What is Fandom?

Fandom is the community surrounding a particular character, pairing, TV show, movie or other entertainment-based endeavor.  Such shows as Star Trek, The Man from Uncle and Battlestar Galactica are just a few examples of shows in the last few decades that have spawned a fandom community of followers who keep these shows alive.  Fandom encompasses a completely wide range of people and devotion, from fan fiction to artwork to campaigns that keep shows around longer than anticipated.  In many cases, fandom is the reason why shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly live on in a cult-like status in the real world and online.

People of all ages and background participate in fandom.  Sometimes people get involved in fandom after a show or film has run its course.  Sometimes this is days after it is over, sometimes years.  For example, those who follow the Firefly fandom – known as Browncoats – have mostly come from after the show was cancelled by Fox.  The Joss Whedon sci-fi show has spawned a movie, yearly viewings and other gatherings organized and kept alive by fandom followers who saw so much potential in a show cut short of a full run.  This type of devotion and love for the show has kept it alive and thriving and will do so even into the future.

Fandom seeks to bring together followers in a community way to show support, love and dedication to a TV show, movie, pairing or more.  They create forums, they organize events and they do whatever they can to show support in real life and on the Internet.  Those who participate in fandom are often looked down upon as fan girls or fan boys; people outside fandom do not understand the time, undertaking or energy invested in such a following.  They think it is frivolous and a waste of time, but for those involved in fandom, supporting what you love is the perfect way to get lost in the value of entertainment.