Fanthropological

What makes 007 oh-so-beloved by fans? On this week's episode, the Nickscast (and special guest friend, Tom) talk about why it is that folks are such a fan of the intruiging English spy, James Bond!

Next week, we'll be dipping our toes into the Whedonverse as we talk about fans of *Firefly*: Browncoats!

## Episode outline

### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/33-cinephiles-ft-efg-nick/) Famous Last Words

**G:** Are there people who are only interested in the books, and if so, why? What's the Tom Bombadil of James Bond films? How faithful are the movies to the books?

**Z:** The iconic scene of James Bond being strapped down to a lazer. Is that lifted from the books, or movie original?

**T:** How important is universal love of the movies? Can you love just a movie? Just one bond?

**EFG Nick:** Why is Hank Scorpio the greatest bond villain of all time?

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

James Bond is a fictional British Secret Service agent, created by Sir Ian Flemming in 1953. Flemming wrote Bond into twelve novels and two short story collections.

Though Flemming passed away in 1964, Bond has only become more popular, starring in twenty-four films, and eight other authors officially continuing his adventures.

The first EON Productions James Bond movie, *Dr. No*, was release in 1962.

There are two non-canonical movies: *Casino Royale* (a 1967 spoof) and *Never Say Never Again* (a 1983 remake of an earlier Eon-produced film, *Thunderball*).

**Fandom Origins:**

The first fan club was founded in 1972 by two high school students from Yonkers, NY. In 1974, they started publishing a magazine, *Bondage Quarterly*, however, it and most (if not all) other James Bond zines published no fan-fiction.

**Changes in Fandom:**

In general, trending downward worldwide, though there are peaks around when the movies were released based on [Google Trends data since 2004](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=james%20bond,007). It hasn't been a huge drop though, perhaps about 20%. The data is based on when it was most popular in search traffic so hard to say.

**Fan terms:**

The Connery-through-Brosnan universe is often called "Classic Bond" or "Classicverse". The reboot starring Daniel Craig is thus far called the "Craigverse", though once Craig is replaced a new name will probably emerge.

**Related fandoms:**

Indiana Jones and Jason Bourne (based on Facebook data, via [Hollywood.com](http://www.hollywood.com/movies/skyfall-box-office-bonanza-57242023/))

**Demographics:**

In a survey of US James Bond fans by [YouGov](https://today.yougov.com/news/2012/11/15/he-last-played-james-bond-1983-americans-say-sean-/)...

- Across all groups, Sean Connery is the preferred bond (52%); Daniel Craig (16%), Pierce Brosnan (13%), Roger Moore (10%), Don't Know (7%)

- In the 30-44 Age group, Pierce Brosnan and Roger Moore run a close second

- Daniel Craig gets the most support from folks under 30

- 6 in 10 Americans claim to be James Bond fans (1 in 5 claim to be "big fans")

- Bond fandom does not appear to be indicative of any particular gender, age, or political leaning

> Smirnoff vodka, which had been featured in Bond films since Dr. No, was replaced with Finlandia vodka in Die Another Day. A Smirnoff representative said that the company had lost interest in the Bond audience, whose major demographic they saw as men aged 25 to 45, and that it was seeking younger, more social customers aged 21 to 29.

>

> — [Wikipedia - James Bond Fandom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_fandom)

**Fanfics:**

Looking at Fanfiction.net, there are only 12 fanfics specifically for the James Bond movies, but well over 2000 results featuring the term "James Bond". Archive of our Own has over 8000 fanfics for Bond fandom, most focussed on the movies (97%), and most focussed on the Daniel Craig movies (91%).

### Are you in, or out?

**G is in.**

- But will probably stay at his current level of involvement, and see the next movie when it comes out.

**Z is out.**

**T is out.**

**Tom is in, and will always be in.**

### This week's spotlight

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, *Browncoats*!

**Tom**

Why do people care about this show? I guess Nathan Fillion is cool. It was only on for a season ... Why do people care so much about it? Get over it!

**Z**

What is the place of duelling in the world of firefly? How common is it?

**G**

Is it really that good?

**T**

Where's the second season? Why hasn't it been kickstarted?

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Credits

### Sources

- [Den of Geek - James Bond: Why I Love the Films, But Hate 007](http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/james-bond/250349/james-bond-why-i-love-the-films-but-hate-007)

- [Wikipedia - James Bond](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond)

- [Fanlore - James Bond](https://fanlore.org/wiki/James_Bond)

- [Wikipedia - James Bond Fandom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Bond_fandom)

- [Hollywood.com - ‘Skyfall’ Box Office Bonanza!](http://www.hollywood.com/movies/skyfall-box-office-bonanza-57242023/)

- [Wikipedia - Shaken, Not Stirred](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaken,_not_stirred)

- [Wikipedia - Goldfinger (Film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfinger_(film))

- [Filmsite.org - 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time](http://www.filmsite.org/100characters4.html)

- [Empire - The Greatest Movie Characters of All Time](http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/100-greatest-movie-characters/)

- [Reddit - What Quality of James Bond Do You Wish You Had the Most?](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/3dgh9k/what_quality_of_james_bond_do_you_wish_you_had/)

- [Reddit - Time for Bond to Die...](https://www.reddit.com/r/007/comments/3q14tq/time_for_bond_to_die/)

- [M16 Community - Home](https://www.mi6community.com/)

- [Reddit - Could the Current Film Continuity Adopt the Code Name Theory as Canon for Future Installments?](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/5gy8ii/could_the_current_film_continuity_adopt_the_code/)

- [Reddit - It's Been About 24 Hours since my James Bond Survey and I Have Received 160+ Responses](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/375soq/its_been_about_24_hours_since_my_james_bond/)

- [Reddit - James Bond and Castlevania Continuity](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/6fwk59/james_bond_continuity_and_castlevania_continuity/)

- [Reddit - Bond Film Continuity?](https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesBond/comments/2yq5yf/bond_film_continuity/)

- [Den of Geek! - James Bond and the Legacy of Goldfinger](http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/james-bond/243976/james-bond-007-and-the-legacy-of-goldfinger)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Aperture](https://thenounproject.com/term/aperture/29761) by [Mourad Mokrane](https://thenounproject.com/molumen) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [User](https://thenounproject.com/term/user/85533) by [Miguel C Balandrano](https://thenounproject.com/acider) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

Breaking News! Were you at YetiCon? If so, you may have been a part of our live podcast: *A Fanthropological View of Pokemon*!

What is it that keeps a franchise going for over twenty years? Why do fans continue to flock to it? Who are the fans of Pokemon anyway?

Stay tuned, and find out!

## Episode outline

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

Pokemon is a video game and media franchise that was started in 1995 by Game Freak / Nintendo video game designer Satoshi Tajiri. The franchise centers on fictional creatures called Pokemon (*Pocket Monsters*) which humans, known as Pokemon trainers, catch and train to battle each other for sport. The is the third best-selling video game franchise (behind Mario, and Tetris) and spans 18 mainline games, over 60 different spin-off games, an anime series that has been running for 20 years and 11 seasons, 20 different movies... there is a *lot* of Pokemon!

**Demographics:**

Obviously, the main game series has broad appeal, so it is hard to pin down.

Using data from [*Club Nintendo* and *Media Create*](http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/01/pokemons-audience-growing-older/), it looks like the average Pokemon player is male, between the ages of 19-24.

*However*, there are lots of other data sources. Data from [*Infoscout* on Pokemon licensed merchandise](http://infoscout.co/brand/pokemon_licensed) is slightly different: the largest group being white females between the ages of 35 to 44. Also interesting is that this data shows that Pokemon purchasers are more likely to have kids, to have a college education, and to make over $80k USD.

Some data on [*Forbes* about Pokemon GO](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2016/07/26/more-women-than-men-are-playing-pokemon-go-by-a-lot/#29c1bee613dc) suggests that the majority of players are age 18-29, and female by a large margin (63% vs 37%). That's 2-to-1!

**Names:**

Pokemon Fans, Pokémaniacs, Pokétubers (Youtube)

**Most Active:**

I would argue that Pokemon is more popular now than ever but perhaps it is oversaturated as there are so many different Pokemon properties.

As for trends (based on [Google Trends](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=%2Fm%2F05xwg,%2Fm%2F0532x8,%2Fm%2F01w626)), Pokemon popularity has been relatively flat, but is likely going up slightly since 2016 with a huge spike in interest towards the end of July 2016 (the most popular period for Pokemon searches), which happened to be the time of the release of Pokemon Go

**Changes in Fandom:**

The largest change in the fandom, from demographics, is that it has been skewing older as time goes on. From the [*Club Nintendo* and *Media Create* data](http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/01/pokemons-audience-growing-older/), the age group has gone from primarily pre-school to 6th grade when Diamond and Pearl were released, to 19-24 when Black and White were released.

**Fanfics:**

Archive of our own has approximately 9000 fanfics across all media types, with almost 5000 of those being for the main video game series.

Fanfiction.net has almost 27 000 fanfics, which I think is a general indication of the relative popularity of Pokemon and the state of the fandom in the past vs now.

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Thanks

Special thanks this week to [YetiCon](http://www.yeticon.org/) for having us as a featured panelist! We had a lot of fun, and hope to come back next year!

## Credits

### Sources

- [Fanlore - Pokemon](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon)

- [Wikipedia - Pokemon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon)

- [Wikipedia - Pokemon (video game series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_(video_game_series))

- [Wikipedia - Satoshi Tajiri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoshi_Tajiri)

- [Nintendo Wikia - List of Pokemon Games](http://nintendo.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Pok%C3%A9mon_games)

- [Bulbapedia - List of Anime episodes](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/List_of_anime_episodes)

- [Quora - How was Pokémon able to achieve such broad demographic appeal?](https://www.quora.com/How-was-Pok%C3%A9mon-able-to-achieve-such-broad-demographic-appeal)

- [Kotaku - The World of Pokemon Fan Games Has Become a Minefield](http://kotaku.com/the-world-of-pokemon-fan-games-has-become-a-minefield-1794743843)

- [Vice - Why I'm a Full-Grown Adult Who Still Loves 'Pokemon'](https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/still-love-pokemon-234)

- [Reddit - ELI5: How and why did Pokemon win the popularity contest against Digimon?](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/30rz3c/eli5_how_and_why_did_pokemon_win_the_popularity/)

- [Siliconera - Pokémon’s Audience Is Growing Older](http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/01/pokemons-audience-growing-older/)

- [Forbes - More Women Than Men Are Playing 'Pokémon GO'--By A Lot](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2016/07/26/more-women-than-men-are-playing-pokemon-go-by-a-lot/#29c1bee613dc)

- [Infoscout - Pokemon (Licensed) Consumer Insights](http://infoscout.co/brand/pokemon_licensed)

- [Google Trends - Pokemon vs Digimon](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?q=%2Fm%2F05xwg,%2Fm%2F0532x8,%2Fm%2F01w626)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Pokemon](https://thenounproject.com/term/pokeball/594339) by [Iconic](https://thenounproject.com/iconproducer) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

The Nickscast talks all things film, film fandom, cinema... you name it as they try to figure out the allure of the silver screen when they talk about Cinephiles! They are not alone in their efforts; this week, Epic Film Guys Nick joins the fray and drops some knowledge bombs about cinema!

