analysis "something that is generally seen as mere mass entertainment, their involvement

seems odd and misplaced. Also the commercial interests of popular

culture are often emphasised and fans are seen merely as passive consumers.

Jenkins$$ work helped to change the academic understanding of fans, when

he showed in his study that fans can be active producers and manipulators of

meanings $($Jenkins $1992$: $23).$ The negative stereotype of fandom however still

persists in the everyday usage of the word.

The commonplace aspect of fandom is connected to how the ordinary

and routine things around us construct our conceptions and values without

us even noticing it $($Nikunen $2005$: $19).$ In media studies fandom is seen as

meaning$-$making. Fans use the objects of their fandom, as well as the fandom

itself, as a part of the process through which they construct their identities.

The audience$$s socio$-$cultural background and their own life experiences are

the basis from which the television shows$$ stories, worldviews, and values are

reflected upon. Through this process people give meaning to what they see.

Many scholars believe that popular culture can provide meaningful experiences.

The enjoyment and positive feelings gained from it can be important

resources to help get though everyday life. In popular culture and fandom

there is also usually a strong community aspect. Popular culture can provide

knowledge and models to follow that people can use in their daily lives. This

has been seen as an example of popular culture empowering people $($Herkman

$2007$: $24).$

Vampire fans and the internet

Internet fan forums are the places where fans meet and discuss the shows.

There are a lot of different sites that are dedicated to the shows. There are

international and national fan sites that mainly interconnect information

about the shows. Each show has its own official site, but all the rest are created

and maintained by the fans. Fan sites may include discussion forums, but

mainly these are separate. There are discussion forums about specific shows.

Fans also meet to discuss the shows on sites that give information about television

shows and films in general, like Internet Movie Database $($IMDb$)$ and

Television Without Pity $($TWoP$).$ Facebook and Twitter are used extensively

by fans as well. The shows have their own Facebook pages, and fans form

groups and keep in touch by Facebook. On Twitter fans follow the actors and

chat amongst themselves. Fans also write blogs. $"$