Week 9

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

Hills (2004) discusses how fans are involved in the shift of particular TV programs to their new status of cult TV by way of arranging TV programs into an intertextual network. Fans also contribute to the a TV program gaining its cult status through their involvement in appreciation societies and conventions which may eventuate into annual events that take place in the same venue resulting in the fans and their fandom activities being more highly visible and therefore easily stereotyped and depicted in media coverage (Hills, p. 519). Furthermore Hills (2004, p. 519) describes how the enthusiasm of fans results in the creation of a market for memorabilia, merchandise and props which are associated with their idolized TV shows and that fan interest in this cult TV paraphernalia continues on even once the shows no longer screen.

Wilcox & Lavery (2002) identify 9 defining characteristics of ‘quality TV’ – can you apply any of these to other television series that you have viewed recently? Are there any other characteristics that you could add to their list?

I would first like to quote Hills (2004, p. 522, line 1-2) “Defining cult TV as being either text- based, inter-textually activated or audience-led, forces what is actually a dynamic process of emergence into a conceptual straitjacket”
Secondly Hills (2004) discusses how it takes for a TV show to gain cult status and this comes about as a result of audience routines, repeat viewings and orchestrated fandoms among other things.
I myself struggle to place a TV show that I have watched recently into the cult status category so I will go out on a limb here and propose that the TV series “The Big Bang Theory” does contain many of the 9 characteristics which Wilcox & Lavery suggest define quality TV.
The Big Bang Theory is a comedy which has many writers of some of whom have been involved in the writing of very successful shows….
Bill Prady (co- creator, executive producer) writer and producer on Dharma & Greg & at age 22 went to work for Jim Henson (The Muppets) also did freelance writing for sitcom Married with Children.
Lee Aronsohn (executive producer) co created Two & a Half Men, writer and producer of Grace Under Fire and Cybill. First job as TV writer for The Love Boat.
Richard Rosenstock writer for Happy days, Laverne & Shirly and Mork & Mindy.
The list goes on…..(10 plus writers)
While the series is young it does have a memory and often refers back to events of past episodes.
The show also deals with real issues which viewers can connect with eg relationships and their trials and tribulations. Along with this the show approaches topics such as religion, race, culture, sexual orientation and even circumcision. For example there are characters that are Jewish, Staunch Christian, Hindu and Atheist.
The main character of The Big bang Theory Sheldon (Jim Parsons) has a large following online and his catch phrase” Bazinga” is now printed on T-shirts and can be purchased at Comic –Con International.
Here is a URL for TV Guide which lists the top 30 cult TV shows of all time; The Big Bang Theory is not listed perhaps it is too big or too young.

References

Hills, M. (2004). Defining Cult TV; Inter-texts and Audiences, The Television Studies Reader, R.C. Allen & A. Hill. London and New York: Routledge.

Wilcox, R. Lavery, D. (2002). Introduction, in R. Wilcox & D. Lavery (eds). Fighting the forces: what’s at stake in Buffy the vampire slayer. Lanham: Rowan and Littlefield.

http://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239.aspx