March 30, 1981: An Obsessed Jodie Foster Fan Gives Fans A Bad Name

Yikes. This week, V and Emily try their best to be Carefully Neutral (well, V does) as they delve into the sordid, obsession-fueled assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan by John Hinckley, Jr, who wanted very badly to impress child actress Jodie Foster. After the event, though, came the fallout: the idea of "the obsessed fan" became a cultural boogeyman of the early '80s. So what was fandom supposed to do if not write scathing LOCs in Star Trek zines? We look at how the demonization of "fans" played out in the dialogue of actual fans in fannish spaces, and really, we did our best to be classy. Well. V did.

Sources

Wikipedia
Fanlore: I'd like to comment, yet again...
Fanlore: So many topics in the past few months...
Fanlore: Interstat
Fanlore: Public Image

Promo

Check out our new pod-friends That Aged Well! Feel conflicted about the movies you loved as a kid? Let Paul and Erika guide you through all that beloved garbage we watched... after all, nostalgia is more fun when you aren't the only one embarrassed by it. Come dive into yesterday's pop culture today!

Aim High Brooch Designs - For 25% off any order on Aim High Brooch Designs on Etsy, including a custom brooch, bag charm, keychain, or magnet design, use the promo code TWIFH.