Cult TV - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

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.

The first defining characteristic that Hills (2004) lists is that through textual analysis, depending on the text, cult TV can be defined.  We can analyse the qualities that are shared by cult TV programmes.  Hills (2004) continues on to suggest that media producers are self-consciously designing cult TV through their work, adding that cult TV hails from the genres of fantasy, horror and science fiction, yet is thought of as the best of these groups.

Hills (2004) second definition of cult TV is that it is able to be defined through analyzing secondary texts.  John Fiske (as cited in Hills, 2004) believes that secondary texts work to increase the circulation of certain meanings that have been selected from the primary texts and they play a significant role in influencing the audience.  

Similarly, Hills' (2004) third definition of cult TV is that it can be defined by analyzing the practices and activities of fans.  From that, we have to consider what dedicated and loyal fans of cult TV do in order to show their 'fandom'.  Hills (2004) states that the definition provokes a question; 'what activities do fans of cult TV engage in?'.  In relation to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the 'cult' factor arises with the availability of commercial fan magazines and newspaper coverage, and also fan based forums where fans can read and follow the program and discuss personal issues and/or opinions with not only the media, but also other fans themselves.  Buffy-Boards is a fan based forum which discusses questions from the fans or issues with an episode.  You are able to browse by season and read all posts by the fans which cover a range of topics; "Do you think Angel could have converted Faith?" to "The Industrial Song in 'Graduation day, Part 1'".

Buffy - Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Personally, I think that these definitions continue to be viewed as underpinning popular genres because of the 'addictive' nature of them.  Popular genres have become popular because of something that they involve. In my opinion, I think the main factor is the likability of popular genres.  It may not be that the audience can relate to all areas of them, but something captures the audience.  In relation to the cult fiction, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the element of spirituality, I think, captures the audience.  It would almost seem as though the human race has become obsessed with the fictional world; vampire, werewolves, demons, and monsters.  Even though, because of the fictional element of these kinds of characters, the audience cannot relate to the program, the other human characters, like Buffy, are very easy to relate to.  Buffy comes across as 'the-girl-next-door' kind of girl, which I think makes the audience really engage with her, and because of that, they may even feel that the adventures that she takes part in may even be possible for themselves.  It's almost as if the character of Buffy empowers the audience as they may see themselves relating to her.

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.