Fandom is aserious business. Once a mainstay of geek and alternate culture, being a fan in the era of theMarvel Cinematic Universe,Star Wars, andHarry Potteris these days considered practically mainstream. Not to mention the long-established tradition of religious fandom fever around popular singers and sports teams.
The depiction of fandom itself in movie comedies and TV shows reflects the changing attitudes — where once an obsessed fan could be an object of ridicule, now they’re often a character (such as Abed inCommunity) the audience is meant to (at least partially) relate to. Movies such asClerks IIandScream(2022) capture popular fandom debates of their era, while TV shows likeEpisodesoffer a darkly humorous take on fans-turned-stalkers.
10‘Scream’ (2022)
This fifth film in theScreamfranchise sees Ritchie (Jack Quaid) and Amber (Mikey Madison) revealed as the Ghostface killers. Their motive? Righteous-fandom-rage overStab 8, the latest film in the fictionalStabfranchise within theScreamuniverse. The pair, who met online, planned the murders hoping it would reunite the original cast.
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The darkly funny reveal is a direct nod toStar Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi,which washugely divisive among the fandom. Not the least becauseStab 8is depicted as being made byRian Johnson, the director ofThe Last Jedi.
9‘The Big Bang Theory' (2007-2019)
Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) are four scientifically brilliant but socially stunted young men living in Pasadena. They are passionate about physics, science,Star Trek, Star Wars, and comic books.
WhileThe Big Bang Theoryended up revolving around relationships and love interests, the early seasons were a loving homage to geek and fandom culture. The characters attend medieval fairs, cosplay for conventions, and even get tomeet their idols. A hilariously simple example is when Leonard is bereft after his girlfriend walks out on him. His whole face lights up in happiness when Sheldon tells him to look on the bright side — “Only nine more months to Comic-Con.”
8‘Fever Pitch’ (1997)
Paul (Colin Firth), a life-long fan of Arsenal Football Club, clashes with fellow teacher Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) over his noisy classroom. The pair end up falling in love, but Paul’s obsession with Arsenal continues to get in the way. Things are further complicated when Sarah falls pregnant.
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Based onNick Hornsby’s novel (and later adapted into anAmerican version),Fever Pitchshows the highs and lows of sports fandom. Paul thrives on the vibrant camaraderie of live spectatorship but is crushed every time Arsenal lose. The film was one of Firth’s first leading roles afterPride and Prejudice, and it’s a shock (but great fun) to see the repressed Mr Darcy suddenly become a swearing, slightly mad football fan.
7‘Community’ (2009-2015)
Abed (Danny Pudi) is devastated whenCougar Townis paused mid-season, then rendered catatonic when the original British version ofCougarton Abbey(a satire ofDownton Abbey) ends with the whole cast dying. Fellow study group member Britta (Gillian Jacobs) redirects him toInspector Spacetime(a parody ofDoctor Who). This instantly revives Abed, who asserts, “This is the best show I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
WhileCommunityhasabundant pop culture references, the fandom experience is never better or funnier, as demonstrated by Abed’s desperate need for a new show to obsess over. His immediate adoption ofInspector Spacetimeleads to Troy (Donald Glover) joining Abed in memorably cosplaying the Inspector and his sidekick, Constable Reggie.
6‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’ (1978)
It’s 1964, and teenagers Pam (Nancy Allen), Rosie (Wendie Jo Sperber), and Grace (Theresa Saldana) will stop at nothing to seethe Beatlesperform onThe Ed Sullivan Show. Meanwhile, Janis (Susan Kendall Newman) and Tony (Bobby Di Cicco) hate the Beatles, with the latter determined to find a way to sabotage the show. A whirlwind of bribery, blackmail, and robbery unfurls amidst the slapstick backdrop of classic Beatlemania.
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I Wanna Hold Your Handwas warmly received bycritics, who noted the ingenuity of a film all about the Beatles that never actually shows them. In a darkly ironic twist on intense fandom, Saldana wasattacked and almost killedby a fan-turned-stalker only four years later.
5‘Episodes’ (2011-2017)
British writing team Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) are slowly but steadily disillusioned by an American adaptation of their hit sitcom. This includes castingMatt LeBlanc(who won a Golden Globe for his fictionalized performance of himself) as the lead. Matt has his own problems, not the least his fan-turned-stalker, Labia (Sophie Rundle).
Episodesthrives on dark comedy, with Labia’s backstory being a typical example. She had cancer as a child and met Matt through the Make-A-Wish foundation when he took her to Disneyland. Labia recovered but grew up obsessed with Matt, continually violating restraining orders and breaking into his house. Matt, nonetheless, sleeps with her a couple of times. In Season 3, when he discovers Labia has moved on with a new boyfriend, his ego is wounded.
4‘Clerks II’ (2006)
10 years after Kevin Smith’s firstClerksfilm, Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randal (Jeff Anderson) work at a fast food restaurant. Their colleague Elias (Trevor Fehrman) is an obsessiveLord of the Ringsfan who pretends the restaurant’s onion rings are the One Ring.
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The petty bickering between Randal and Elias is a hilarious reflection of theStar Wars/Lord of the Ringsfandom rivalry indicative of the time. Elias and a fellow Hobbit-enthusiast customer (Kevin Weisman) tease Randal about theStar Warsprequels. Randal retaliates thatThe Lord of the Ringsis just “Three movies of people walking to a f**king volcano.”
3‘Flight of the Conchords’ (2007-2009)
Bret McKenzieandJermaine Clementplayfictionalized versions of themselvesin this quirky HBO sitcom. The musical pair move to New York seeking fame and fortune, which steadfastly eludes them. They are aided – poorly – by their clueless manager Murray (Rhys Darby). The Conchords attract one fan — Mel (Kristen Schaal), a married woman who quickly becomes their stalker.
Much of the humor around Mel’s obsession with Bret and Jermaine is in their deadpan, matter-of-fact acceptance of her. This includes politely ignoring her sexual advances and not being too bothered by her disturbing behavior (such as waiting outside their apartment with a photoshopped family portrait showing “if you had a baby what the baby would look like coming out of you guys”).
2‘Galaxy Quest’ (1999)
The cast of the ’80s sci-fi showGalaxy Quest(a thinly veiled parody ofStar Trek) relies on fan conventions and low-key promotional gigs to make a living. The Thermians, a race of kind, naive aliens, believe theGalaxy QuestTV show to be real-life “historical documents” from Earth. They recruit the washed-up actors for protection, much to the latter’s initial confusion and terror.
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When the actors decide to step up to the challenge, they recruit teenage mega-fan Brandon (Justin Long, in his first movie role) to guide them. Brandon is thrilled to discover “it’s all real” and enlists his friends in the fandom for help.Galaxy Questis, at its heart, a sweet and funnyhomage to sci-fi fans, who, in this case, really do save the day.
1‘Spaced’ (1999-2001)
Tim (Simon Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) pretend to be a couple to rent a North London flat. Tim is an aspiring comic artist and former comic book shop employee (fired for screaming at a child trying to buy a Jar Jar Binks doll). Daisy is a wannabe freelance writer with writer’s block.
Spacedis awash with pop culture references — fromScooby DootoThe Shining. Best of all is the homage toStar Wars, including Tim’s hilariously petty fandom gatekeeping of the franchise from prequel fans (something the grown-up latter nowironically does to sequel fans).
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