5 TV Series with Overzealous Fans: From Breaking Bad to Lost
The article examines five television series that attracted intensely devoted fanbases, sometimes to the detriment of the shows themselves. It highlights 'Breaking Bad' as an early example of the 'bad fan' phenomenon in the social media era, where viewers elevate series to cult status but also damage them. 'Lost', created by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof, aired six seasons from 2004 to 2010 and fundamentally changed television. Its premise—survivors of a plane crash on a tropical island—seemed unoriginal, but the inclusion of a polar bear, a smoke monster, and a survivor who had been in a wheelchair before the crash left fans bewildered. The article, published in Der Freitag, explores how fan overenthusiasm can harm the very shows they love.
Key facts
- Breaking Bad is cited as an early example of the 'bad fan' phenomenon.
- The social media era has created fans who elevate series to cult status but also damage them.
- Lost was created by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof.
- Lost aired six seasons from 2004 to 2010.
- Lost's premise involves survivors of a plane crash on a tropical island.
- Lost featured a polar bear and a smoke monster.
- A survivor in Lost had been in a wheelchair before the crash.
- The article is published in the current issue of Der Freitag.
Entities
Artists
- Jeffrey Lieber
- J. J. Abrams
- Damon Lindelof
Institutions
- Der Freitag