Next week, we'll be talking about that double-oh-so-secret agent, James Bond, and his many adoring fans!

## Where can I learn more about EFG Nick?

Epic Film Guy Nick lives in upstate NY and graduated from Clarion University of PA in 2010 with a degree in English (writing). While in college he studied film as part of a film studies minor and made a couple short films. He handles the sound production and editing of the show ([Epic Film Guys](http://www.epicfilmguys.com/)) as well as its release and manages the twitter account [@EpicFilmGuys](http://twitter.com/EpicFilmGuys).

You can learn more about the Epic Film Guys by visiting http://epicfilmguys.wordpress.com/about-us/

You can also find them elsewhere on the internet!

- Website: [Epic Film Guys](http://www.epicfilmguys.com/)

- Twitter: [@EpicFilmGuys](http://twitter.com/epicfilmguys)

- Facebook: [@EpicFilmGuys](http://facebook.com/epicfilmguys)

- iTunes: [Epic Film Guys Podcast](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/epic-film-guys-podcast/id1027239734)

## Episode outline

### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/32-bollywood-fans/) Famous Last Words

**Z:** Is there a movie marathon, cited as a cinephile’s paradise, where people are encouraged to bring in multiple-course meals?

**G:** Is it important for cinephiles to see movies in the theatre?

**T:** Are cinephiles really a fandom? Isn’t that just a pretentious title for people who watch movies? Where is the culture? The shared experience and unique terminology?

### Fandom Facts

**Size of Fandom:**

Based on data from [*Telefilm*](https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/canada-moviegoing-statistics-june-2015.pdf) In Canada alone, there are over 20.3 million moviegoers. Roughly two-thirds of the Canadian population goes out to see movies, and on average sees 5.1 movies in a year.

Within this group of moviegoers, there is a group of heavy moviegoers. This group consists of 25% of all moviegoers, sees 10 or more movies per year, and makes up the majority (60%) of all ticket purchases.

**Fan demographics and preferences:**

Again, based on the [same source](https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/canada-moviegoing-statistics-june-2015.pdf), there are slightly different demographics depending on which set of moviegoers are being referred to.

Looking at all moviegoers, they are split about 51% male, 49% female, and compared to the general population, are much more likely to be under the age of 44. In particular, a lot of moviegoers are between the ages of 13 and 24 compared to the general population. 16% tend to see a movie during the opening weekend, and 25% during the opening week.

Compared to non-movie goers

- They are more likely to use social media (74%)

- They are more likely to watch streaming TV (61%)

- They are more likely to play video games (48%)

- They are less likely to read a print newspaper (15%)

In general, moviegoers consume a lot of media.

When asked about why moviegoers *do not* go to see a movie, the biggest reason cited was cost. In terms of theatre preferences, seating, showtimes, and theatre quality are the most important factors.

*Heavy moviegoers*

Looking specifically at this group, the split becomes 53% male, and 47% female, and are way more likely to be between the ages of 25 and 34. 27% of this group sees the movie on opening weekend, and 35% during the opening week.

> Among the top five grossing films in 2015, Jurassic World, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Furious 7 attracted majority male audiences, while Inside Out was the only top five film with a majority female audience, with 54% of box office revenue coming from women. Furious 7 drew the most ethnically diverse audience, followed by Jurassic World.

>

> — [MPAA - Theatrical Market Statistics](http://www.mpaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MPAA-Theatrical-Market-Statistics-2015_Final.pdf)

**Changes in Fandom:**

There are many signs that the fandom is growing. Global box office sales were up 5% in 2015 (up 18% since 2011), and the number of cinema screens worldwide has increased 8% since 2015 (due in large part to gains in the Asia-Pacific region, which have grown 19%).

### Are you in, or out?

**Z is in.**

**G is in.**

**EFG is in.**

**T is out.**

### This week's spotlight

**[M. Night School](http://mnightschool.org/)**

> Certainly, there must be 150, 000 of us film lovers out there who are tired of his schlocky plot twists, canned dialogue, and over commercialized image as an "auteur."

A bit of a joke answer, but it is a group dedicated to sending M. Night Shyamalan back to film school. The group has raised over $700 USD to date, and was hoping to raise $150 000 USD. Had they succeeded and M. Night refused, the money would have been donated to creating a scholarship.

**[Frameline](https://www.frameline.org/)**

Frameline is an international LGBTQ film festival that also hosts events, screens films, and creates LGBTQ youth programming year round.

> The Frameline Completion Fund provides grants to emerging and established filmmakers. This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Grants up to $5,000 are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ life in all its complexity and richness.

>

> For over a quarter century, Frameline has provided more than 140 grants to help ensure that LGBTQ films are completed and viewed by wider audiences.

>

> — [Frameline Completion Fund](https://www.frameline.org/year-round/filmmaker-support/completion-fund)

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, James Bond!

**G**

Are there people who are only interested in the books, and if so, why? What's the *Tom Bombadil* of James Bond films? How faithful are the movies to the books?

**Z**

The iconic scene of James Bond being strapped down to a laser... Is that lifted from the books, or original to the movies?

**T**

How important is universal love of the movies? Can you love just one movie? Just one bond?

**EFG**

Why is Hank Scorpio the greatest bond villain of all time?

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Thanks

Special thanks this week go out to [Epic Film Guy Nick](http://www.epicfilmguys.com/) for once again joining us and sharing his love and knowledge of films and cinema fandom!

## Credits

### Sources

- [New Republic - Has Hollywood Murdered the Movies?](https://newrepublic.com/article/107212/has-hollywood-murdered-the-movies)

- [Open Roof Festival - Festival Information](http://www.openrooffestival.com/festival-information/)

- [The Food Film Fest - The Festival](http://thefoodfilmfestival.com/the-festival/)

- [Slow Food Youth Network - The Rise of Amsterdam's Food Film Festival](http://www.slowfoodyouthnetwork.org/blog/the-rise-of-amsterdams-food-film-festival/#.WR-VUOFid0s)

- [Real Food Films - Pop-Up Film Fests](http://realfoodfilms.org/pop-up-film-festivals/)

- [WikiHow - How to Be a Cinephile](http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Cinephile)

- [Reddit - Fellow Film Geeks, When Did You “Come of Age” as Film Lovers and What Is Your Watching Process](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cinephiles/comments/4db456/fellow_film_geeks_when_did_you_come_of_age_as/)

- [Reddit - How Do I Become a Cinephile? Are There Any Particular DVD Collections that I can Begin With?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cinephiles/comments/34x6s8/how_do_i_become_a_cinephile_are_there_any/)

- [Wikipedia - Cinephilia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinephilia)

- [MUBI - What is MUBI](https://mubi.com/about)

- [The Afternoon Despatch & Courier - Creating a Social Community of Cinephiles](http://www.afternoondc.in/business/creating-a-social-community-of-cinephiles/article_183773)

- [MetaFilter - What are The Best Ways for a Cinephile Like Me to Find Community of Those Similarly Interested in Film?](http://ask.metafilter.com/216106/What-are-the-best-ways-for-a-cinephile-like-me-to-find-communities-of-those-similarly-interested-in-film)

- [Telefilm Canada - Canadian Moviegoing Statistics](https://telefilm.ca/wp-content/uploads/canada-moviegoing-statistics-june-2015.pdf)

- [MPAA - Theatrical Market Statistics](http://www.mpaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MPAA-Theatrical-Market-Statistics-2015_Final.pdf)

- [The Harris Poll - The Silver Screen Slump: Americans Say They’re Going to the Movies Less Often](http://www.theharrispoll.com/health-and-life/The_Silver_Screen_Slump__Americans_Say_They_re_Going_to_the_Movies_Less_Often.html)

- [Quora - Why do people watch movies? What meaning does it add to people's lives?](https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-watch-movies-What-meaning-does-it-add-to-peoples-lives)

- [Today - Your brain on movies: Why films make us cry, flinch and cheer](http://www.today.com/health/your-brain-movies-why-films-make-us-cry-flinch-cheer-1D80258284)

- [The Guardian - 10 reasons why today's TV is better than movies](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/oct/23/10-reasons-tv-better-movies)

- [Relevant - Why Do We Watch Movies?](http://archives.relevantmagazine.com/culture/film/why-do-we-watch-movies)

- [Wired - Hollywood is not OK with you watching new movies at home](https://www.wired.com/2016/03/hollywood-not-ok-watching-new-movies-home/)

- [No Film School - What Kind of Cinephile Are You? Let Pretentious-O-Meter Gauge Your Taste in Films](http://nofilmschool.com/2015/05/what-kind-cinephile-pretentious-o-meter-gauge-taste-films)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Projector](https://thenounproject.com/term/projector/919393) by [Federico Panzano](https://thenounproject.com/panzano) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

[// Z's sources: (.*)(?:\.|\?|\)|\:|\!) (http.*) (http.*) ]: #

[// G's sources: From <(http.*)> ]: #

## Episode outline

### [Last Time's](http://fanthropological.com/e/31-lord-of-the-rings-fans/) Famous Last Words

**Z**: In *The Simpsons*, when Apu lives with the Simpsons temporarily, they watch a Bollywood movie together. That movie now exists.

**G**: Are western fans of Bollywood also interested in Indian culture in general?

**T**: What is the most ridiculous Bollywood film that exists?

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

"Bollywood" movies, more formally referred to as "Hindi cinema", are films produced as part of the larger Indian film industry. It is one of the largest film producers in India representing 43% of net box office revenue (Tamil and Teluga cinema represent 36%). It is one of the largest centres of film production in the world, and one of the biggest film industries in the world in terms of films produced and people employed.

The first silent films made in India started around the beginning of the 20th century, and by the 1930s the industry was producing about 200 films per year.

**Names:**

Hindi cinema fans, Bollywood fans,

**Most Active:**

Probably the present day; [Google trends](https://trends.google.ca/trends/explore?date=all&q=bollywood) data shows a slow but gradual increase from 2005 to now with the most interest being in spikes from last year and early this year.

**Size of Fandom:**

In 2012, over [2.6 billion tickets were sold to Bollywood films](https://blogs-images.forbes.com/niallmccarthy/files/2014/09/Bollywood_2.jpg), compared to 1.3 billion in the United States and almost 0.5 billion in China during the same period. [Another source](https://www.quora.com/How-big-is-the-Bollywood-movie-market) cites 4 billion tickets (Bollywood) vs 3 billion tickets (United States), but still, that's a huge upper bound.

**Around the world:**

There are definitely fans of Bollywood films outside of India, and outside of just Indian ex-patriots. Bollywood films are known from Egypt to Pakistan, Russia (In Soviet Russia, Indian movies were fairly common due to an Indo-Russian deal and also the fact that Hollywood was quite restricted back then), Ukraine, Poland, China, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, UK, USA, Canada. They are *less* known in Europe, Africa, Latin America and Oceania.

> “About 95 per cent of these are women,” Wessel says. “They’re drawn to the movies because German culture can be quite cold, especially for men. In actors like Shah Rukh, they see a guy who is soft, romantic, not afraid to cry or show his emotional side.”

