I used to watch Buffy and a few other 'cult' type shows religiously (and still do..Supernatural), I could never get enough of Spike! When he wasn't following Buffy looking doe eyed and lost in head lights, AND when she wasn't beating the mancrap out of him he was actually the funniest and probably the coolest vampire to have ever graced the cemeteries of Sunnydale. I wouldn't exactly say I expressed "special devotion" (Hills, 2004, p.g 517) to the series, but I will say I watched perhaps 95% of the series in total. It was a really good series.
According to Hills (2004) cult fans are communities of people who all share the same passion and devotion for their favourite show(s). Hills asserts that fans have vast knowledge about the shows, the creation of simply because they watch the 'much loved' show repeatedly, again and again. The dinstinction of 'cult' status stems from text, inter-texuality and fan audience in which Hills goes on to analyze each individually. First is the intertextual networking of TV programmes; making reference to other shows, second they "self-consciously use the term 'cult'" when talking about their show, and lastly fans with an overwhelming appreciation to a particular series tend to create exclusive groups such as, fanzines, conventions like Armageddon held every year at ASB Showgrounds where fans 'dress' for the occassion, further solidifying their devotion for the character/show and into their lives. Such conventions have stalls saddled with a deluge of memorabilia which fans are also able to purchase items from cancelled shows. Or my fav; fanfiction, where characters from another 'cult' type show are fused with another to create a crossover. The flip side to such popularity is the danger of becoming targeted as a 'niche market' by mainstream media producers (Hills, 2002).
Booth (2010) states that, "fans both influence and are influenced by technology" and are "techno-literate" (p.g. 39). New media can be used to create (fanfiction) change (crossover fanfiction), it makes conversing with other fans easier, and allows room for fan appreciation through the creation of sites where episode scripts are re-written/posted; like this example of a Supernatural script, or this school production of Walk Through Fire, from Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It enables a community to become/stay alive.
References
Buffy "Walk Through The Fire' Stage Version. (n.d.). Retrieved October 3, 2011, from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWSWmjQKWkg&feature=related
Hills, M. (2004). Defining Cult TV; Texts, Inter-texts and Fan Audiences, The Television Studies Reader, in R.C Allen & A. Hill. London and New York: Routledge.
Hills, M. (2002). Fan Cultures. London and US and Canada: Routledge.
Supernatural: Slip & Shift. (n.d). Retrieved October 3, 2011, from Supernatural Fan Wiki: http://www.supernatural-fan-wiki.com/page/Supernatural%3A+Slip+%26+Shift
I think also a big part the fans play in the construction of cult tv, esp in Buffy is that the creator would go onto the new media sites like fanfiction or the comments on the official Buffy sites and he would see what the fans had wrote or a storyline they want to happen. Joss Whedon would then use some of them in his scrpits for Buffy, and he also told people this, making more people flock to fanfic sites so they too could give the creator some material. J.K Rowling also did this with Harry Potter. Thus really encouraged fanfictiona and fans participation.
ReplyDeleteI really struggle with a true clear definition of what cult tv can include. I see and understand the three defining factors as mentioned by Hills (2004) but I see a way for many many shows to fit into this definition ie F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Am I just being too vague in allowing nearly all shows to fit into this genre??
ReplyDeleteI guess my confusion lies with the audience participation and devotion - a this stage in the technological world nearly all shows have fan sites!
I agree with Jennifer, what are the elements that make up a cult tv? One of my favourite tv shows is The Oc and I know that still has a strong following, but during it's prime time reign of the silver screen it was very much a commercial success.
ReplyDeleteBut i think fan fiction does play an important role, as it would be good to know these big time Hollywood types, are taking the time to investigate the words of the litle folk. Although I don't share with you the same opinion of fan fiction, it would be good to know producers and writers are taking an avid interest in what the fans say and want.
Danni - That's almost like reality TV, but rather than texting someone off, you are participating for a preference of storyline. One way to draw the crowds in and involves fans in the creation and success of the series.
ReplyDeleteJennifer / Catherine - I can relate to that struggle. I think I had troubles because the fine line between reality tv, and cult tv are slightly blurred because couldn't reality tv be coined as cult tv also? Well I think so anyway. I know there are academic texts which argue otherwise, but we see on reality tv what we see on our favourite tv shows that sometimes portray real life issues. Rachael from friends had legions of fans flock to their nearest hair salon to get "the Rachael". I agree with your comment though, nearly all shows have fan sites.
Smallville has a website called Kryptonsite, and fans post fanfiction in the hopes producers hear their silent pleas for a storyline. For example, there was a push by fans for Chloe and Oliver to join forces and become a fighting duo. The snarky reporter with super powers and her super side kick. Well it didn't happen immediately, but after 4 seasons the pleas of the fans were heard and they got their wish. Something which the producers at a comic con convention for Smallville confessed having to done merely to thank the fans for their loyal. So yes, they do know and they do acknowledge fan interest, because without the fans there would be no show. In anycase Hills is dated and needs to be reviewed.