Post-object fandom
Subtitle: television, identity and self-narrative
By: Rebecca Williams
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2015
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 235
ISBN-13: 9781623564636; 9781623562106; 9781623561406
Subjects: Television programs; Television viewers; Psychology
Description: Fandom is generally viewed as an integral part of everyday life which impacts upon how we form emotional bonds with ourselves and others in a modern, mediated world. Whilst it is inevitable for television series to draw to a close, the reactions of fans have rarely been considered. Williams explores this everyday occurence through close analysis of television fans to examine how they respond to, discuss, and work through their feelings when shows finish airing. Through a range of case studies, including The West Wing (NBC, 2000-2006), Lost (ABC 2004 -2010), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), Doctor Who (BBC 1963-1989; 2005-), The X-Files (FOX, 1993-2002), Firefly (FOX, 2002) and Sex and the City (HBO, 1998-2004), Williams considers how fans prepare for the final episodes of shows, how they talk about this experience with fellow fans, and how, through re-viewing, discussion and other fan practices, they seek to maintain their fandom after the show's cessation
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 207-226) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction: the beginning of the end; title: Ontological security, self-identity and post-object fandom; title: Departures, deaths and replacements: when characters leave; title: "The constant in my life": the reiteration discourse; title: "Turning off the life support": the rejection discourse; title: Moving on?: the renegotiation discourse; title: "Living in DVD-land": post-object fandom, re-watching  and digital media; title: Continuing the show: interim fandom, resurrections and fan-created texts; title: Conclusion: immortal fandom.