Join your host Garhdo as they discuss a recent article from Variety, and the rabbithole it sent them on connected to many ongoing talking points in fandom spaces. From online toxicity, the discussion of “woke” in fandom, the growing legions of right-wings grifters that seem to dominate fandom discourse, and even a discussion of whether it is better or worse that creators are fans of what they follow or not, all of it is here in this editorial. 

Toxic Fandom: How Hollywood Is Battling Fans Who Are ‘Just Out for Blood’ — From Social Media Boot Camps to Superfan Focus Groups

Across The Grifterverse

• 0:00 Intro

• 0:54 Variety’s Article and Focus Groups 

• 4:53 What is Toxic Fandom? 

• 17:03 The War on “Woke” 

• 27:58 The Grifter Sphere 

• 36:37 The Role of the Creative 

• 51:59 Fans as Creators 

• 1:02:42 In Conclusion 

• 1:06:50 Outro

• 1:08:54 Sign-Off

https://linktr.ee/garhdo

Season 6, Episode 2

June 27th 2025

84th Episode

Music Credits

OneEightFour, In The Back Room, Vinyl Couch, and Ultima Thule by Blue Dot Sessions https://www.sessions.blue