>

> — [Hindustan Times - Take a tour to see how Indian cinema has found foreign fans](http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/take-a-tour-to-see-how-our-cinema-has-found-foreign-fans/story-jfw58eD577xfA3Z8Tm2azJ.html)

**Fast facts:**

> In the 1970s, India cinema overtook America as the world's largest film producer and the term 'Bollywood' was coined.

>

> — [Leicester Mercury - Bollywood: 17 interesting facts about Indian cinema](http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/bollywood-17-interesting-facts-indian-cinema/story-26360213-detail/story.html#OHWXA1KGM801ItMY.99)

> A vast majority of Hindi films are still dubbed using synch-sound equipment. The reason for this is, most people have not invested in sound-proofing their studios. Given the camera noise, it is much more effective to have the actors dub in their voices later. Of course, this often ends up compromising on the quality of the films.

>

> — [MensXP - 10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT: BOLLYWOOD](http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/top-10s/10932-10-things-you-never-knew-about-bollywood.html)

### Are you in, or out?

**T is in.**

- T will watch a Bollywood movie at some point

**Z is in.**

**G is in.**

- Looking forward to some Shah Rukh Khan

### This week's spotlight

**[Arts for India](artsforindia.org)**

A charity organization looking to support underprivileged youth artists in India!

> While several philanthropic organizations are working towards education for poor Indian children, most of them are focused on providing basic school level education. Arts for India takes these initiatives further in supporting needy Indian students at the next level life-changing higher education at the college level.

>

> — [Arts for India](http://www.artsforindia.org/)

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Cinephiles! Because of a hiccup in the recording schedule, these famous last words are unchanged from our [Cyberpunks episode](http://fanthropological.com/e/30-cyberpunks/):

**Z**

Is there a movie marathon, cited as a cinephile’s paradise, where people are encouraged to bring in multiple-course meals?

**G**

Is it important for cinephiles to see movies in the theatre?

**T**

Are cinephiles really a fandom? Isn’t that just a pretentious title for people who watch movies? Where is the culture? The shared experience and unique terminology?

> I am already eating my words; I’ve already preheated them in the oven.

>

> — T

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Credits

### Sources

- [Wikipedia - Bollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood)

- [Quora - What is the reputation of Bollywood outside India?](https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-reputation-of-Bollywood-outside-India)

- [Quora - Which countries watch bollywood movies besides India?](https://www.quora.com/Which-countries-watch-bollywood-movies-besides-India)

- [Forbes - Indian Film Industry](https://blogs-images.forbes.com/niallmccarthy/files/2014/09/Bollywood_2.jpg)

- [Quora - How big is the Bollywood movie market?](https://www.quora.com/How-big-is-the-Bollywood-movie-market)

- [YouTube - Simpsons Indian Movie Scene](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcPrNC4AivE)

- [YouTube - Why Do Russians Like Bollywood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG3dSFnjKBk)

- [YouTube - What Foreigners Think of Bollywood Films and Indian Actresses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RowOmufQ54Q)

- [YouTube - What Americans Think of Bollywood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nMuGtNlDTs)

- [SAMAR - Bollywood Comes to Nigeria](https://web.archive.org/web/20100731164710/http://www.samarmagazine.org/archive/article.php?id=21)

- [Reddit - Bollywood Realism](https://www.reddit.com/r/BollywoodRealism/)

- [Reddit - Bollywood](https://www.reddit.com/r/bollywood/)

- [India Forums - Does IF Appeal More to Females, Males, or Both?](http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3960063)

- [Buzzfeed - Why Bollywood Songs Mean So Much To Indians Outside Of India](https://www.buzzfeed.com/rumniquenannar/jaise-shayar-ka-khwab?utm_term=.wodzWKXnW#.mtdvkLEXk)

- [MensXP - 10 THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT: BOLLYWOOD](http://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/top-10s/10932-10-things-you-never-knew-about-bollywood.html)

- [Hindustan Times - Take a tour to see how Indian cinema has found foreign fans](http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/take-a-tour-to-see-how-our-cinema-has-found-foreign-fans/story-jfw58eD577xfA3Z8Tm2azJ.html)

- [Leicester Mercury - Bollywood: 17 interesting facts about Indian cinema](http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/bollywood-17-interesting-facts-indian-cinema/story-26360213-detail/story.html#OHWXA1KGM801ItMY.99)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [India](https://thenounproject.com/term/india/302731) by [anbileru adaleru](https://thenounproject.com/pronoun) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Projector](https://thenounproject.com/term/projector/919393) by [Federico Panzano](https://thenounproject.com/panzano) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

## Episode outline

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

Published between 1954-55, the Lord of the Rings is J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy story, following the adventures of Frodo and many others, hoping to stop the evil lord Sauron.

**Fandom Origins:**

The fandom started early on with letters being written to Tolkien about Middle-earth and the characters. In the 1960s, hippie counter-culture found some resonance with the book and helped it to become a best seller. Several fan groups started around this time: The Tolkien Society, and the Mythopeic Society, to name a few.

Anti-fandom seems to have existed since as early as 1969 when co-founders of National Lampoon authored their novel, *Bored of the Rings*.

Of course, there are tons of other bits of history, and the books (and fandom) have impacted music and academics alike.

Online fandom started around 1993, with newsgroups like `alt.fan.tolkien` and `rec.arts.books.tolkien`.

> He wrote of a "deplorable cultus" of fandom, and stated that ""Many young Americans are involved in the stories in a way that I'm not". He was referring to the "Go Go Gandalf" and "Frodo Lives" buttons and stickers that had cropped up on many American college campuses.

> Peter S. Beagle wrote that he'd once told the Professor about a young man who "thought he was Frodo," and Tolkien said "I've ruined their lives."

>

> — [Fanlore - The Lord of the Rings](https://fanlore.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)

**Names:**

Ringer (fairly recent, limited to *Lord of the Rings*); Tolkienist (usually refers to students of Elvish languages or fans of Tolkien). LOTRians.

**Most Active:**

The fandom was probably the most active when the books came out. Based on [data from Google Trends](https://trends.google.ca/trends/explore?date=all&q=Lord%20of%20the%20Rings), it was most popular in 2004 with small spikes around December and January in 2005, December in 2012, December in 2013, and December in 2014. Coincidentally, *The Lord of the Rings* movies were released in December 2001, December 2002, and December 2003, and *The Hobbit* movies were released in December 2012, December 2013, and December 2014.

There is some evidence to support that, in general, *The Lord of the Rings* is less popular now. For example, [DragonCon removed its Middle-Earth programming track](http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2017/01/09/102662-dragoncon-to-dissolve-tolkiens-middle-earth-track/) in favour of general fantasy programming.

**Size of Fandom:**

Based on sales of the book, there is an upper-bound somewhere around 150 million (as the book has sold over 150 million copies).

It was hard to find *The Lord of the Rings* specific conventions and conferences, but we did come across Tolkienmoot, which has been running since 2005 and has attendance of between twenty and fifty people in person, and one hundred to two hundred online.

**Where does fandom live:**

The fandom doesn't live in one specific place; where the fandom lives depends on whether fans are more interested in the movies, Tolkien, etc. [theOneRing.net](http://theOneRing.net) remains fairly popular.

**Fanfics:**

In a rare turn of events, *Fanfiction.net* has more entries than *Archive of our own*:

- Fanfiction.net: Approximately 55 000 fanfics

- Archive of our own: Approximately 17 000 fanfics

### Are you in, or out?

**T is out.**

**Z is out... as far as *Lord of the Rings*, but *in* for Tolkien.**

**G is in... on the whole.**

### This week's spotlight

> When Dan makes Arin watch Lord of the Rings, I will donate $100 to charity. Feel free to contribute to the pool or suggest charities.

>

> — [Reddit: When Dan makes Arin watch Lord of the Rings, I will donate $100 to charity.](https://www.reddit.com/r/gamegrumps/comments/39fej5/when_dan_makes_arin_watch_lord_of_the_rings_i/)

**[The Tolkien Society](https://www.tolkiensociety.org/)**

> The Tolkien Society is an educational charity, literary society, and international fan club, devoted to promoting the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

> Registering in England (charity no. 273809), the Society was founded in 1969 and received the blessing of Tolkien himself when he agreed to become the Society’s president; he remains the Society’s president to this day whilst his daughter, Priscilla, serves as our Vice-President.

> Although based in the U. K., the Society has hundreds of members in dozens of countries around the world who hold local events in their areas and who all receive the Society’s journals Amon Hen and Mallorn. What binds all members together is a shared passion for the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Bollywood movie fans!

**Z**

In *The Simpsons*, when Apu lives with the Simpsons temporarily, they watch a bollywood movie together. That movie now exists.

**G**

Are western fans of Bollywood also interested in Indian culture in general?

**T**

What is the most ridiculous Bollywood film that exists?

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Credits

### Sources

- [Lord of the Rings Wiki - Fandom](http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Fandom)

- [Wikipedia - Lord of the Rings](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings)

- [Wikipedia - Works Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_inspired_by_J._R._R._Tolkien)

- [Wikipedia - Tolkien Fandom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolkien_fandom)

- [Wikipedia - Tolkien Reading Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolkien_Reading_Day)

- [Vox.com - Why We're Terrified of Fanfiction](https://www.vox.com/2016/6/2/11531406/why-were-terrified-fanfiction-teen-girls)

- [Wikipedia - Elfcon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elfconners)

- [The One Wiki to Rule Them All - Fandom](http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Fandom)

- [WikiHow - How to Become a Lord of the Rings Fan: 10 Steps (with Pictures)](http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Lord-of-the-Rings-Fan)

- [Vulture - The 25 Most Devoted Fan Bases](http://www.vulture.com/2012/10/25-most-devoted-fans/slideshow/19/)

- [Reddit - What Am I Missing with LotR?](https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/20e9bx/what_am_i_missing_with_lotr/)

- [Reddit - My Addiction and Why The Lord of the Rings Means so Much to Me](https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/35qe41/my_addiction_and_why_the_lord_of_the_rings_means/)

- [Reddit - Why do You Study Tolkien's World and what Benefits Do You Find Through Doing So?](https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/2hsmuw/why_do_you_study_tolkiens_world_and_what_benefits/)

- [Reddit - Why Do You Read Fantasy?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/3tl7b3/why_do_you_read_fantasy/)

- [The Odyssey Online - Why People Read Fantasy Books](https://www.theodysseyonline.com/people-read-fantasy-books)

- [YouTube - Brandon Sanderson: Writing of Epic Proportions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pLdI8f5BiI)

- [TheOneRing.net - DragonCon to Dissolve Tolkien’s Middle-earth Track](http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2017/01/09/102662-dragoncon-to-dissolve-tolkiens-middle-earth-track/)

- [Fanlore - Acafan](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Acafan)

- [Mythopoeic Society - About the Society](http://www.mythsoc.org/about.htm)

- [The Tolkien Society - Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.tolkiensociety.org/author/faq/#popular)

- [Reddit - What were the initial reactions from fans when the movies were first released?](https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/6agojy/what_were_the_initial_reactions_from_fans_when/)

- [Fanlore - Tentmoot](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Tentmoot)

- [Fanlore - When a fan hits the shit](https://fanlore.org/wiki/When_a_Fan_Hits_the_Shit)

- [Quora - What is so great about The Lord of the Rings?](https://www.quora.com/What-is-so-great-about-The-Lord-of-the-Rings)

- [Biorgraphy Online - Why is Lord of the Rings so Popular?](http://www.biographyonline.net/writers/lord_of_rings_popular.html)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Wizard](https://thenounproject.com/term/wizard/164465) by [Wes Breazell](https://thenounproject.com/wes13) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

The Nickscast wanders down a gritty alleyway, away from the bright lights and ads to jack-in to their terminals to talk about fans of cyberpunk! Is cyberpunk still relevant to today? What happened to it all? What does it mean for a work to be cyberpunk (vs transhuman) and what does it mean to be a fan of something so broad as a genre? We find out!

