What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?
Hills believes that the fans are what define cult TV. He suggests the role that fans play within this genre is that they control what happens within the show(s). Fans work within this role is varied. The fans all work together in helping the producers and writers to know what to do/write next. These fans produce magazines, online groups and organize real life events. Producers and writers look out for these events and activites; it helps them to find new ways to work with their fan base. Secondly, the fans play the role of having control in cult TV by giving a reason to have memorabilia - something which helps to keep a cult show going. "fans of cult TV create a market for memorabilia, merchandise and props that relates to their much-loved TV shows" (Hills, 2004, p.519). Buffy the Vampire Slayer has a cult following with some extremely devoted fans, even with the show ending back in 2003, websites related to the show still continue to have many views from these fans (such as buffyworld.com) Thirdly, the fans of cult TV are extremely active viewers. These fans will not just watch a show because it's 'the only thing on', they make time to watch the show be involved with it during and after. It could be said to be the 'highlight' of their day watching their cult show. Lastly the way these fans play their role in the construction of cult TV is through their sheer love for the creators work. "proper fandom exists when an enthusiasm for some cultural object or other takes on . . . a totalizing, defining role in people's lifestyles and identities" (Grispund, 2002, p.119).
Fans heavily rely on new media, causing it to be central in the construction of cult TV. "The concept that new methods of communicating in the digital world allow smaller groups of people to congregate online and share, sell and swap goods and information. It also allows more people to have a voice in their community and in the world in general" (PCmag, n.d). Fans function through new media. The writers and producers thrive off of this - it helps them to construct their shows. To expand on my first point in the previous paragraph, new media is counted as 'online groups' such as facebook pages, twitter and niche sites specified to a certain show. Shows become constructed from fans use of new media, especially twitter. Twitter enables the fans to project their opinions about a cult show on social media (New media) within seconds of the show airing and ending. (Chastine, 2012). To sum it up, new media is absolutely central to fans playing the role in the construction of cult TV.
References:
Chastine, L. (2012, June 21). 5 TV Shows with Twitter Hashtag #wins. Otto Pilot Media. Retrieved from http://ottopilotmedia.com/social-media/5-tv-shows-with-twitter-hashtag-wins/
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.
PCmag. (n.d). Encyolpedia; Definition of New Media. PCmag. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/47936/new-media
Thanks Monique. Great response. Just a note about your writing style - I like the way you incorporate academic writing and the more casual elements that are more common to blog-writing. Make sure, however, that you try to find citations (or at least give justifications) for any broad statements eg. 'The fans all work together in helping the producers and writers to know what to do/write next.' I agree with this and I understand what you mean. But, ideally this should be supported. Having said all this, I think this is a great response (I only bring it up because you are developing into a good writer and I would like to see you stretch yourself and continue to develop your skills). Yes, social networks like Twitter and Facebook are now playing a major role in fandom - something that has developed since the Hills article was written. Nice additional secondary texts too btw.
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