Weeks 9-10 Cult Televison

After reading Matt Hills Defining Cult television texts, inter-texts and fan audiences, I am increasingly interested in the idea of an ‘escapist reality’ A key characteristic in creating a ‘cult television show’ is the idea of ‘making fantastical worlds normal’ what intrigued me about this statement, is that almost like a novel, creating fantasy that we can relate to, or in someway escape into is somewhat of a necessity to human nature. It is as if we need to continue finding ways to escape reality, or rather than escape reality, but to subconsciously find ways to enhance reality. This is only idea, but I’m going to further explain this idea with this example ‘This transformation from exotic or extraordinary into homely/ordinary is, I would argue, one of the key ways the cult TV appeals to its audience over time.’ (Matt Hill, Pg51). The idea of injecting fantasy into reality, is also evident in Fantasy novels such as Harry Potter, and the C.S Lewis ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ although in the novels, the two worlds were divided and were passed through ‘portals’ or other forms of magical divides. The interesting thing about ‘Buffy’ is that she lived within the normal world, but fought abnormal creatures until the viewer began to consider it normal. I personally see this as a valediction of sorts as human beings are constantly either consciously or subconsciously curious of what we don’t know, how can we possibly be the only form of intelligence on planet earth? What is after death? And most importantly in reference to Buffy do supernatural creatures exist. Buffy provides almost a safe haven as such for the viewer to satisfy those questions, those fantasy, we are given a somewhat necessary world to escape to, to indulge in our imaginations. Fantasy Literature, Anime and comics provide this for the reader and ‘cult television’ is just another form of that need being addressed, although it is more effective because the viewer can watch as many episodes they choose, and whenever the please. The appeal of cult television is that it is a continuous narrative in which fans can constantly tune into.

Cult television offers their audience an in ‘detail’ experience of the different worlds that is created, instead of reading and imagining what the world’s fantasy authors. We are able to get in-depth detail of what the world looks like, what the characters act like, we are given a more stimulating experience of the world being created.

An interesting example of ‘Cult television’ playing on television now, would be that of ‘True Blood’ which seems to stand out amongst most of the ‘Cult T.V’ in today’s society. It shows direct influences from Buffy for example the main protagonist is a female who eventually finds out she is half ‘fae’ (fairy) the interesting thing about this character is that she embodies the cliché or typical ‘damsel in distress’ stereotype. She is small, blonde, and is seemingly innocent looking, yet when she is encounters mystical creatures such as Vampires, Shape shifters, Werewolves only to name a few, turns into a bad-ass, foul mouth, butt kicking heroine. Who without a doubt always ends up covered in blood. The difference though between True Blood and Buffy is that like all things in life, and time true blood is almost indefinitely an evolution in Cult Television as it delves in even further to human emotion and human psyche and desires. There is also an extremely erotic and sensual element to the series that satisfies human exploration. It is socially aware and has dealt with subject matter such as Religion, Same-sex relationships, Racism, Incest only to name a few. It appears as if no subject is Taboo, which makes it increasingly appealing and controversial.