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 (the foundation) popular genres.
Hills (2004), has listed three ways of defining Cult TV. These characteristics can be defined through textual analysis, analysis of secondary texts or inter-texts and the analysis of fan practices and activities.
According to Hills (2004) “cult TV is best thought of as a group of texts, often hailing from the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror.” For example, in our AUT screening of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Good Bye Iowa, a popular cult TV classic, portrays many Sci-fi characteristics such as the military operations with advanced weaponry and equipment. This episode also contains and monster that is create from science (much like Frankenstein) using different monster parts to produce a super being that is more powerful than ever. Cult TV can also be “characterized by a number of shared textual attributes: it constructs immensely detailed, often fantastic, narrative worlds which we as viewers can never fully encounter” (Hills 2004)(pg.511). This suggests that cult texts can be well known “for their expansive narrative worlds” (Hills 2002: 137).
The second way Cult TV can be defined is through secondary texts or inter-texts. Secondary texts are journalistic writings about the programme which can help to “promote the circulation of selected meanings of the primary text” (Hills, 2004). The way in which the media portray a TV programme can ultimately affect the audience. Programmes such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Doctor Who are all discussed in the UK cult TV Guide ‘Cult Times’ (which is a monthly magazine). Hills (2004 pg. 510) go on to say that “cult TV is not predominantly a matter of programmes themselves or audiences: rather, it is constructed through how inter-texts….which activate the meanings and associations of ‘cult’ for audiences by attaching this label to certain programmes.” These inter-texts often contain things that allow the fans to follow such as Summaries and reviews as well as “information on cult programmes prior to their broadcast.”(Hills 2004) The media does play a huge role in how we view certain TV shows and can also affect who watches them.
Lastly, cult TV can be defined though its fans practices and the audience’s passion for a TV show. Cult TV fans are often able “to analyse and critically appreciate one’s favorite text”. Fans play a huge role in cult TV because, if there were no fans, it would just be another failed TV show. Fans can also play a huge role in how the show may progress in the future as they can provide the writer with constructive feedback which can help to improve future programmes. Fans are what make popular genres what they are, without them; the popular genres would just become forgotten TV shows that were not very successful.
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.
A good description of Hill's 3 defintions of cult TV - and you make a good attempt to support these with reference to primary texts - but the questions also asks you to think back at the other (Non-TV) popular genre discussed and say how these might have the same characteristics (or not).
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