Hills (2004) lists a number of defining characteristics of cult TV that contain similarities to the defining characteristics of Pop Genres. Can you identify these and discuss why you think that these characteristics are repeatedly viewed as underpinning popular genres?
Cult TV takes an extraordinary person/place/experience and turns into something if not ordinary then at least believable. It relies on the audience accepting and understanding some of the key concepts that make the show unique and trusting the plausibility of the shows narrative.
Cult TV also attracts its viewers by portraying close character relationships that grow stronger due to the knowledge and understanding of the characters’ extraordinariness. Love stories which never fully develop are also brought into the storyline to make the characters seem more human despite the unique situations they have to deal with on a daily basis.
Cult TV is largely popular due to the fact that it deals with complex issues that both stem from everyday life and from problems that are out of this world. For the most part the major narrative questions remain unanswered, therefore leaving the audience to create their own ending or leaving them something to ponder over.
These characteristics underpin popular genres as the audience - as in the case of Buffy – wants to be the girl that can kick evil in the butt if it is lurking around the corner. They also want to know the answers to the questions that are being asked in the narrative and whether there can actually be a happy ending. Essentially a fan of popular genres is curious and willing to believe the impossible could happen, and that a supposedly ordinary person could be a superhero.
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 integral part in the construction of Cult TV as without their passion or maybe even fixation to a certain programme or series, the programme or series could not be defined as ‘cult’. Due to the mania for a certain show fans create a base for other media to stream from the show’s success. For example in the case of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the series has lead to an online Buffy comic strip, a series of books as well as various on line sites dedicated to fans of Buffy.
Due to their passion, fans themselves are known to form ‘Appreciation Societies’ and also to organise conventions where they can meet and discuss their shared interest. As stated by Hills (2004) ‘Fans also produce commentaries, Fan fiction, episode guides and production histories...’ These are produced to continue the fashion that fans have created by wanting more information on the show and interaction with others who watch it. This leads on to the production of ‘memorabilia, merchandise and props that relates to their much loved TV shows’ (Hills 2004).
Media plays a central part in this as most fan based activity that can be done by meeting face-to-face can also be done online. People can gather at conventions or meet in an online chat room to discuss their favourite shows. They can also buy merchandise online or in a shop and post interpretations and guides on a website or in paper form. This is just to name a few; media is a powerful tool in creating a ‘Cult TV’ market, without which the status of ‘Cult TV’ would not be where it is today.
Some good responses Rizwana - the first discussion question in a sense is asking you to revisit the introductory Power Point slide for Pop Genres which establishes a number of defining criteria for Popular Genres and discuss what these have in common with the criteria for cult TV.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think is meant by "whether there can actually be a happy ending"?
Also, don't foget to continue referencing the texts you're using to develop your discussion (esp in response 1), and include page numbers in the reference when you quote something directly.
The criteria that pop genres have in common with Cult TV include the structure of the show which in most cases revolves around a recurring theme. As in the case of 'Buffy' the story revelves around her trying to both cope with being a teenager as well as being a slayer. In each segment 'Buffy' manages to triumph over evil however there is always more evil waiting around the next corner.
ReplyDeleteAnother similarity is the aspect of creating something new for the audience. Both Cult TV and Popular genres push the boundaries of convention in order to create new genres and more exciting and fresh entertainment.
Both Cult TV and popular genres deal with complex issues and often use other worldly settings in order to create an interesting backdrop for the viewer where the theme may otherwise seem ordinary.
I think in Cult TV and popular genres a happy ending is relative. In most cases the main issue in the story remains unresolved however the main character/s accepts their fate. I think for the most part the happy ending is learning to live with oneself and to deal with with the issues that need to be faced on a daily basis.