Next week, we'll be having a special-guest friend (and fellow Nick) join us as we talk about fans of movies, cinephiles!

## Episode outline

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

Cyberpunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, and, as such, is hard to pin down in terms of a fandom. Sometimes it is an element of a work, and other times it is merely an aesthetic.

> In the 1980s, authors like William Gibson and Bruce Sterling wrote dystopian novels set 20 Minutes into the Future, where they explored themes such as the impact of modern technology on everyday life, the rise of the global datasphere as an arena for communication, commerce, conflict, and crime, and invasive cybernetic body modifications. The heroes of these in dark and cynical stories were marginalized, disillusioned, and rebellious "punks" striving for survival against overwhelming odds, often futilely, in corrupt megacities and surreal cyberspace realms. Bruce Bethke called this Cyberpunk, and it was good.

>

> — [TVTropes - Punk Punk](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PunkPunk)

It is often referred to as "a combination of lowlife and high tech".

> There is no shortage of different definitions of cyberpunk

>

> — T

Some examples of cyberpunk (or post-cyberpunk) works include:

- Blade Runner

- Ghost in the Shell

- Neuromancer

- Deus Ex

- Bubblegum Crisis

- Cowboy Bebop

- Psycho-pass

**Most Active:**

According to this [analysis of novels and movies released each year from 1980 to 2007 by io9](http://io9.gizmodo.com/346365/the-rise-and-fall-of-cyberpunk), cyberpunk was most popular in the mid-90s, most notably between 1992 and 1995.

### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/29-twin-peaks-fans/) Famous Last Words

**Matt**: Will *Cyberpunk 2077* be the greatest game of all time? Period. End of discussion.

> ... [Cyberpunk] will not be the greatest game of all time. It can't be, because Chrono Trigger is the greatest game of all time. Period. End of Discussion.

>

> — T

**Z**: Have the graphics that cyberpunks make improved since the *Cyberpunks* documentary?

> In 27 years of technology, the graphical capabilities of *literally everyone* improved.

>

> — G

**G**: How important is the *punk* to *cyberpunk* (politically) in 2017?

> Cyberpunk was a reaction to the utopian vision of the future.

>

> — G

> If sci-fi is humans with technology, then cyberpunk is humans versus technology.

>

> — G

**T**: Is cyberpunk still a thing? Or is it an aesthetic?

> Cyberpunk [now] is an aesthetic because the real world is horrifying!

>

> — T

### What did we discuss?

The difficulty of discussing a genre as compared to a fandom ~ transhumanism and its relation to cyberpunk ~ cyberpunk as a reaction to 1950s utopias ~ cyberpunk and rise of tech noir, digital libertarianism ~ is cyberpunk still a thing? ~ cyberpunk and the dystopia that is the modern day ~ cyberpunk as an aesthetic ~ cyberpunk and its individual, human stories ~ technology going too far ~ anti-consumerism and advertising as key piece of cyberpunk

### In or out

**Z is *kind of* in.**

> **T**: It's a boolean operation! License revoked!

> **Z**: Oh no! I'm contractually obliged to stay in!

- Z will probably check out *Neuromancer*, and *Snow Crash*

**G is in.**

> A good litmus test is how excited I get about the thing doing the research for the thing.

>

> — G

**T is in.**

> When I was looking at some of the things that qualify as cyberpunk or post-cyberpunk I was like, "Yeah! I am all over this!"

>

> — T

> Is this the first time since we've created the *In or Out* segment that we've all been in?

>

> — G

### This week's spotlight

**[Electronic Frontier Foundation](https://supporters.eff.org/donate)**

> Probably the most cyberpunk thing that exists that isn't awful ... it is the resistance: the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

>

> — T

A charity notable in today's world as it fights for net neutrality, free speech, anonymity, blogger's rights, fair use, and much, much more.

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

> Because we mentioned the greatest game of all time...

>

> — T

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Cinephiles!

> This is our chance to really screw things up and say something stupid about next week's topic. We don't have to, but sometimes it happens.

>

> — T

**Z**

Is there a movie marathon, cited as a cinephile's paradise, where people are encouraged to bring in multiple-course meals?

**G**

Is it important for cinephiles to see movies in theatre?

**T**

Are cinephiles really a fandom? Isn't that just a pretentious title for people who watch movies? Where is the culture? The shared experience and unique terminology?

> I am already eating my words; I've already preheated them in the oven.

>

> — T

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Notable quotes from this episode

> We're here to deliver the eulogy for the MP3. It was fine, I guess.

>

> — G

> I thought what I'd do is pretend I was one of those deaf mutes.

>

> — T

> **T**: It's a dangerous world, this meatspace.

> **Z**: It can get kind of sweaty in meatspace.

> Maybe cyberpunk isn't a fandom, per se. That's a loaded question to drop so early in the episode!

>

> — T

> T: Grrr. Hate it. Hate Cyberpunk! It's garbage. Send your hate mail to [email protected]

> G: Wait what?!

> T: Can't send it to Z; he'd be all polite about it.

> Compared to what was being written in the 80's, we're in the future.

>

> — G

> We live in cyberpunk.

>

> — T

> Today, in real life, and in fiction, we already have plenty of examples of that sort of dystopia.

>

> — T

> Tech noir ... is a gritty dark reality where you can't really trust anything except for yourself and your technology.

>

> — Z

> Blade Runner is supposed to be Hong Kong on a bad day ...

>

> — G

> While it is humans versus technology, it's not really anti-technology, it's about the spirit behind it. It's about people going too far with technology.

>

> — G

> The appeal of cyberpunk is mostly the idea of an unbreakable link between man and his technology when everything else is untrustworthy.

>

> — Z

> ... With cyberpunk, it's more about the individual. ... Whereas with transhumanism, it's more about how technology can help everybody.

>

> — G

> Where is rural cyberpunk?

>

> — T

> Cyberpunk is supposed to be, in the spirit of dystopia, "this could be us, you guys"!

>

> — G

> **T**: Having cyborgs is not a key component of cyberpunk.

> **G**: ...and should not be a key component of *the Justice League* either.

> You could summarize cyberpunk as revolution in the present from the future. The problem with that though is that the future is always changing.

>

> — Z

> Why would you have an unadorned wall when you could have an ad there?

>

> — T

> I'll see you in the future where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.

>

> — G

## Credits

### Sources

- [Wikipedia - Cyberpunk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk)

- [TVTropes - Punk Punk](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PunkPunk)

- [Cybertek - Why Cyberpunk?](http://cd.textfiles.com/blackcrawling/CYBERTEK/X0028_~2.HTM)

- [Salon - Is Cyberpunk still breathing?](http://www.salon.com/1998/09/14/books_26/)

- [Reddit - Why do people come here to r/cyberpunk when they don't even like cyberpunk or know anything about it?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/5eihke/why_do_people_come_here_to_rcyberpunk_when_they/)

- [Reddit - Discussion - Cyberpunk fans, what are your social/political beliefs?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/332dl1/discussion_cyberpunk_fans_what_are_your/)

- [Reddit - The opposite of cyberpunk.](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/6a7rep/the_opposite_of_cyberpunk/)

- [Reddit - You're a punk living in a hi tech dystopian city, what's in your pockets?](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cyberpunk/comments/6b0hd0/youre_a_punk_living_in_a_hi_tech_dystopian_city/)

- [Reddit - Is Cyberpunk Dead?](https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunktalk/comments/17te1k/is_cyberpunk_dead/)

- [Reddit - Why Is This Place Dead?](https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunktalk/comments/3itpzf/why_this_place_is_dead/)

- [Reddit - Why Do You Like Cyberpunk?](https://www.reddit.com/r/cyberpunktalk/comments/3tswks/why_do_you_like_cyberpunk/)

- [Fanlore - Cyberpunk](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Cyberpunk)

- [Vice - What Happened to Cyberpunk?](https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/what-happened-to-cyberpunk--2-slice-of-sneaker)

- [Wikipedia - William Gibson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gibson)

- [TVTropes - Moh's scale of science fiction hardness](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MohsScaleOfScienceFictionHardness)

- [Wikipedia - Bruce Sterling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Sterling)

- [io9 - The Rise and Fall of Cyberpunk](http://io9.gizmodo.com/346365/the-rise-and-fall-of-cyberpunk)

- [IGN - Cyberpunk 2077: Putting the Punk back into Cyberpunk](http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/05/01/cyberpunk-2077-putting-the-punk-back-into-cyberpunk)

- [The Internet Crashed - The “punk” in Cyberpunk](http://theinternetcrashed.com/2010/08/the-punk-in-cyberpunk/)

- [PC Gamer - It's time for cyberpunk games to remember how to be punk](http://www.pcgamer.com/its-time-for-cyberpunk-games-to-remember-how-to-be-punk/#)

- [Goodreads - Who took the punk out of cyberpunk?](https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1200461-who-took-the-punk-out-of-cyberpunk)

- [Neon Dystopia - What is Cyberpunk?](https://www.neondystopia.com/what-is-cyberpunk/)

- [YouTube - Cyberpunk: The Documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdvxPlhTjDU)

- [YouTube - Why Do We Love Cyberpunk?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy8-F1Q1a54)

- [YouTube - Cyberpunk 2077: Exclusive Mike Pondsmith About the Cyberpunk World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPZxkhLoukI)

- [Cyberpunk.net](http://www.cyberpunk.net/)

- [One Angry Gamer - CD Projekt Red Seeks More Artists for Cyberpunk 2077](http://www.oneangrygamer.net/2017/04/cd-projekt-red-now-looking-for-more-artists-for-cyberpunk-2077/29753/)

- [Trusted Reviews - Cyberpunk 2077: Everything We Know](http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/cyberpunk-2077-release-date-gameplay-trailer-news-story-preorder-wishlist)

- [Writerly Goodness - WorldCon 2016: Is Cyberpunk Still a Thing?](https://melaniemarttila.ca/2016/10/15/worldcon-2016-is-cyberpunk-still-a-thing/)

- [iGNANT.com - Digital Art: Beyond the Hype](https://www.ignant.com/2015/11/24/digital-art-beyond-the-hype/)

- [PlayStation LifeStyle - Author Behind “Cyberpunk” Talks Cyberpunks 2077 Trademark](http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/04/15/bruce-bethke-talks-cyberpunk-2077-trademark/)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Tiles](https://thenounproject.com/term/tiles/47574) by [Jakob Vogel](https://thenounproject.com/jakobvogel) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Incognito](https://thenounproject.com/term/incognito/43596) by [Alen Krummenacher](https://thenounproject.com/crumenko) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

This Nickscast are entering the spooky woods, going beneath the surface to see what's really going on in the weird world of Twin Peaks fandom! Why did it get a revival? Are there really a lot of Twin Peaks fans? We'll get the fans-eye view (and no backwards talking) on this week's episode!

