Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Eden Jarrett

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

Fans play an essential role in developing and producing successful material for any form of media. Most forms of media are created for consumer demand; however some shows have a smaller and more dedicated following. This can be referred to as cult television. Cult television often portrays elements of other genres such as science fiction, fantasy, and horror and is very dependent on its audience. The following of these shows is what makes them differ from mainstream ones. The cult status arises from the passionate activity of the audience, in which they become very committed to a single show and its characters. Through this these people often find people with the same interests creating a small community in which they can share their interest. Together these communities try to keep the fan culture alive, as it becomes a very important component of their life (Hills, 2004).

Hills (2004) suggested that there are three ways in which fans and the media play a role in constructing cult television.  First he discussed how cult television creates an intertextual network in which fans communicate and participate in fan activities such as commentaries, fan fiction, and episode guides. Within the network fans are able to keep updated about the kinds of material being produced around their interests, and allows for them to discuss anything including films, comics, and books. The network allows for fans to do this, unknowingly creating a cult like culture. Some fans are actually self conscious to the term ‘cult’ (Hills, 2004). The dedication of television programs can be seen through the organization of Appreciation Societies, which is Hills (2004) next point. These societies are generated long after the show first airs, and allows for the most dedicated fans to gather and share their interests usually at annual conventions. This allows for fans from all over the world to meet and share their fandom. Through this, props and merchandise became both admired and demanded by fans. Whether or not shows are still aired, many of them have available materials which are still demanded by fans. The media has ensured that this phenomenon known as the market of memorabilia continues as this material is becoming readily available online. A good example of this is the television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, which aired in March 1997 and ran for six years until May 2003. The popularity of the show and the growth of a dedicated fan base meant that today, over ten years after the airing of the show it still has fans. The popularity of the series may be the reason for the increasingly common vampire related media sources (Buffy as a Cult Television, 2009). Media plays an important role in keeping cult television and this prominent fandom alive. Media typically promotes cult television, and especially cultivates new generations by allowing them to watch it in more places than TV. New media essentially allows easy access to these shows, while allowing them to share their favorite ones with each other. Hills (2004) stated that most fan activities happen not only in real life but online.

The fandom of cult television in some cases becomes more of an obsession than an interest. Hills (2004) stated than the engagement of fans position cult television as a grassroots phenomenon, assuming it is creating more by its fans than its producers. Typically, no matter how good something is written or filmed, if it does not connect with an audience there is no market for it and it will be forgotten. Thus, cult television depends on fans and the media influences on them.

Buffy as Cult Television (2009). Retrieved 9 September, 2009 from: http://culttvbuffy.wordpress.com/2009/06/0 3/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/

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.