What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?
Hill suggests that Cult TV is combined by the text itself, inter-textuality and fan base. Before Hill's reading I wasn't really sure on what Cult TV was all about but felt a bit more at ease when he defined it as "a group of texts, often hailing from the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror" (p 509). When I think of Cult TV I think of fans and their practice of fandom. Hill states that when intense fandom exists, a show can become important to a persons life and their identity. I was pleased to read this as I do this often with the show 'The Vampire Diaries' and 'TrueBlood'. I also have a Vampire Diaries T-Shirt and all the seasons on DVD (just to show how much of a fan I really am).
Cult TV watches are not of a passive audience, they like to get involved and express how they feel about the show. Some involve themselves even more by attending social gatherings about certain shows e.g the Vampire Diaries Club on Facebook and contribute to online fan-fiction sites. With the development of new technology such as blogs and social media sites fans of Cult TV can blog and discuss with others their love about characters, situations and experiences on the show. The Internet has made it easier for "fans to contact other like-minded devotees" As Hills states "cult status arises, ultimately, through an audiences passion for a TV show" (p.510). The fans who are the audience for these show are generally more avid and higher in participatory. Hills believes the benefit of Cult TV allows fans to write fan fiction as there is a big enough gap in the narrative as it is based around "format-defining and an endless narrative" unlike in soap operas.
In conclusion Hills agrees with the idea that "fans arguably create cult status in a number of ways" (p518) and with new media fans are able to really involve themselves emotionally into the show.
Hills, M. (2004) Defining Cult TV; Texts, Inter-Texts, and Fan Audiences, The Television Studies Reader. In R.C. Allen and A Hill. London and New York. Routledge.
I typed this into Microsoft word and then pasted it in, don't know why it is highlighted? Sorry guys.
ReplyDeleteNice and simple to understand! I, myself, have covered this question, and in comparison to yours I feel like my response is a little visually cluttered with words. I agree that the internet has made the connection between fans so much easier and convenient. Thanks for your post, Hannah!
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