What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?
Hills (2004) suggests that cult status is a combination of the text itself, inter-texuality, and fan base, he then goes on to explore each of these theories. When I think of cult TV, the intense audience loyalty is one of its stand out features, and before this reading would have thought was the defining feature. Hills states that when intense fandom exists, the show becomes important to their lifestyles and identities. Fans may partake is various activities beyond just watching the show, which further integrates the show into their lives. Hills states that there are three main ways that fans raise shows to cult status. Firstly they inter-texualise their show, referencing other shows. They also use the word cult when describing their show. Thirdly they create a sense of community through conventions, blogs, fan fiction etc, in which they actively participate in the analysis of the TV show. They also buy memrobilia. I saw on a website that t shirts can be bought saying ‘the singing cult of Buffy.’ This is in particular reference to the episode, ‘Once more, with feeling.’ Thus is somewhat of a reward for being a loyal audience member, and an inside joke for other fans.
Hills (2004) argues that cult TV is not profoundly affected the internet, however with blogging and fan fiction being so accessible is is easier for fans to find each other and converse. It makes it easier for them to communicate. I can imagine with the use of iPhone and iPad with their constant access to the internet would only result in more talk over these cult TV shows. I have seen on facebook people arguing over the merits of True Blood vs. Vampire Diaries, which means not only do fans of the shows participate in fandom through social networks, but their friends who are not necessarily fans of the show become more aware of the fandom that these shows have.
References:
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.
Redbubble (2011). Redbubble. Retrieved from http://www.redbubble.com/people/thisisjoew/t-shirts/7226935-singing-cult-of-buffy?p=t-shirt
Another excellent blog Rachel - you reference to the t-shirt is great (nice pic)as is your discussion of facebook. In fact i would argue like you of the centrality of fan practices for the constitution of a particular series as cult - more so than the other texts described by Hill (2004). The article in a sense is somewhat out of date - as new media practices increasingly take over the fanworld. Good stuff.
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