In a message dated 2/17/01 2:35:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, dshilling@worldnet.att.net writes:
<< But I'd say, au contraire, it's an enjoyable corporate extension of a media property--it would be a monument to a fandom if it was in somebody's basement in Peoria and she spent 10 years putting it together, or whatever. <<
Ah, but if it weren't for the ST fans, there would be no corporate extension, no ongoing property, no *industry* of STAR TREK, much less a steady stream of devotees who slap down money every day to enjoy this incredible attraction in Las Vegas. They would never bother. If there were no fandom, there would have been no ST beyond the reruns.
I watched my first B7 tape because of Jenkins,
and I still think he's right--fandom is the assertion that the real story of the show belongs to the people who love it, not the people who (by a mere technicality) happen to have a TV studio. >>
No argument about that from me. I am, however, currently conducting a debate about that point with a couple of the writers who worked on HIGHLANDER, over at alt.tv.Highlander. They insist that the opinion of the fans is irrelevant, and that we ought never be polled about what we want to see on a show in that universe. Sure. What do *we* know? As far as the professional producers, cast and staff are concerned, we're lucky they're doing anything for us at all. I suspect the same applies to the staff and crew of most series. That we'd better like what they do, because they know best.
Leah
Leah wrote:
I am, however, currently conducting a debate about that point with a couple of the writers who worked on HIGHLANDER, over at alt.tv.Highlander. They insist that the opinion of the fans is irrelevant, and that we ought never be polled about what we want to see on a show in that universe. Sure. What do *we* know?
Well, to be fair, when they give the viewers what they want, it frequently kills the show. For example, UST = viewer interest, resolving it = cancellation (Moonlighting, Scarecrow & Mrs. King, etc.) Maybe there is something to the idea of tension generating fandom. Though for me, I think it's just a matter of wanting to spend more time in that universe than are available on film.
If Blake had destroyed the Federation and set up a new, democratic form of government, would there be anything left to write about 20 years later?
Mistral
At 02:51 18-2-01 -0500, Bizarro7@aol.com wrote:
I watched my first B7 tape because of Jenkins,
and I still think he's right--fandom is the assertion that the real story of the show belongs to the people who love it, not the people who (by a mere technicality) happen to have a TV studio. >>
No argument about that from me. I am, however, currently conducting a debate about that point with a couple of the writers who worked on HIGHLANDER, over at alt.tv.Highlander. They insist that the opinion of the fans is irrelevant, and that we ought never be polled about what we want to see on a show in that universe. Sure. What do *we* know? As far as the professional producers, cast and staff are concerned, we're lucky they're doing anything for us at all.
Reading about the death of Richie Ryan (who's always been one of my fave characters on that show) and about the subsequent snubbing that fans who didn't like this got, I lost all interest in that particular show. When they continued it here in Holland (they'd only shown four seasons up till then), I didn't bother to watch. Yes, it's on at an inconvenient time, but if it hadn't been for their attitude, I would have taped it.
Erm, seems that I'm pretty good at getting in a huff over attitude (although I love Avon's). Well consider yourselves warned, then, because I'm not likely to change.
I suspect the same applies to the staff and crew of most series. That we'd better like what they do, because they know best.
Yup, I'm a bloody philistine. I decide for myself what I like best.
Jacqueline
On Sun, 18 Feb 2001 Bizarro7@aol.com wrote:
about that point with a couple of the writers who worked on HIGHLANDER, over at alt.tv.Highlander. They insist that the opinion of the fans is irrelevant, and that we ought never be polled about what we want to see on a show in that universe. Sure. What do *we* know? As far as the professional producers, cast and staff are concerned, we're lucky they're doing anything for us at all. I suspect the same applies to the staff and crew of most series. That we'd better like what they do, because they know best.
They could well be right. A look at the history of 'Doctor Who' would suggest that when the producers start making decisions based on what the fans want, the show is in danger of turning into poo.
Iain
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Bizarro7＠aol.com -
Iain Coleman -
Jacqueline Thijsen -
Mistral