Creativity, Fandoms, and Social Media – Part Two (Fandom Exploration)

What is a “fandom”, What Does That Word Mean?

A tweet I read had me consider things. Someone brought up deactivating their social media accounts because of broken “fandoms”.

Anyone not familiar with the term is either:

1.) Not on social media

2.) Not part of one

3.) Hasn’t heard the word before or knows what it refers to

For this particular blog the definition is:

“the fans of a particular fictional series, regarded collectively as a community or subculture”

A chart reveals the word usage began in/around the 1950’s; skyrocketing in the 2010’s.

I believe “Star Trek” epitomized the term “fandom”, hence all the “Star Trek Conventions” throughout the years, starting around the early 1970’s. Consider the meaning of fandom – “regarded collectively as a community or subculture”. I went to quite a few “conventions” during the late 1980’s. In fact, Star Trek fans had their own name: “Trekkies” or “Trekkers”, that should say something right there. Some would (and likely still do) dress in costume – Klingon, Romulan, Starfleet officer … you get the idea.

I, nor my mom, ever did. True we had a few t-shirts, but never anything on that grand of a scale. Look it up on Google, Bing, Yahoo to see what I mean.

I was lucky enough to meet and sit by James Doohan (Scotty) during my first convention. I also met Nichelle Nichols (Uhura). Had a conversation with and met the late Mark Lenard (the actor who was more known for Sarek, but portrayed a Klingon and Romulan as well). I was at a table buying a photograph for him to sign and he came up to me and started talking to me. I was between 14-16 at the time (it was before his final acting appearance on “In The Heat of the Night”, 1993). My mom wondered who I was talking to, turned and saw him. She also watched him on “Here Come the Brides”.

I also met Michael Dorn (Worf) and the late Grace Lee Whitney (Janice Rand).

We didn’t go to every single one. There was one my mom and I didn’t go to. Los Angeles Airport Hilton – 1989. That was the MEGA convention if I remember correctly – everyone from Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation was going to be there. Instead, we went to Disneyland.

My mother made sure to balance my “love” and “affection” for a particular TV show or character with realistic expectations. In fact she was the one who decided against going to the convention. We even stayed a few nights at the hotel, before going to a hotel closer to Disneyland that weekend.

I was only going because I knew that was one of her favorite TV shows and would mean a lot to her. She decided that taking me to Disneyland was far more important and fun thing for both of us.

That says a lot about balancing fandom and reality right there. Do we regret not going? NO. Even now she says Disneyland was the better choice. If she had to do it all over again? DISNEYLAND.

Over the years my interest in Star Trek waned. I think the reason it was so special was that it was something my mother and I had in common. She had the original Star Trek series when she was a teenager, and I had one in my teens – Star Trek: The Next Generation. It came, it went …

My First Fandom …

I guess I would say that my “fandom” in TV shows (and certain characters) went back to September 1976, the second season of Starsky & Hutch. I loved Starsky and his car. Was far too young to know anything; let’s face it, I was barely five (5) months old. Later, in reruns, I knew the difference between the actor and the character. I still want that Torino though!

There were certain things I knew that were acceptable behavior, and things that were not. Clearly what is being done on social media today is not acceptable (shipping real life actors when they’re married or in relationships), and I couldn’t dream of tweeting or posting some of the things I’ve read others tweet and post. I cannot even begin to understand that line of thinking.

In June 2014, I was lucky enough to spend an evening with the actors from Starsky & Hutch, David Soul (Ken Hutchinson) and Paul Michael Glaser (David Starsky). I had a conversation with both, and I got to see the “hero” car from the series. That satisfied this fan’s wishes and dreams. I also got to see Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear). That alone was more than I could EVER dream of. I still watch the series on DVD and see what the actors are up to. But, I’m content in having that “once in a lifetime” experience.

But, on the night of my arrival, I saw a commercial featuring a familiar orange car and two “good old boys”.

That took me back to January 1979, when my attention turned to The Dukes of Hazzard. As a small girl I’d light up at the sight of the Duke boys and the General Lee. Let’s not mention my crush on one of them, shall we? My mom said I loved the theme so much she bought a 45 of Waylon Jennings’ “Good Old Boys” for me at age four (4), and because I’d also dance to theme.

Even now, it’s still a favorite (I watch it as much as I can) and in March 2016, I got to meet one of the “Dukes” – John Schneider, aka “Bo Duke”. I still would like to meet the other remaining cast members. And, yes I also want a General Lee.

The Dukes of Hazzard has, at least in my opinion, one of the better fandoms around. Perhaps because its run is over and there is more nostalgia than “current” issues involved with it. But, it, to me, resonates good values that I think are lacking in today’s society.

I’ll elaborate in part three (3) ...