Next week, we’ll be jacking-in to our new deck and diving into the world of fans of Cyberpunk!

## Episode outline

### Fandom Facts

> There's likely as much mystery surrounding the fandom as there is surrounding the show.

>

> — T

**Origins:**

Twin Peaks was a cult TV series that ran for two seasons in the early 1990s created by David Lynch. It received a film prequel in 1992 (_Fire Walk With Me_), and will have a revival this month on Showtime. The story begins around the murder of a high-school homecoming queen and quickly changes to... something different entirely.

**Fandom Demographics:**

Hard to estimate size: The Twin Peaks festival has about 7000 followers on Twitter, and the Twin Peaks subreddit has about 24000 subscribers.

Looking at [IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098936/ratings), the majority are people between ages 30-44, skewing towards male. Looking at the IMDB data, there are 120 000 ratings for Twin Peaks. To get a sense of scale, _Batman Begins_ has about 1 million ratings (as does Avatar), Disney's _the Lion King_ has about 700 000, and _the X-files_ has about 160 000.

**Changes in Fandom:**

Interest in the fandom has remained relatively constant (relative to the peak) [according to Google Trends](https://trends.google.ca/trends/explore?date=all&q=twin%20peaks) with some spikes since the announcement of a revival [in October 2014](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks_(2017_TV_series)#Announcement).

One of the largest fan festivals, the [Twin Peaks Festival](https://www.twinpeaksfest.com/), has attendance capped at about 200 people, though previously attendance was less than 100 people, typically. Starting in about 2012 it started to sell out, indicating there is some more recent interest in the show.

> The first year I went it took, I think, over a month for the tickets to sell out. This year, it took less than a day.

>

> — Matt

**Around the world:**

Fans from around the world: mostly North America, but also [UK, Spain, Germany, Poland, Italy, Japan, Russia, Brazil](https://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/peaks-freaks-how-the-most-devoted-twin-peaks-fans-are-prepping-for-its-return)

> When you go to the [Twin Peaks] Fest they give you a pamphlet with the names of all the attendees and the countries they're from.

>

> — Matt

**Related fandoms:**

X-files, Northern Exposure

**Fanfics:**

> For the love of cherry pie, why is no one writing me Twin Peaks fic? Okay, so the series is going on 15 years old, all but passed into media oblivion, and the fan-writers have long since migrated to other series, leaving behind only stories fossilized in now inaccessible print zines, since their time was but the dawning of the Internet. But still. We're talking one of the worst cliffhangers ever inflicted on fen, with no canonical closure ever granted. I need fic. I crave it.

>

> — [Fanlore: Twin Peaks](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks)

Archive of our own has only about 450 fanfics, and Fanfiction.net also has a fairly small contingent at about 180.

> Some of the fanzines that they [Fanlore] referenced were just strictly fanfic and at least two of them were like one-hundred fifty plus page fanfic novels.

>

> — Z

> The only fanfic we ever featured on our show was a slashfic between Cooper and Truman.

>

> — Matt

> My favourite little bit from the Fanlore article is "a common trope is 'fix it' fic for the second season finale".

>

> — G

Worth noting is that David Lynch loves reading people fan theories though!

### [Last episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/28-transfans/) Famous Last Words

**Z**: David Bowie's appearance in *Firewalk with me* significantly increased sales of his music.

> **T**: Matt, can you confirm his [Nick Z's] ludicrous claim?

> **Matt**: No, I cannot, but I would highly doubt it.

> For those of you joining us late, welcome to the David Bowie podcast...

>

> — T

**G**: Did *Twin Peaks* have a notable effect on coffee and donut consumption in the US?

- Hard to quantify, but based on the growth of Starbucks at the time (number of franchise locations and expansion of its headquarters), its possible!

**T**: If *Twin Peaks* is a show that wrapped up the plot, then kept going, then ended... why would it get a sequel?

### What did we discuss?

The Twin Peaks Revival ~ How Twin Peaks "survived" its second season via fandom ~ David Lynch's directing style ~ Television and storytelling in the early 90s ~ Distinction between David Lynch fans and Twin Peaks fans ~ The Beginning of Supernatural television and "Mystery Box" shows ~ The unpredictability of Twin Peaks ~ fans attempting to decipher an answerless mystery ~ The influence of the Pacific Northwest on television ~

### Are you in, or out?

**Z is in.**

> Looking back now, I couldn't tell you why I decided to start watching it through once a year but I still really enjoy it ... it's a show that keeps on giving.

>

> — Z

- Probably will participate more; visiting [r/twinpeaks](http://reddit.com/r/twinpeaks), the [Dugpa forums](http://www.dugpa.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3)

**T is out.**

> I'm on this weird line ... Do I want to watch this? Am I just going to watch this out of morbid curiousity?

>

> — T

- T will watch the first three episodes of the series to give it a shot... probably

> By the end of the season I'm going to have a big viewing library

>

> — T

**G is in.**

> There would be lots to glean from a second and, I assume, a third, fourth, and fifth viewing.

>

> — G

**Matt is in.**

### This week's spotlight

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Cyberpunk fans!

**Matt**

Will _Cyberpunk 2077_ be the greatest game of all time? Period. End of discussion.

**G**

How important is the punk to cyberpunk (politically) in 2017?

**Z**

Have the graphics that cyberpunks make improved since the _Cyberpunks_ movie?

**T**

Is Cyberpunk still a thing? Or is it an aesthetic?

## Where can I learn more about Matt Humphrey?

You can check out Matt's [Twin Peaks Podcast](http://twinpeakspodcast.blogspot.ca/), or one of his many other projects, such as...

- [Intro to Brisco County](http://introbrisco.blogspot.com/), a podcast about the show of the same name ([starring Bruce Campbell, a man we've talked about before]())

- [Matt is wrong about games (Podcast)](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/matt-is-wrong-about-games/id1058695895)

- [Shenmue AM2 Podcast](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/shenmue-am2-podcast/id1166752613)

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Notable quotes from this episode

> I am pretty much out of my element this week.

>

> — T

> I am so much in my element right now that I feel like a fish in a percolator.

>

> — Z

> I kind of blasphemed right before this: I had chai tea

>

> — Matt

> I have a border of a puzzle. And I don't know where I put the box. Maybe I never had the rest of the box, who knows!

>

> — T

> **Z**: ...Basically, my statement is compeltely indefendible

> **G**: We're all completely shocked here.

> **G**: Who's next?

> **T**: I'm gonna go with G and I'm hoping you have a much shorter answer

> Not a lot of shows have been on the air for one or two seasons and then have managed to see it come back from the edge. Firefly fans are still waiting for that.

>

> — T

> Questions aggressively unanswered, I would say, at the finale of the second season

>

> — G

> I think it would have cemented its status as ... just something that went completely off the rails and was just the prime example of a complete failure

>

> — Matt (regarding the "doorknob" episode)

> It's an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a plastic sheet...

>

> — G

> **T**: But then the show ends and... there's all sorts of loose ends that are never resolved

> **Matt**: That's what hurts so bad

> You don't just call up the mayor of Portland and get him on the phone.

>

> — G

> You have to explain why things are happening to people. They can't all be ramped shots and drawer pulls.

>

> — G

> **T**: Drawer Pulls? Like, a knob?

> **Matt**: You've never been trapped in one of those?

> **T**: See, now I am definitely out of my element.

> The woods in Twin Peaks are evil and that wood must have been manufactured in Twin Peaks I guess?

>

> — Matt (regarding characters trapped in drawer pulls)

> I was wondering if there is anyone for whom Twin Peaks is not Lynch enough.

>

> — G

> There's a lot of just "what is Twin Peaks"? ... while the central mystery that drove the show ended, the show itself is just a bigger mystery.

>

> — G

> There's no clear answers in the show. You've gotta use your noggin'.

>

> — Matt

> Do you want to do a cop show? The executives would be like "Yeah great, but maybe he's a ghost!"

>

> — Matt

> Stop re-imagining things as police procedurals!

>

> — G

> People love to talk about the mysteries that don't get solved.

>

> — Matt

> ...I never really questioned the first couple times I watched the show how bad Cooper is at his job.

>

> — Matt

> He even admits it at one point in one of the episode. He's like, "I've relied on bureau method, and luck, and intuition, and Tibetan method, and now I need some magic". And I'm like, do proper detective work please!

>

> — Matt

> **Z**: I don't want to turn this into a Twin Peaks theory podcast...

> **G**: Yeah you do!

> There's some strange people out there who are obsessive and I don't like those people, so I would change them!

>

> — Matt (on what to change about Twin Peaks fandom)

> The final episode is the greatest episode of television I've ever seen.

>

> — Matt

## Thanks

Special thanks to Matt Humphrey (our guest) for taking the time to chat with him, late into the night!

## Credits

### Sources

- [Wikipedia - Fire Walk With Me](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks:_Fire_Walk_with_Me)

- [Wikipedia - Tin Machine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Machine)

- [Wikipedia - Tin Machine II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Machine_II)

- [Wikipedia - Tin Machine Live: Oy Vey, Baby](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Machine_Live:_Oy_Vey,_Baby)

- [Wikipedia - Twin Peaks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks)

- [Fanlore - Twin Peaks](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks)

- [Fanlore - Conjunction (Twin Peaks Zine)](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Conjunction_(Twin_Peaks_zine))

- [Fanlore - Dreams Unwind](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Dreams_Unwind)

- [Fanlore - Fish in the Percolator](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Fish_in_the_Percolator)

- [Fanlore - Twin Peaks Gazette](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks_Gazette)

- [Reddit - Why is the show 'Twin Peaks' considered such a classic?](https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/3igjmt/why_is_the_show_twin_peaks_considered_such_a/)

- [Reddit - Ok, what is everyone's obsession with Twin Peaks?](https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/2ch60c/ok_what_is_everyones_obsession_with_twin_peaks/cjfmzac/)

- [Vice - After 25 Years, the Twin Peaks Festival Is Still Wonderful, Still Strange](https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/after-25-years-the-twin-peaks-festival-is-still-wonderful-still-strange-805)

- [Vice - peaks freaks: how the most devoted ‘twin peaks’ fans are prepping for its return](https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/peaks-freaks-how-the-most-devoted-twin-peaks-fans-are-prepping-for-its-return)

- [Vice i-D - peaks freaks: how the most devoted twin peaks fans are prepping for its return](https://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/peaks-freaks-how-the-most-devoted-twin-peaks-fans-are-prepping-for-its-return)

- [Mashable - Why 'Twin Peaks' Isn't Just a TV Show — It's an Obsession](http://mashable.com/2014/10/06/twin-peaks-coming-back-showtime/#OrBJK1vdngqP)

- [Esquire - How Twin Peaks Invented Modern Internet Fandom](http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a34227/twin-peaks-internet-fandom/)

- [Entertainment Weekly - Twin Peaks revival: 8 things fans need to know](http://ew.com/tv/2017/03/30/twin-peaks-revival-everything-we-know/)

- [LynchNet.com - David Lynch Keeps His Head](http://www.lynchnet.com/lh/lhpremiere.html)

- [Radio Times - David Lynch loves reading Twin Peaks fan theories – and hopes there are more to come](http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-05-02/david-lynch-loves-reading-twin-peaks-fan-theories--and-hopes-there-are-more-to-come)

- [The Guardian - How Twin Peaks led a fan into and out of trouble](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/may/29/how-twin-peaks-fan-trouble-northwest-passage)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Mountains](https://thenounproject.com/term/mountains/591571) by [Iconic](https://thenounproject.com/iconproducer) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

This Nickscast are covering an unfortunately named fandom: TransFans (Transformers fans). What is it about a franchise so tied to toys and the 80s that helps its fandom to grow and thrive today? What is its key demographic? Why did Orson Welles get involved in the Tranformers movie? And where is all the Transformers fanfic? This week, we're going to transform and roll out (to find out)!

