Conversations in the comments brought up the question of, “What makes a fanbase, a fandom?” I do not believe it was addressed in the original article, so here are my two cents:
The Making of a Fandom
- Are there 15 or more dedicated tumblr blogs to the subject?
- Has someone written fan fiction?
- Can you google image search tacky tattoos about it?
- Is there a dedicated Con about the subject?
If the answer is yes to 2 or more questions, you’ve got yourself a fandom. Easy peasy.
Breaking It Down – Fandom Style (Part 2)
10. Arrested Development
Bekah: I have NO idea how the series ended because I stopped watching about 4 episodes from the end. I was just TOO sad to have it end, so I decided to pretend it didn’t. I know. I’m so smart. So the fact that this is coming back gives me so many smiles. I have a face full of Arrested Development smiles.
Nikki: It’s coming baaaaaaaccckkk!!! I’ve got my cut off jean shorts on in celebration!
Jamie: I bet I would really like this show. *adds to the never ending list of shows to watch*
THIS IS HOW SERIOUS I AM ABOUT ROSE AND THE DOCTOR
9. Doctor Who
Bekah: I am such a loser….. I don’t watch this show yet either. Don’t worry. I will eventually. I generally jump onto bandwagons a year or two after people left them. (HAVE YOU GUYS HEARD OF THE WALKING DEAD?)
Nikki: I’m usually on board for most British TV imports but this bug hasn’t bitten me (yet). I just know people are kookoo bananas over the Doctor. Also, those Daleks are ghetto looking.
Jamie: ROSE AND THE DOCTOR FOREVER!!!
Jamie: Bekah – I look forward to when you FINALLY start watching BSG. Nikki – Are you calling me kookoo bananas?
8. Lady Gaga
Bekah: I kinda wish I was a Little Monster (her fanclub) because it seems like a fun group. But I’m not
Nikki: After seeing the Ga in concert, I TOTALLY get it. I mean for like 5 seconds I kinda wanted to be her. She seemed charming and funny and self deprecating. Rage on Little Monsters.
Jamie: I once spent a weekend memorizing the Bad Romance dance by a youtube tutorial. Too bad youtube didn’t exist when I was in college memorizing, Bye, Bye, Bye.
7. Hunger Games
Bekah: This book sucked
Nikki: The YA section of my bookshelf has become the town whore of LA. Between Twilight and Hunger Games, those things see more action than Kristen Stewart’s Mini Cooper. I knew when guys were asking to borrow my HG books that is was a BIG DEAL. Also, I HATE the ending. REALLY Suzanne Collins?
Jamie: I picked up my copy of Catching Fire while in Port Angeles, WA. *shifty eyes*
Bekah: (I’m just kidding guys)
6. Lord of the Rings
Bekah: I just IMDB’d Elijah Wood to find out which movie he was where I had a crush on him as a child (UMMMM I was the child- I don’t crush on a child. Unless boys born in 1986 count. Then arrest me) And it turns out he has to be the HARDEST working guy in Hollywood. Just look at all he’s done: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000704/ (The movie was Flipper guys. Remember it?)
Nikki: I’m not Ringer enough to host a LOTR day like my friend which includes meals from the films/books (Elevensies, 2nd Breakfast) but I’d say I’m a big Tolkien fan. I’ve read the book(s) and am currently participating in a VERY drawn out LOTR movie re-watching club. Also, THE HOBBIT you guys!
Jamie: I still haven’t read the book, but I did go see all the movies opening weekends in the theatre. That should count for something. Plus, RUDY is in this movie. RUDY, RUDY, RUDY!
5. Justin Bieber
Bekah: I listen to “Believe” every Friday afternoon. Oh look at that.. it’s 4:33 pm on a Friday, GUESS WHAT IS GOING ON, WORLD????
Nikki: I’ve been given one of his CDs for my birthday, I’ve seen Never Say Never, I’ve gone to his concert (for free!) and I sing his songs unashamed. You might call this my second adolescence.
Jamie: Meh.
4. Harry Potter
Bekah: Ohhhh the summer of 2007- that’s when I finally gave in. My college roommates were BIG fans. Lucy watched the movie(s) and re-read the books ALL-THE-TIME and I’d give her a hard time because IT’S ABOUT A BOY WIZARD GUYS. But then I got married and went on a Honeymoon. Do you know that there isn’t much to do on a honeymoon besides eat, drink, tan, sex, swim? We got bored. So we rented Harry Potter 1-4 from the front desk. And my life was never the same. I read them throughout the next year– finishing up when the final book released in the Summer of ‘07. Someone should write a song called “The Summer of ‘07.” And yes– I called Lucy to apologize.
Nikki: Guys, I still haven’t read the books. I even have them on my shelf. I’ve seen the first and fifth movies. Hmm I wonder why the 5th… hmmmm.
Jamie: I held out on those “kids” books until I was dying to read something in English, while doing a semester abroad in France. Hell, I even bought the book in French. I’m sure if I wasn’t afraid of fan fiction at the time, I would have totally been immersed in the fandom (except, no Harry/Snape/Draco slash. Ew.)
HAHAHAHAHA…what?
3. Twilight
Bekah: I may or may not like Twilight. A lot. Too much. (That’s Normal)
Nikki: If you’re here, you know the answer to this.
Jamie: I once met besties through a twilight blog and started another blog with them. TOTALLY NORMAL.
2. Star Wars
Bekah: That’s the same as Star Trek right?
Nikki: A single tear. Dang the original (4-6) Star Wars movies are amazing. Then George Lucas decided to break what wasn’t broken and well, we’ll always have 4-6. At least we got Hayden Christensen out of that mess. I mean…
Jamie: HAN SHOT FIRST!
1. Game of Thrones
Bekah: My husband watches this. And once I walked in the room so I know there is a hot girl with white hair and a dragon. And A LOT of people like this show. I’m so on top of it…
Jamie: I remember this one time when I waited in line for Hall H for 6 hours to see the GoT panel, still didn’t make it inside and then this bitch talked her way in when I was in the ladies.
Nikki: I remember this one time I waited in line for Hall H for 6 hours to see the GoT panel, didn’t make it in and then sweet talked a (female!!!) security guard into letting me in while Jamie was in the bathroom. All’s fair in love, Game of Thrones, seeing Richard Madden’s curls in real life and Comic Con panels. Sorry Jamie.
Oy, that Nikki is lucky that I like her (or that I didn’t kick her in her sleep at Comic Con).
So what do you think? What makes a fandom? Which of the top ten fandoms do you consider yourself a part of?
