ad, we see each accessory with an orange flower resembling the ones on the iconic Mystery Machine. If you look closely, you’ll see Fred’s father also wears these flowers in every scene.

Norville holds a bag of shrimp chips and smiles while on a livestream on the TV show "Velma."

Photo courtesy of HBO Max

Norville’s Chat Room, Episode 2, 07:43

In Velma, Norville shares Shaggy’s love of food. We see this through a modern snack review channel where he streams himself eating snacks. During his stream in episode two, we get a peek at the chatroom and notice two users: Scrappy79 and Hexgrrlsfan. “Scrappy79″ is a direct reference to the Scrappy-Doo character that came out in 1979. “Hexgrrlsfan” refers to the recurring band in the Scooby-Doo franchise, the Hex Girls.

Daphne’s Drugs, Episode 2, 09:50

The second episode, “The Candy (Wo)man,” reveals Daphne is dealing drugs to raise money for an investigator. Two of the four drugs mentioned are “Zoinks” and “Jeepers.” “Zoinks” is Shaggy’s famous catchphrase, and “Jeepers” is Daphne’s. The third drug mentioned is “Mystery Machine,” a reference to, you guessed it, the Mystery Machine.

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Classic Velma, Episode 3, 01:02

While accidentally electrocuting herself, we glimpse the classic Velma look, complete with dot eyes, smooth hair and freckles. You gotta love a nod to the original version. 

Teen Angels as the Hex Girls, Episode 4, 08:30

Hiding in Daphne’s room, we find our second reference to the famous musical trio, the Hex Girls. They sport their usual looks, with a few minor changes in hair and skin tone. One key difference, however, is the phrase above the band, reading what appears to be the name “Teen Angels.” This could also reference the three teens in another show, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels. This wouldn’t be a big stretch, as these characters make frequent cameos in the Scooby-Doo realm.

Cyber Scooby Painting, Episode 4, 11:23

Once Fred has opened his eyes to inner beauty, he finds an appreciation for a painter at a park. The painting, a brown Great Dane with a red collar, looks awfully similar to Cyber Scooby from the movie Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase. This Scooby sported a red collar, much like the one in the painting.

Daphne stands with her hands on her hips while looking irritated with three high school band students standing behind her in the TV show "Velma."

Photo courtesy of HBO Max

Captain Caveman, Episode 5, 06:38

When it is revealed secret criminals are living under Crystal Cove in the mines, we learn they are committing their crimes in disguise. Not just any disguise, but full-on Captain Caveman costumes. In this universe, Captain Caveman is a mascot for the now-abandoned mines of Crystal Cove. However, in previous Scooby-Doo shows and his own show, he was the mascot of a separate mystery-solving group of teens: Teen Angels.

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Jetsons Photo Op: Episode 5, 10:11

The Jetsons are a futuristic family that was first introduced to the Scooby-Doo universe via a DC comics crossover in the now-concluded series Scooby-Doo! Team Up. In Velma, we see the family from the year 2062 in the form of costumes during one of Sophie’s photo shoots with her new daughter, Amanda.

S.C.O.O.B.I., Episode 6, 04:18

During a significant plot twist in episode six, we learn of a secret government initiative that revolves around stopping meddling kids. The initiative, abbreviated, is a reference to Scooby himself.

Ghost of Captain Cutler, Episode 6, 13:26

In episode six, we see Velma and her dad fishing during much-needed father-daughter time. However, instead of a fish, they catch a classic Scooby-Doo villain: the ghost of Captain Cutler, complete with his original glowing green look.

Fred looks shocked while standing in front of a pink and white background on the TV show "Velma."

Photo courtesy of HBO Max

Flintstones Photo Op, Episode 6, 13:37

Like the Jetsons, the Flintstones also had their own crossover comic with Scooby-Doo and are now featured in Velma via a family photo op. This time, it is with Daphne and her parents.

Jinkies, Episode 6, 22:08

Toward the end of episode six, we hear Velma say her classic phrase, “Jinkies,” as she reads it off a note. In the original series, she would usually utter this phrase when a clue emerged. 

Crazy Doors, Episode 7, 20:44

Chase scenes in long hallways are in abundance in the classic Scooby-Doo franchise. Usually, two or more characters go in one door, out another and bump into each other. Sometimes, with costume changes or other gags. Here, we see Fred and Norville in a carnival room of doors, playing out a classic chase scene.

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Mystery Van, Episode 8, 21:17

To escape a sticky situation, Velma and the gang use the “Mystery Jalopy” to flee. It shares a remarkable resemblance with the mystery van and could be an unpainted version.

Velma’s Original Shoes, Episode 9, 05:23

Velma is gifted a pair of shoes that closely resemble those worn by the classic Velma. You know the ones — the Mary Jane-esque red flats paired with her signature knee-high orange socks. 

Velma stands on a sidewalk in a city with a luggage on wheels on one side and a parked car on the other.

Photo courtesy of HBO Max

Fred’s Paint Job, Episode 10, 05:10

To be taken seriously as his father’s successor, Fred paints the family company’s logo on the aforementioned Mystery Jalopy. Though it doesn’t quite look like the groovy green van we know as the Mystery Machine, it is getting closer.

Love it or hate it, Velma is finding its place in the Scooby-Doo community with its tasteful use of callbacks and references. Did you catch these references? Are there nods we didn’t mention in this article? Let us know in the comments below!

Velma Season 1 is now streaming on HBO Max. 

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