Next week, we'll be working our way through the mysterious pines to a place thats all sunshine and roses on the outside, but suspicious and enigmatic on the inside; we'll be talking about Twin Peaks fans.

## Episode outline

### [Last episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/27-sherlockians/) Famous Last Words

**Z:** Why did Orson Welles agree to be in this movie?

> The Transformers: The Movie was the final film to which Orson Welles contributed. Welles was in declining health during production. Shortly before he died, he told his biographer, Barbara Leaming, "You know what I did this morning? I played the voice of a toy." He elaborated, "I play a planet. I menace somebody called Something-or-other. Then I'm destroyed. My plan to destroy Whoever-it-is is thwarted and I tear myself apart on the screen." According to director Nelson Shin, Welles had been pleased to accept the role after reading the script and had expressed an admiration for animated films

>

> — [Wikipedia - The Transformers: The Movie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers:_The_Movie)

> **Z**: ... I found a reddit AMA ...

> **G**: Orson Welles did an AMA?!

> **T**: From BEYOND THE GRAVE

> It is his enduring legacy, and I guess Citizen Kane or something

>

> — G

**G:** Why was Weird Al's *Dare to be stupid* included in the movie? Who thought that was a good idea?

> It was used as the music for the "Junkions attack" and "Junkions become friends" scenes in the movie; the song's rampant pop-culture referencing certainly fits with the pop-culture-talking Junkions.

> Reportedly, it was included in the movie soundtrack because Scotti Bros. Records decided to promote acts on their label heavily, and Al (always popular with the kids) was one of the biggest. As Al himself tells it, he just got a phone call one day and said "Okay", and that was basically the last he heard about it, save the royalty checks.

>

> — [TransformersWiki - Dare to be Stupid](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dare_to_Be_Stupid)

**T:** Who is the primary demographic supposed to be? Still going, can only assume it's 30-somethings.

> ... Michael Bay takes a weird, reverse approach with the ‘Transformers’ films: the primary target audience for these films is adults, but Bay is talking down to them as if they were children, and the humor and subject matter is exceedingly regressive.

>

> — [Screencrush - Trying to Understand the 'Transformers' Franchise: What Is the Meaning of All This?](http://screencrush.com/transformers-franchise-meaning/?trackback=tsmclip)

> I will stand by my words though! I'm still not sure who the important audience is.

>

> — T

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

> Origins: this is actually a bit dizzying. There's a lot of different origins of Transformers.

>

> — T

Varied. All franchises are focused on a race of transforming sentient beings with one faction, the Autobots—lead by Optimus Prime—in their struggle against the Decepticons—lead by Megatron. The reasons for the clash differ from series to series. There are at least six different universes.

- Generation 1 (G1): 1984-1987

- Robots in Disguise: 2001-2002

- The Unicron trilogy: 2002-2006 (Armada, Energon, Cybertron)

- Live-action films: 2007—present

- Transformers animated: 2007-2009

- Transformers prime: 2010-2013

> That is a lot of just origins! I don't usually spend nearly as much time talk about the things [Transformers].

>

> — T

**Fandom Origins:**

The first fan activity was probably the letters pages in the G1 comics by Marvel. There was also the Secret Transformer Autobot Rescue Squad (S.T.A.R.S.) fan club, but interaction between fans was still quite limited. Unofficial fan clubs started as early as 1986, like the Transmasters club. Some fan clubs were officially recognized by Hasbro in 1991 which started the use of the Transformers likeness for use in non-profit purposes.

> I would like to go into more detail but there is SO. MUCH. HISTORY.

>

> — T

**Names:**

Transfans, Transformers fans, TF Fans

**Most Active:**

Probably the early 2000s to the present, referred to as "The Big Bang"; a nostalgia boom sparked by the movies. The movies have been a huge factor.

**Size of Fandom:**

As usual, this is hard to estimate. If BotCon is any indication (which is supposed to be the largest transformers convention, and was the only officially licensed one), at least [between 3000 and 4000](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/BotCon). TFCON, another large convention, reports attendance around [2500](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TFcon). Assuming a funnel of fans where there are less fans attending conventions and more consuming the media in general, this puts a lower bound on the fandom.

**Around the world:**

Mostly North American, though there are conventions in Europe and Asia as well.

> In 1998, several Scandinavian Transformers fans decided to form their own fanclub, the Nordic TransFans Association, which eventually got its own website, NTFA.net, in 2001. NTFA remains one of the largest European Transformers fan communities to this very day.

>

> — [TransformersWiki - Fandom](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fandom)

**Where does fandom live:**

Mostly in a few websites, and in real life:

- [Transformers World 2005](http://news.tfw2005.com/)

- [SeiberTron](https://www.seibertron.com/)

**Fanfics:**

Archive of our own has approximately 20000 (all Transformers media)

Fanfiction.net has approximately ~1600 for Transformers / Beast Wars, and 930 for the new movies

### What did we discuss?

The enduring Transformers franchise (toys and media) ~ Different draws to the Transformers franchise ~ Build-your-own canon ~ Highly curative element to Transformers fandom ~ Stickiness of canon and multiple universes ~ Retelling of the same story ~ Irreconcilability of Transformers canon ~ Potential toxicity of Transformers fandom ~ Division built right into the fandom ~ Isolation of minorities in a mono-cultural fandom ~ Speculation on the openness / closedness of Transformers fans

### This week's spotlight

**[TFCon](http://www.tfcon.ca/)**

World's largest fan-run Transformers convention. Started in 2002, and often has voice actors from the different shows in attendance. Located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada!

**[(Kiriska's) 2017 Artist Alley Survey](https://goo.gl/c8Nc4B)**

Are you an artist at conventions and want to help gather useful data for Fanthropology? A friend of ours, Kiriska, is gathering data on Artist Alley attendees and is providing the data for free (and you can buy the reports for $5, if you don't want to do your own analysis). You can even check out the [2016 results](http://kiriska.com/blog/2017/04/2016-artist-alley-survey-results/).

> I just love it because its the intersection of the fannish part which is subjective and the data part which is objective.

>

> — T (Kiriska's survey)

> ...But you'd never figure any of that stuff out unless you had data, and nobody collects that data because its hard to get!

>

> — T

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Are you in, or out?

**G is out.**

> Transformers doesn't interest me at all.

>

> — G

**T is out.**

> I'm out. ... There's a lot of vibes I'm getting from this fandom that I'm not enthused by.

>

> — T

**Z is out.**

> I could not tell you why I enjoyed the movie as a kid.

>

> — Z

> **T**: I mean, if you want fighting robots, you've got Pacific Rim, Evangelion, Godannar, G Gundam, any other Gundams, Voltron...

> **G**: I don't like mechs at all and I love the new Voltron!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Twin Peaks!

**G**

Did twin peaks have a notable effect on coffee and donut consumption in the US?

**T**

If *Twin Peaks* is a show that wrapped up the plot, then kept going then ended... why would it get a sequel?

**Z**

David Bowie's appearance in *Firewalk with me* significantly increased sales of his music.

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Notable quotes from this episode

> I hope you all listening out there are enjoying your sunny, sunny day because we have not enjoyed one in many weeks.

>

> — G

> Being alone at the top of the show is much easier with a second person.

>

> — G

> Scott McNeil always turns up somewhere.

>

> — G (Regarding Beast Wars)

> I got out of that bucket of syrup alright though.

>

> — Z

> Dying of embarrassment is, like, the most Japanese premise for a series I can think of.

>

> — G (regarding Konosuba)

> Sometimes there's only a finite amount of story.

>

> — G

> It's hard not to talk Transformers and not talk about the toys, because the show doesn't make sense unless you realize that its because of the toy...

>

> — G

> **Z**: ...this is from an article entitled "How Transformers Have Sex"

> **T**: I AM INTRIGUED.

> Maybe this is like the T / not-T divide where we're talking about a fandom that is highly oriented around collecting things, and that falls off my cliff of understanding.

>

> — T

> Imagine when the toy transformers came out. It's two different things. It's a car or a jet or whatever, and it turns into a robot. Compare that to GI Joe!

>

> — G

> I think that its a toxic kind of fandom. That might be taking it too far, but I am going to deliberately place that inflammatory statement like a ticking time bomb at the centre of this discussion!

>

> — T

> **G**: People enjoy being transformers fans because they like having those arguments

> **T**: That's possible, that just makes me very sad

> What better way to assert your identity than to say, "this particular configuration of transformers is the best one"...

>

> — G

> **T**: If you say the fifth doctor is the best doctor...

> **G**: ... which he is

> ...Hard to get a kind of view of the fandom. In this one it seemed more like looking I'm through a keyhole than a window.

>

> — T

> Up to this point, there hasn't been a Transformers series where its just the Transformers going through high school or working 9-to-5 jobs, or meeting in cafes and having love triangles

>

> — Z

> Hasbro, make it so.

>

> — Z

> I wasn't talking about the subtle classist war that is bubbling between the unicorns and the pegasi and the horses.

>

> — T

> Transformers fandom: a turkey.

>

> — Z

## Credits

### Sources

- [Wikipedia – Transformers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers)

- [Fanlore - Transformers](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Transformers)

- [Kotaku - Leave Michael Bay Alone, Transformers Is Awesome](http://kotaku.com/leave-michael-bay-alone-transformers-is-awesome-1596887614)

- [TFormers - Hasbro Publishes Timeline to Movie](http://tformers.com/Hasbro-Publishes-Transformers-Timeline-to-Movie/7132/news.html)

- [Dunmurderin' - How Transformers Have Sex -- Teal Deer Alert (Updated 01/30/2009)](http://dunmurderin.livejournal.com/46084.html)

- [TransformersWiki - Fandom](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Fandom)

- [TransformersWiki - S.T.A.R.S.](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/S.T.A.R.S.)

