As Jensen states "These assumptions – about alienation, atomization, vulnerability and
irrationality – are central aspects of twentieth-century beliefs about
modernity." and they are. The majority of people fear admitting that they are fans of TV shows, bands, actors etc. due to all the negative connotations and before I started studying this module I feared that too due to the negative connotations, criticisms and exaggerated stereotypes. However, I have learnt that there are various different levels of obsession and different types of fans and there are people who are quite frankly, mentally unstable but this isn't due to being a fan. They were already unstable and happened to attach themselves to a fandom etc. and then it developed and got out of control. Jensen quotes Horton and Wohl whom believe "the fan, unable
to consummate his desired social relations ‘normally,’ seeks celebrity
contact in the hope of gaining the prestige and influence he or she
psychologically needs, but cannot achieve in anonymous, fragmented
modern society." (16) which breaks down into claiming that fans become that obsessed, infatuated and crazed by the love and adoration for a celebrity and this results in fans wanting to meet their idols. This attachment to a celebrity is apparently due to their exclusion from society but I argue this case. As I've stated in my title, I am 'in love' with Gossip Girl's rich bad boy, Chuck Bass whom is played by Ed Westwick.
The word 'love' in this context does not connote that I want to meet him, marry him or spawn his lovechild, I simply am infatuated by his persona, looks and behaviour. This does not mean I am sitting at home with posters of him sprawled over my walls, I don't go to A-List events and camp outside for four days nor do I have a tattoo of his face on my back. I simply enjoy watching Ed's portrayal of Chuck Bass. His sex appeal is high, his charm does reach out to the viewer and entice the viewers. There are numerous forums devoted to the character whom obsess over the character but this doesn't mean that fans are going to find him and throw their panties at him.
Here's an example of a forum:
Nobody on this forum has stated that they want his kids, want to marry him or even meet him. They just enjoy appreciating and talking about a character which they have grown attachment to. I'm not afraid to say that I cried when Chuck and Blair almost died in a car crash, or when they got married because quite frankly, I'd cry if my friends were in a crash, or got married so why is it so wrong to cry at a programme? They are made to be realistic, the whole purpose of a programme is to entertain - so why is it such an issue for people to enjoy, embrace and discuss the things we watch?
Why is it wrong to be attracted to another human being?
IT ISN'T!!!! IT'S HUMAN NATURE PEOPLE.
If he walked past me in the street, famous or not I'd go to my friends 'oh he's nice isn't he?" so why are celebrities immune to being attractive?
I completely agree with Jensen whom sums up my view completely "Would I claim to be ‘in love’ with any of these individuals, would I offer to die for any of these preferences? Not likely, and certainly not in public. I would lose the respect of my peers." (22) the whole reason people don't express their likes and interests is due to the fear of losing respect from peers, hence why I struggle to write these blog posts. This fear is due to all the negative stereotypes mentioned above, stereotypes that are wrong and over-exaggerated. Any how, Chuck Bass is the man I would love to have as a partner, there's nothing wrong with having standards that you wish someone would adhere to, is there?
Jensen, J. (1992) ‘Fandom as Pathology: The Consequences of Characterization’. In Lewis, L. A. (Ed.) The Adoring Audience. London, Routledge, pp9-29.
The word 'love' in this context does not connote that I want to meet him, marry him or spawn his lovechild, I simply am infatuated by his persona, looks and behaviour. This does not mean I am sitting at home with posters of him sprawled over my walls, I don't go to A-List events and camp outside for four days nor do I have a tattoo of his face on my back. I simply enjoy watching Ed's portrayal of Chuck Bass. His sex appeal is high, his charm does reach out to the viewer and entice the viewers. There are numerous forums devoted to the character whom obsess over the character but this doesn't mean that fans are going to find him and throw their panties at him.
Here's an example of a forum:
Nobody on this forum has stated that they want his kids, want to marry him or even meet him. They just enjoy appreciating and talking about a character which they have grown attachment to. I'm not afraid to say that I cried when Chuck and Blair almost died in a car crash, or when they got married because quite frankly, I'd cry if my friends were in a crash, or got married so why is it so wrong to cry at a programme? They are made to be realistic, the whole purpose of a programme is to entertain - so why is it such an issue for people to enjoy, embrace and discuss the things we watch? Why is it wrong to be attracted to another human being?
IT ISN'T!!!! IT'S HUMAN NATURE PEOPLE.
If he walked past me in the street, famous or not I'd go to my friends 'oh he's nice isn't he?" so why are celebrities immune to being attractive?
I completely agree with Jensen whom sums up my view completely "Would I claim to be ‘in love’ with any of these individuals, would I offer to die for any of these preferences? Not likely, and certainly not in public. I would lose the respect of my peers." (22) the whole reason people don't express their likes and interests is due to the fear of losing respect from peers, hence why I struggle to write these blog posts. This fear is due to all the negative stereotypes mentioned above, stereotypes that are wrong and over-exaggerated. Any how, Chuck Bass is the man I would love to have as a partner, there's nothing wrong with having standards that you wish someone would adhere to, is there?
Jensen, J. (1992) ‘Fandom as Pathology: The Consequences of Characterization’. In Lewis, L. A. (Ed.) The Adoring Audience. London, Routledge, pp9-29.
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