• Broadcast Seasonal Horror Traditions and Reflecting on Fear

    Author(s):
    Derek Johnston (see profile)
    Date:
    2020
    Group(s):
    Cultural Studies, Television Studies
    Subject(s):
    Television--Study and teaching, Culture, History, Culture--Study and teaching, Horror
    Item Type:
    Conference paper
    Conf. Title:
    27th International Screen Studies Conference
    Conf. Org.:
    Screen
    Conf. Loc.:
    Glasgow, UK
    Conf. Date:
    23-25 June 2017
    Tag(s):
    Television history, Broadcasting, Broadcast history, Seasonality, Television studies, Cultural history, Cultural studies
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/9cyn-0870
    Abstract:
    This paper focuses on UK and US traditions of seasonal horror on television and radio at Christmas and Halloween to consider how they provide opportunities for reflection on the causes of fear at liminal times in the calendar. These liminal times contain numerous traditions dedicated to looking back and forward, such as end of year reviews, or addresses from heads of state to the ‘family’ of the nation in which they consider the past year and look hopefully to the future. As part of these traditions, the seasonal horror story, whether delivered as an oral tradition, published, or broadcast, offers a clear opportunity to engage with causes of unease and fear. At the same time, it allows these fears to be diminished as they are treated as ‘just entertainment’, and traditional forms of the seasonal horror story are recreated as nostalgic pastiche or given a comedy treatment. Even here, these more-lighthearted renditions can allow audiences to engage with and work through issues that concern them in ways similar to those stories intended to cause fear, even if the fear itself is softened. This paper will outline the significance of narratives of fear as part of traditions of reflection at particular seasons.
    Metadata:
    xml
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    4 years ago
    License:
    All Rights Reserved
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