- [TransformersWiki - Continuity](http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Continuity)

- [TransformersWiki - Orson Welles](http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Orson_Welles)

- [Transformers World 2005 - How "open" are you in regards to your TF collection / obsession?](http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/how-open-are-you-in-regards-to-your-tf-collection-obsession.1104857/)

- [Transformers World 2005 - What makes us Transformers fans unique?](http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/what-makes-us-transformers-fans-unique.1067533/)

- [Transformers World 2005 - There used to be an actual street gang in the 80's New York called "The Decepticons"](http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/there-used-to-be-an-actual-street-gang-in-80s-new-york-called-the-decepticons.1107168/)

- [Transformers World 2005 - Why do you love Transformers?](http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/why-do-you-love-transformers.945851/)

- [Reddit - I am Peter Bogdanovich: An Actor, Film Historian, Director, Writer, Producer, Film Critic and Friend of Orson Welles. Ask My Anything](https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/38kdsr/i_am_peter_bogdanovich_an_actor_film_historian/crvokor/)

- [Reddit - TIL Orson Welles Might Not Have Hated Being Unicron in the Original Transformers Movie](https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/comments/38o5yk/til_orson_welles_might_not_have_hated_being/)

- [Reddit - Starscream Fans, Why Do You Like Him as a Character?](https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/comments/2d6v76/starscream_fans_why_do_you_like_him_as_a_character/)

- [Reddit - Is There Really a Specific Reason Why the Bayformers Films get so Much Hate?](https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/comments/3ufj7m/is_there_really_a_specific_reason_why_the/)

- [Reddit - Ok, So I Have to Ask. Why so Much Hatred for the Bay Movies?](https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/comments/uaefp/ok_so_i_have_to_ask_why_so_much_hatred_for_the/)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Optimus Prime Robot](https://thenounproject.com/term/optimus-prime-robot/960140) by [Creaticca Creative Agency](https://thenounproject.com/accounts80) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

The Nickscast discuss why a man who "died" over one hundred years ago is still popular today: We're talking about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous work, Sherlock Holmes and, more appropriately, its fans, *Sherlockians*. How is it that one set of stories sparked so many different pastiches, re-interpretations and ever more stories? What did fandom look like in the 19th century? What does the fandom look like today? Find out on this week's episode of Fanthropological: the great game is afoot!

Next week, we’ll be talking about fans of Transformers (The *robots in disguise* variety). Stay tuned!

## Episode outline

### Fandom Facts

**Origins:**

The world's most famous fictional private detective; first appeared in print in 1887 (in *a Study in Scarlet*). The creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he is well known for his deductive reasoning, forensic science, and logic that borders on the fantastic.

**Fandom Origins:**

In 1897 the first "fan fiction" appears (John Kendricks' *Pursuit of the House-Boat*), during the time period when Holmes had been 'killed off' between 1893 and 1903.

In 1934, the Baker Street Irregulars were founded in NYC—one of the oldest and largest Sherlock Holmes organizations dedicated to the fandom.

Much later, fandom springs up around BBC's *Sherlock* (2010) and *Elementary* (2012).

**Names:**

Sherlockians, Holmesians

**Fan terms:**

> **Z**: *The hiatus* is the term that fans use to refer to the period where Sir Arther Conan Doyle was not writing any new Sherlock Holmes stories between 1893 and 1903.

> **G**: Much like Harry Potter's 3 year summer, or, I don't know, the eternal wait for whenever the next game of throne book comes out.

**Size of Fandom:**

> Certainly, Sherlock’s audience is several million greater than the 565 people who took this survey, but they provide a glimpse into an online fandom eager to express their opinions. The majority taking this survey are female, under 30, and living in the US or UK. However, if the range of respondents to this survey is any indication, Sherlock fandom is much broader based than this summary indicates.

>

> — [popMATTERS: 'Sherlock' By the Numbers](http://www.popmatters.com/column/172425-the-way-we-watch-television-a-study-in-sherlock/)

Probably in the millions, considering BBC's *Sherlock* had 7.5 million viewers for its opening episode, *A Study in Pink*, an the second series averaged over 8 million viewers. Hard to estimate because of the longevity of the character and diversity of depictions.

**Fanfics:**

As of April 2017...

- Fanfiction.net: 3900 (Sherlock Holmes); Over 58000 (Sherlock); ~750 (Elementary)

- Archive of our own: Over 100000 (Sherlock Holmes & Related Fandoms); Over 94000 (Sherlock (TV)); ~2000 (Elementary)

> At this point, I'm sure they are like "Hey, what if Sherlock Holmes was a baker and Watson was his housewife". If that fanfic doesn't exist, please send it to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) and we will probably read it on air!

>

> — T

### [Last Episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/26-spnfamily/) Famous Last Words

**G**: What is the oldest fan work, and what was fandom like in the 19th century?

**T**: Seriously, why so many Sherlocks?

**Z**: Is there a small-studio web production of Sherlock Holmes?

### What did we discuss?

"Pastiches" as the earliest fanfics ~ Arthur Conan Doyle's habit of rushing through his stories ~ The Great Game ~ Doylist and Watsonian perspectives to fiction ~ The blurred lines between Watson and Doyle ~ The "death" of Sherlock Holmes and its impact ~ Sherlock Holmes' popularity because of being a static / flat character ~ Holmes as a lense for the world / time period ~ Holmes as the archetype for the mystery genre ~ Sherlock Holmes outside of the Western world ~ Fandom in the 19th century

### Are you in, or out?

> **T**: ... And by that I mean are you gonna do more of the thing that we talked earlier on, like, five minutes ago, or are you gonna do less of the thing?

> **G**: As T loses his ability to form consonants

**Z is out.**

> I've just never really been that interested in mystery stories ... there's probably a pinch of spite towards the Victorian era for misinforming everyone about the medieval period too, but that's neither here nor there!

>

> — Z

**G is in (?)**

> I watched season three [of BBC Sherlock] and I felt something missing... I feel like the ensuing season, season three, both started taking pot-shots at fandom... and trying to appeal to it too much?

>

> — G

- Will probably read some of the original stories as written by Doyle

**T is in (as much as he could possibly be).**

- Already watching a lot of Holmes inspired shows (House, BBC Sherlock, others)

- ... But too much stuff to do to go beyond that

### This week's spotlight

**[Anime Origin Stories](http://www.animeoriginstories.com/)**

An interview project by Lauren Orsini ([Otaku Journalist](http://www.otakujournalist.com)) to try to get an idea of how anime fandom got started in the western world!

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 Canadian, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Transformers!

**Z**

Why was Orson Welles involved in the *Transformers* animated movie?

**G**

Why was Weird Al's *Dare to be Stupid* included in the animated movie?

**T**

Who is the primary demographic of *Transformers*?

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Notable quotes from this episode

> I'm a level 10 bard—with the detective archetype!

>

> — T

> ...You start playing late 90s europop, who is that aimed at?

>

> — G

> ...So Holmes is a problem. At first, he was like, "I will just ask for ridiculous amounts of money" and they will be like "no" and then I won't have to do any more but they just gave him whatever he asked for.

>

> — G (regarding killing off Holmes)

> **Z**: So The man who wields a lense, is himself, a lense.

> **T**: I want to say you're wrong so badly... but I believe you are right.

> It create the mystery genre pretty much as it is ... we still haven't gotten rid of the trope of really intelligent people who are a**holes.

>

> — G

> At the time, there weren't the same outlets that existed and the whole human network of communication was completely different. Now we have the internet so something like that could happen today but it would be much more subdued because it would probably take place in a tweet-storm over, like, five to ten minutes, or a few days, or some weeks, or an entire presidency or whatever!

>

> — T

## Credits

### Sources

- [Wikipedia: Sherlock Holmes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes)

- [Fanlore: Sherlock Holmes](http://fanlore.org/w/index.php?title=Sherlock_Holmes)

- [Fanlore – Sherlock Holmes](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Sherlock_Holmes)

- [Studies in the Literature of Sherlock Holmes](http://www.diogenes-club.com/studies.htm)

- [Did Sherlock Holmes really exist?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2088/did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist)

- [Sherlock Holmes and his fight to the death](http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-19598997)

- [THE AFFAIR OF THE BLACK ARMBANDS (OR, THE DEATH OF SHERLOCK HOLMES AND HOW THE WORLD TOOK IT)](http://dianeduane.com/outofambit/2012/01/17/the-affair-of-the-black-armbands/)

- [Frank Sidgwick’s 1902 Essay](http://www.bsiarchivalhistory.org/BSI_Archival_History/Sidgwick_essay.html)

- [Sherlock Holmes: the original fandom](http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/sherlock/29056/sherlock-holmes-the-original-fandom)

- [Fanlore: Watsonian vs. Doylist](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Watsonian_vs._Doylist)

- [Esquire: Why We Love Sherlock](http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a27065/why-we-love-sherlock/)

- [Did Sherlock Holmes Really Exist](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2088/did-sherlock-holmes-really-exist)

- [Click to Play: Web Adaptations of Sherlock Holmes](http://bakerstreetbabes.com/click-to-play-web-adaptations-of-sherlock-holmes/)

- [221B The Sherlock Holmes Web-Series](http://221bwebseries.blogspot.ca/)

- [No Place Like Holmes](http://www.nplh.co.uk/)

- [Indiegogo - The 221B Project](https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-221b-project)

- [2 a.m. Truthies](https://vimeo.com/68455645)

- [Baker Street](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8IaZ7-169c2vl3GOehxa6w/videos)

- [Kickstarter – S(her)lock: The Web Series by Kate Tracy](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/848647887/sherlock-the-web-series)

- [s[HER]lock: The Web Series](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPaTZfn2jv-UgqNz7A-3pew/videos)

- [Can Someone Explain Why All T.V. Incarnations of a Holmesian Character are ALWAYS Assholes](https://www.reddit.com/r/Holmes/comments/10zcyv/can_someone_explain_why_all_tv_incarnations_of_a/)

- [Introversion 101: The Trouble With Sherlock](https://wobtalk.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/introversion-101-the-trouble-with-sherlock/)

- [Sherlock Holmes is the Archetypal Scientist](https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2014/jan/01/sherlock-holmes-archetypal-scientist)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Sherlock Holmes](https://thenounproject.com/term/sherlock-holmes/221829) by [Matthew Davis](https://thenounproject.com/matthewwadedavis) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

The Nickscast discuss why a show targeted towards men became unexpectedly popular with women and has continued to grow in popularity: We're talking about the SPNFamily (Supernatural fans!). How is the show so popular after even after twelve seasons? How does it differ from its peers? What keeps its fans going? We're going to eat some pie and find out on this week's episode of Fanthropological!

Next week, we’ll be talking about fans of Sherlock Holmes (BBC Sherlock, Elementary, classic; we're talking it all). Stay tuned!

## Episode outline

### [Last episode's](http://fanthropological.com/e/26-whovians/) Famous Last Words

**Z:** Who is the fan favourite character and why?

**G:** In canon, who is born first and why do fans think it is one way or the other?

**T:** Is it just because its two hot people? Will any show about two hot people succeed?

**Alex:** How much slash fiction is there?

### Fandom facts

**Origins:**

An American fantasy horror series that was first broadcast in September of 2005. It follows the nomadic lives of brothers Sam and Dean Winchester, travelling the US and hunting down supernatural foes (as their father did, who spent years seeking revenge against the demon responsible for his wife’s death). It just ended its 12th season, as of this recording, and is renewed for a 13th.

