This Week In Fandom History

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April 1979: "Bunkies" Introduces Everyone's Favorite Trope Apr 16, 2023

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There was only one bed! Everyone knows it, everyone loves it, and this week, Emily and V go back to the '70s to discuss the story that birthed it: "Bunkies," starring Han/Luke. Star Wars fandom was already Star Wars fandom by 1979, and the gals delve deep into all of that mess. Were you ever deeply insulted by being called a "Luke Lover"? Have you read the best open letter of all time (to George Lucas, of course)?

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April 15, 1997: "MMMBop" Changes The World Forever Apr 09, 2023

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Bop bop doowop! This week, V and Emily travel back to a seminal moment in popslash and bubblegum history with the release of one of the most iconic songs of the '90s, "MMMBop" by Hanson -- and the subsequent world takeover by three blond boys from Tulsa and their legion of loyal fans. Despite, or perhaps because of, being a worldwide phenomenon, Hanson's fans suffered a fate similar to so many teen girl-heavy fandoms: being pathologized and maligned, not celebrated for their ingenuity and passion. So, which Hanson was your dreamy fave? And when you get old and start losing your hair, can you tell me who will still care? (No, you can't, 'cause you don't know. Oh-oh. Yeah, yeah.)

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April 7, 2000: Anne Rice's Anti-Fanfiction Screed Apr 02, 2023

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It's a big one this week! Emotions abound as Emily and V take a dark look into the mind of former vampire queen Anne Rice and her irrational, misinformed hatred of fanfiction.... and its very real-world consequences for thousands of her fans. This is why disclaimers exist, people. This is why fanfiction will always walk in the darkness and crumble in direct sunlight (just like a vampire). And this is a dangerous precedent set that affects us all to this day. What was Anne Rice thinking? Seriously, WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?

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April 1, 2013: #MISHAPOCALYPSE (And SuperWhoLock) Mar 27, 2023

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SuperWhoLock fans, get your salt/sonics/nicotine patches! This week, V and Emily travel back ten years to the end of the world, AKA the #mishapocalypse. Started as a joke and only sort of done as a joke, fans of Misha Collins (Castiel on Supernatural) completely fucking took over Tumblr for a day. But it wasn't just Supernatural fans who participated, because this was 2013: the heyday of SuperWhoLock. What made SuperWhoLock so delicious and also so deeply embarrassing? Where did that creativity go?

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March 2014: Into the TriadVerse Mar 19, 2023

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Good mornin'! (Good mornin'!) This week, Emily and V dive deep into Multiamory March with a look at the 2014 invention of the TriadVerse, which is like A/B/O minus the A and O. With deep and evolving lore, a fest week, and an evolution into Multiamory March itself, the TriadVerse used ships like the eternal Don/Cosmo/Kathy from Singin' in the Rain to enchant both of our intrepid cohosts. Have you ever heard of the TriadVerse? What's your fave OT3?

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March 2009: Fandom March Madness Launches on LiveJournal Mar 13, 2023

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Are you ready for some... fandom voting and bracket statistics? This week, V and Emily head back to 2009 for a cherished fandom free-for-all throwdown, Fandom March Madness. This event revealed a lot of ugly fandom traits of misogyny, White Feminism, racism, and just plain bad taste, even as it brought people from across the fandomsphere together for a week of cheering on their faves and having fun. We can still learn from the lessons taught in ye olde Fandom March Madness, but we -- perhaps optimistically -- think that it would shake out quite differently in 2023. Who did you vote for in FMM? And who would win a cage match, Leslie Knope or Peggy Carter?

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March 8, 2016: #LGBTFansDeserveBetter and the Spring Slaughter Mar 05, 2023

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We're not gonna take it anymore! This week, Emily and V delve into righteous -- and rightful -- fannish anger at the constant, demoralizing, dehumanizing deaths of lesbian characters on television, and the straw that broke the fandom camel's back: the death of Lexa on The 100. Fans turned their heartbreak and rage over yet another dead WLW into a truly amazing, awe-inspiring call to action. Do you know how many dead WLW there were on TV in the season surrounding Lexa's murder? Do you want to cry your face off with your co-hosts this week?

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March 2013: The Flower Crown Meme (TW Body Horror, Gore) Feb 26, 2023

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This is my design! And it's a halo of flowers 'round the head of my blorbo. This week, Emily and V take a harrowing look at the history of the flower crown meme and its biggest proponent: Hannibal fandom. From the comedic sensibilities of 'fannibals' to the whimsy, or lack thereof, of Bryan Fuller shows, this was a topic that... was scary. Tell me, Will, will V ever be able to get into bed normally again? And what the heck does Harry Styles have to do with all of this?

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Body horror, Hannibal-typical gore

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February 19, 2007: Tumblr Founded Feb 19, 2023

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All hail the blue hellsite! This week, V and Emily talk the timeline of fandom's transition onto Tumblr and why the heck we're all still there. From corporate takeovers that lost millions to the Very Special Episode that was November 5, 2020, Tumblr is an indelible part of fannish history because it's a platform that's lasted so long and been home to so many of us. Why? How?

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February 2013: Femslash February Founded Feb 12, 2023

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Happy Femslash February! This week, V and Emily go back ten years to the introduction of an annual fandom holiday: Femslash February. Whether you're devout or just dipping your toes into the spiritual waters of femslash celebration, this episode goes hard on preaching the gospel of all things F/F. Why should dudes get all the attention? Also, just how shameful is the filthy tangent in the middle of the ep?

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