What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?
I think new media is central to the construction on cult TV, without fan chat rooms, blogs and fan fictions, the hype of certain shows would cease to exist without the cultism of these television shows. New Media is specific in the growth of popularity and knowledge of cult TV and I think it helps to spread the recognition of these shows. Hills (2004) expresses that “considering what loyal, dedicated fans of cult TV do to express and indicate their fandom, suggesting that cult status arises, ultimately, through an audiences passion for the show.” Hills, p.510. I think that the practices the fan engage in solely depend on the status of the show through fan activity.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for example has become cult TV. 'Buffy' being an extremely popular TV show, has created some die hard fans, both male and female. I can see how 'Buffy' became so popular. When I was younger I used to watch it when it was on TV, it was so exciting and new, most of my friends loved it, even though we were definitely to young and shouldn’t have been watching it. The fact that the show easily portrayed vampires in everyday setting and created characters that the audience can relate to, greatly helped in the popularity of the show. As well as introducing a new concept never before shown on TV, by including vampires and demons. I still remember how much I loved it and would love to get back into it. Also the character 'Willow' is now in my favourite TV show 'How I Met Your Mother' as 'Lily', I think it is great seeing her in a completely different role.
I agree with Hills views on what role the fans play in the subject of cult TV. The audience is vital when it comes to cult TV, without it their would furthermore be no such thing as cult TV. Hills states “claiming that cult TV can be neither made nor promoted as such by the media industry, but instead hinges vitally on audience take-up and devotion.” Hills, p.510.
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.
Cool post. However, like I said in Bex's post, fan is not the definite factor deciding the status 'cult TV' of a show (Hills, 2004). Well, vital but not the strongest factor out there :)
ReplyDeleteWow, interesting point of view at the impact which fandoms play in the progress of cult works. I agree with your view that highly devoted or obsessed fans affect the progress of a show. I also see Simon's point where shows don't entirely depend on those audiences - ratings is another factor & duration of those shows are unpredictable unless there's a solid backing. I dunno, something like that.
ReplyDeleteA good initial response and you are correct that 'hype' is an important factor in establishing the (cult) success of a TV series - and that new media fan practices can generate hype. However while your description of your personal enthusiasm for Buffy is interesting, you don't really explain how this is related to new media or more generally how new media might have hyped a particular series.
ReplyDeleteHi guys thanks for the comments, Darryl i just read over my post and realised i didn't write about new media for some reason but the whole post is based on fans contact through the internet. I completely forgot to put that in there though.. whoops!
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