**Fandom origins:**

Largely Livejournal ([supernatural_tv](http://supernatural-tv.livejournal.com/))

**Names:**

Supernatural Family / SPNFamily

**Size of fandom:**

The TV series pilot has 5.6 million viewers, and episodes regularly have about 3 million viewers.

**Fanfics:**

Archive of our own: Over 92000 (January 2015); Over 60000 (February 2014); Over 27500 (December 2012)

### What did we discuss?

A brief history of strikethrough and splintering of fandom from Livejournal ~ the Supernatural newsletter ~ Fan terms like imbroglio (vs fanwank) and real-person fiction (RPF) ~ Keeping a long running show like Supernatural fresh ~ changes in television and storytelling for long running shows ~ the cast, crew, and fandom as a tight knit family ~ charmingly flawed shows that keep trying (which is good) ~ character and fandom relationships: "Family don't end at blood" ~ Targeted at men (classic rock, killing monsters, cars) but women as biggest fans ~ Z's Supernatural boyfriend

### Are you in, or out?

> Z, so now that you're romantically involved with one of the Winchester brothers, are you going to continue things further?

>

> — G

**Z is in.**

> ...As part of my research, I have to watch the first episode of this to see if its any good, to see if it holds up. And, after seeing that first episode, I can definitely say that I am in for the first five seasons.

>

> — Z

- T briefly explains the cosmology of our universe compared to that of Supernatural's

**T is out.**

> Z, I'm going to take your 'in', I'm going to take it, and carefully toss it into the trash because I am out. I don't care if that metaphor works!

>

> — T

- At 12 seasons and still going, media fandom is too big

- **But** T is committed to watching the pilot and the fanfiction episode. Hold him to that!

**G is out.**

> I want to try and find these more experimental episodes and watch those. Like *The French Mistake*, as I mentioned, the fanfic episode, the one from the perspective of the car. *LARP and the real girl* ... There are few that have piqued my interest.

>

> — G

### Fans of the week

No fans of the week this week, sorry :(

### This week's spotlights

[Random Acts](http://randomacts.org)

Started with Misha Collins (Castiel, on Supernatural) in 2009 asking his "minions" on Twitter to come up with ideas for a "minion stimulus" project (during the economic recession). Has since grown and and changed, but is set up to encourage folks to conduct random acts of kindness in their communities, and holds different fundraisers. In 2014, spent over $47000 USD to fund different acts of kindness around the world. Even developed a crisis network!

**[The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen (GISHWES)](http://gishwes.com)**

Also started by (and hosted by) Misha Collins. Thousands of people around the world compete to get various tasks ranging from "hold a puppet show at childrens hospital" to "create a portrait of Robert Downey Jr. in salt and pepper". Some unexpected successes include getting the acronym *GISHWES* in space (succeeded by convincing *someone* to name a mountain on Mars) and getting a hug from Neil Gaiman.

**[Always Keep Fighting](http://facebook.com/alwayskeepfightingg)**

Started by Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) as a group for people struggling with depression and mental illness and to "keep the flame from going out". At San Diego Comic Con 2015, lots of fans at the Supernatural panel and lined up outside of the panel held a candlelight vigil in support which moved Jared to tears. Also sends resources to [To Write Love On Her arms](https://twloha.com/).

**[The Race Against Time](http://raceagainsttime.io)**

Now in its third year of running, the Race Against Time is the Nickscast's annual charity livestream where we work our way though Chrono Trigger, obtaining all its endings, and also raising money for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Last year we raised over $1200 CAD, and have plans to surpass that!

This year, the event will be held August 12 through to August 13, starting at 10am ET. You can also subscribe on [Twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime](https://www.twitch.tv/theraceagainsttime) in anticipation of the event!

### Famous Last Words

This week's famous last words around *next week's* fandom, Sherlock Holmes!

**G**

How old is the oldest Sherlock Holmes fanfiction?

How did the gears of fandom turn in the nineteenth century?

**Z**

Has there been a Sherlock web-series?

**T**

How is it that one character is so popular after 130 years? Arsene Lupin is 110 years old, and not nearly as popular... why? How is this a thing? How is Sherlock Holmes still a thing?!

## Where can you find us online?

We are everywhere! Most notably though, we like to hang out in a few places on social media:

- If you want to help us to create more amazing fannish content, become a patron on [Patreon](http://patreon.com/thenickscast); even as little as a dollar a month pledge really helps us out!

- For all the latest updates, check us out on [Facebook](https://facebook.com/thenickscast) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/thenickscast)

- To see the latest hijinx from our conventions or even our daily lives and adventures, check us out on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/thenickscast)

- For our latest convention updates, *Let's Plays*, and other in-real-life video, [check out our YouTube channel](http://youtube.com/thenickscast)

- We're also on [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/fanthropological/id1163621210), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/m/Icmngxz7yhaoivdvivvf6q6c2pu?t=Fanthropological), and would love it if you could leave a review and rating!

- if you want to reach us, and for some reason none of those work for you, try [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

- You can check out [our website](http://thenickscast.com); that will mostly bring you back to this stuff.

- Everything is `thenickscast`, so if you can't find us, go on your social network and search for that!

- ... You're still looking for ways to reach out? You can also use the hashtag `#fanthro` on Twitter!

## What is "Fanthropological"?

How did you read this far without asking this question?!

Fanthropological is an anthropological (ish) podcast where we bring the fan's-eye view to you! Each week, we take a look at a different fandom, dig up interesting background, trivia, and history, and try to get to why it is that people are a fan. We also try to highlight good causes related to that fandom, and find interesting things that fans have created to share those to the world. Each episode is about an hour. Ish.

## Who is "The Nickscast"?

*We* are the Nickscast! Three products of late-80s / early-90s pop culture who love exploring fandom and everything geek ... who also happen to have been best buddies since high school, and all happen to be named Nick. Yes, we are super creative. Dare we say, the most creative.

*Ahem*

We are Nick Green, Nick Terwoord, and Nick Zacharewicz: We started the Nickscast as a labour of love, and as a place to entertain and to discuss our love of fans and fandom, and all that is shiny and interesting in that realm. It's what lead us to start our first podcast, our satellite podcasts, Fanthropological, and so much more.

We want to help others learn more about different fandoms, and to create empathy with other fans: We dream of a world where other fans aren't "those Weird-o's", but just folks with different tastes. A world where fandom is full of discourse and analysis, and there are plenty of tools and resources to help. Fans building communities to do good in the world. *Because everyone's a fan.*

## Notable quotes from this episode

> As of this recording, we just finished celebrating Canadian Easter. I hope you all had a good one out there. Maple candies were consumed, the Easter pine was worshiped, and the Easter egg donuts eaten.

>

> — G

> I'm a level 10 inquisitor. What? I thought that's what we were doing this week guys!

>

> — T

> *T*: I was going to bring up some embarassing things from last episode. I hope everyone is ok with that.

> *(also T)*: Yeah, I think everyone is ok with that!

> *(also also T)*: That sounds like a great idea!

> *T*: Ok, cool, let's get into it!

> I didn't eat dinner because I've been saving room for all the crow I'm about to eat.

>

> — G

> Is it just because its two hot people? Will any show about two hot people succeed? I am not going to deny the hotness of any of the characters...

>

> — T

> *T*: That's like Patrick Stewart just coming out all the time for X-men or Star Trek. Ignoring all the other stuff that he's done.

> *G*: We'd love them to but... he's got a life.

> *T*: Yeah, he's gotta fight, um, amnesty.

> *Z*: And he's gotta watch Beavis and Butthead.

> Ninety-two thousand fanfics can't be wrong. #SPNFamily

>

> — T

> As they say... look at the moon, Europeans see a man, the Japanese see a rabbit, the fan girls, well, they see something much more interesting.

>

> — Z

> You should have taken a class that has more slots for large fandoms

>

> — T

> *T*: That is the level of closeness and vulnerability that the fandom has with each other and that is very cool

> *G*: The fandom, to me, is almost as much as a draw as the show, at this point.

## Credits

### Sources

- [Supernatural](https://fanlore.org/wiki/Supernatural)

- [CARRY ON MY WAYWARD FANDOM: WHY THE SUPERNATURAL FANDOM IS THE BEST](http://geekandsundry.com/carry-on-my-wayward-fandom-why-the-supernatural-fandom-is-the-best/)

- [Shipping discussion - what are your ships and why?](https://www.reddit.com/r/fandomnatural/comments/60lfbk/shipping_discussion_what_are_your_ships_and_why/)

- [4 Reasons Why ‘Supernatural’ Still Matters](http://fandom.wikia.com/articles/4-reasons-supernatural-still-matters)

- [This is the supernatural newsletter, yo](http://spnnewsletter.livejournal.com/)

- [G.I.S.H.W.H.E.S. The Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen!](https://www.gishwhes.com/g_blog/what-is-gishwhes/)

- [Jared Padalecki reacts to "Candle Surprise" at ComicCon 2015 ♥](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEM7j9FdGLg)

- [Jared Padalecki Responds to Incredible Fan Surprise Supporting His Battle With Depression: "It Took Everything Not to Cry"](http://www.eonline.com/ca/news/675357/jared-padelecki-responds-to-incredible-fan-surprise-supporting-his-battle-with-depression-it-took-everything-not-to-cry)

- [Wikipedia – Supernatural (U.S. TV Series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernatural_(U.S._TV_series))

- ['Supernatural' Slash: "This is Wrong"](http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/supernatural-slash-this-is-wro-31170.aspx)

- [Interview with Wincon Organizer Ethrosdemon](http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/viewArticle/208/151)

- [Lucifer is Coming: How "Supernatural" Stole Twitter](http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/lucifer-is-coming-how-supernat-31138.aspx)

- [Misha Collins and Supernatural Fans Declare Twitter War on P. Diddy](http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/misha-collins-supernatural-fan-31194.aspx?pollid=600001057&answer=600003597)

- [Is Twitter Silencing "Supernatural" Fans Again](http://www.buddytv.com/articles/supernatural/is-twitter-silencing-supernatu-31275.aspx)

- ["Supernatural" Addresses Wincest, Destiel, the Lack of Female Characters & More in Its 200th Episode](http://www.bustle.com/articles/48816-supernatural-addresses-wincest-destiel-the-lack-of-female-characters-more-in-its-200th-episode)

- [Supernatural: Behind the Scenes and Behind the Demons](http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/04/17/supernatural-behind-the-scenes-and-behind-the-demons)

- ["Supernatural": Sexy. Scar. Over](http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20270843_3,00.html)

- [Who is Your 'Supernatural' Boyfriend](http://www.buddytv.com/personalityquiz/supernatural-personalityquiz.aspx?quiz=500000199)

- [Fanlore – Tinhats](http://fanlore.org/wiki/Tinhats)

### Music / Sound

- All music and sound for this week's episode were provided by Nick Green!

### Artwork

- [Glasses](https://thenounproject.com/term/glasses/132894) by [Anton Anuchin](https://thenounproject.com/antonwebium) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Sun](https://thenounproject.com/term/sun/919928) by [beguima](https://thenounproject.com/beguimastudio) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)

- [Wicca](https://thenounproject.com/term/wicca/238070) by [Dabid J. Pascual](https://thenounproject.com/dabid) used under [CC BY 3.0](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/)