Harri - Week 9

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.

Hills (2004) describes hyperdiegesis as one of the characteristics of cult TV, this type of narrative form is an important element within cult TV, meaning that the importance of this fictional narrative lures the audience and viewer’s attention to the parallel universe where they can be a part of the society created by the show.  An example of this is the cult TV series of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer, here we see that this show is based on the genre of fantasy, where magic, powers, vampires and creatures are used to fabricate another world. Although ‘Buffy’ is set in a world of imaginative fiction involving magic and adventure, however the idea of reality and realism is hidden.

A great storyline and cast of characters in cult TV is what makes a good TV programme. ‘Lost’ is a thrilling example, characters are from all walks of life and sometimes you may think you know them or can read what kind of character they will turn out to be, but due to an event it’s the totally opposite. At first you wouldn’t expected ‘Lost’ to be like a fantasy based show, but when polar bears are roaming the island and thick spirited smoke killing people, the genre just fits. Again this is influenced by Hills (2004) theory of hyperdiegesis, questions about ‘lost’ that is left unanswered and the weird flash backs that don’t make sense, this leave the audience wanting more and even creating their own hypothesis of what’s more to come.

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

The fans play a crucial role in the construction of cult TV, because if there were lack of enthusiasm and obsession of particular TV programmes, ‘cult’ would not be established without its fans. Hills (2004), also implies that being a fan of cult TV doesn’t mean you have to show ‘special devotion’, but that cult TV is ‘centrally important to cult fans’. Most fans nowadays have turn to blogging online about favourite shows, writing commentaries and even creating fanfiction, where the fans become the writers as they say what goes. There is a lot of fan-based websites online, where you can buy merchandise or old videos and DVDs, which are no longer in store. This is why media is central to fan based activities.

With fans, the shows becomes their reality, whether it may be because the can relate to a character, or even if it’s a time to escape from the real world. The favourite show then becomes part of a group where the audience identifies similar themes and ideas that can associate with reality.