Science Fiction Audiences examines the astounding popularity of two television "institutions" - the series Doctor Who and ^Star Trek. Both of these programmes have survived cancellation and acquired an following that continues to grow. The book is based on over ten years of research including interviews with fans and followers of the series. In that period, though the fans may have changed, and ways of studying them as "audiences" may have also changed, the programmes have endured intact, with Star Trek for example now in its fourth television incarnation.
John Tulloch and Henry Jenkins dive into the rich fan culture surrounding the two series, exploring issues such as queer identity, fan meanings, teenage love of science fiction, and genre expectations. They encompass the perspectives of a vast population of fans and followers throughout Britain, Australia and the US, who will continue the debates contained in the book, along with those who will examine the historically changing range of audience theory it presents. and continue to attract a huge community of fans and followers. Doctor Who has appeared in nine different guises and Star Trek is now approaching its fourth television incarnation.Science Fiction Audiences examines the continuing popularity of two television 'institutions' of our time through their fans and followers.
Through dialogue with fans and followers of Star Trek and Dr Who in the US, Britain and Australia, John Tulloch and Henry Jenkins ask what it is about the two series that elicits such strong and active responses from their audiences. Is it their particular intervention into the SF genre? Their expression of peculiarly 'American' and 'British' national cultures. Their ideologies and visions of the future, or their conceptions of science and technology?
Science Fiction Audiences responds to a rich fan culture which encompasses debates about fan aesthetics, teenage attitudes to science fiction, queers and Star Trek, and ideology and pleasure in Doctor Who. It is a book written both for fans of the two series, who will be able to continue their debates in its pages, and for students of media and cultural studies, offering a historical overview of audience theory in a fascinating synthesis of text, context and audience study.

About the Author
Henry Jenkins, John Tulloch

Reviews

`An important contribution to an overlooked area of cultural studies.' - Ian Inglis, Northumbria Univ

`A must for all libraries in higher education, schools and larger public libraries.' - Library Review on An Encyclopaedia of Language

`A comprehensive and user-friendly publication, easy to get into and once you are in, easy to use. It will remain a unique and invaluable part of the library of any individual or institution.' - Library Association Record on Handbook of Educational Ideas and Practices

`Every public library as well as every university, college and school library should have a copy on its shelves.' - Times Higher Education Supplement on An Encyclopaedia of Philosophy

`Deserves to find a place in every reference library.' - Times Higher Education Supplement on An Encyclopaedia of the History of Technology

`A mine of information. Make sure it is ordered by your local library!.' - Scientific & Medical Network on Companion to the History of Modern Science

`An irreplaceable source of reference for many years to come.' - Religious Studies on The Worlds's Religions

`A useful and impressive acquisition to any linguist's bookshelf.' - Language Monthly on The World's Major Languages

Book Information
ISBN 9780415061414
Author Henry Jenkins
Format Paperback
Page Count 308
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 580g