Week 9&10

Q. What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?

Fans play important roles in Cult TV. If there is not any fan of cult TV, the word ‘cult’ cannot be called. Hill (2004) mentioned that cult TV does not require fans’ special devotion, but their existence is very essential part of cult TV.

Fans’ enthusiasm begins to make their societies, ‘Appreciation Societies.’ Through this, they meet each other face to face and talk about their interest in programmes or shows. Even they organise conventions where they can meet each other, discuss on the themes and share their thoughts.

Nowadays, media has been extended, which has been helpful to extend appreciation societies. Fans do not regard the shows that they love as only one of TV shows. They can enjoy the shows that they love by using various methods. Their societies can be divided into three parts. Firstly, by increasing fans who love the programmes, cult TV programmes make props memorabilia, merchandise and props that related with the programmes (Hill, 2004). Secondly, fans can read the shows because a series of cult TV shows are published as book series. Moreover, DVD and video series are also made to watch it whenever they want. Finally, there is internet, which is the strongest method now. Most fans have written commentaries, guidance and explanations online. Moreover, they post their opinions on their blogs. Even they write fan fiction, which is that they imagine what it goes like writers. In addition, they can buy products which are related with the shows through online shopping without visiting to shops. It there were not media, the status of cult TV would not be popular as now.

 Audience of TV programmes was very passive before. However, now people who want to express their opinions about the shows have been increased. Not only the audience but also the programmes want to interact with the audience. For this interaction, media has played an effective role.

Reference

Hill, 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.