Hills (2004) lists a number of defining characteristics of cult TV that contain similarities to the defining characteristics of pop genres (e.g. fantasy, science fiction) discussed earlier in the Pop Genres paper. Can you identify these and discuss why you think that these characteristics are repeatedly viewed as underpinning popular genres.
According to Hill, there are 3 definitions of Cult TV. The first definition states that cult TV depends on texts, and these texts can be a variety of popular genres including sci-fi, fantasy, etc (Hills, 2004). What these cult TV texts have in common is that they have detailed and fantastic narrative worlds, show close non-romantic relationships, and do not provide viewers with narrative closure (Hills, 2004). A cult TV programme usually has one main question which is not answered, but always alluded to, and this is essential to the format of the show (Hill, 2004). This definition can be applied to other popular genres in that most shows are based around one single question, and over the course of the series, implores to seek an answer to said question. For example, who is the Doctor in Doctor Who? What is up with the island in Lost? Can Buffy save the world but also find true love? Etc.
The second definition is about how cult TV is viewed by the media, and how secondary texts provide insight into the primary text (Hills, 2004). They define cult as being fan-based, with fan zines, clubs, merchandise and conventions being an important part of cult “culture”. It also has to have something unusual about it which sets it apart from mainstream television (Hills, 2004). Other popular genres like sci fi, anime, comics and fantasy have similar definitions, and each have their own secondary texts such as Sci Fi magazine, Anime Insider, Fantasy magazine, etc. These genres have their own specific fan groups which seem to define the genre itself. The third definition is that cult TV depends on its audience. Fans of cult TV produce fan fiction, magazines, zines, websites, appreciation societies, and meet up at conventions (Hills, 2004). These activities is what keeps cult TV alive and makes it what it is. This is essentially the same for all popular genres, as mediums like comics, anime and sci-fi are very heavily fan-based.
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 fans of cult TV are not only are devoted to the TV show and take part in fan activities, but that cult TV shows can define them as people. The whole genre of cult TV was created because of the people, and not because of the content or genre. The word ‘cult’ even refers to people, more specifically, admiration or enjoyment of a particular entity. Hills (2004) states that there are a number of ways that fans make TV shows into cult TV. Firstly, cult TV fans arrange TV shows into an intertextual network, or, they converse about many different cult TV shows that tend to be weaved together in an intricate matrix. Secondly, fans use the term cult to describe certain shows, thus making them into cult programmes. Thirdly, fans of cult TV make appreciation societies and go to conventions, which creates a sense of community (Hills, 2004). Even though fans do occasionally meet up in real life, the main way for cult TV to communicate is via the internet. The Internet has played a pivotal role in the formation of cult TV, as it gives people an outlet to talk to others about cult shows, and these people have a tendency to discuss less mainstream shows which we would consider to be cult TV (Hills, 2004). I think that cult TV can be defined as being entirely about the fans and fan culture, so without the fans, cult TV would not have existed.
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.
Your views of cult TV fans are clear and easy to understand ! Great post :) I agree with your views of fans. Fan audience might the most important and essential part of not only to the pop genres but also the media. If people found their favored TV series, they become that cult TV’s fan audience. Fans review much-loved TV shows again and again so that they are able to produce commentaries and such detailed analyses of characters and productions. Fans and the media might have deep relationship in each field. That is why the media and other pop genres could be considered by its fan audiences.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Soo Yeon - interesting, well-written and clear summaries of the theoretical texts - which you've exemplified and developed with reference to other 'cult-TV' texts. The first discussion question is a difficult one and you've answered it well - tho it could have been useful to return to the defining features of Pop genre identified in the very first PP.
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