Tag Archives: fandom

Supercontext: Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace


This 1996 novel is infamous for its length and complex narrative structure, while being critically lauded for its themes and style. We discuss how Wallace approached the project, while grappling with revelations about how he treated women both on-and-off the page.

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Supercontext: American Horror Story: Murder House


It’s our third annual Christmas ghost story episode and we’re looking into this 2011 debut of the popular horror anthology series by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. We discuss Murphy’s mission, the show’s popularity and its contrast of trashy excessive violence and sex, with themes of mainstream, heteronormative patriarchy.

Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store:

Additional Resources:

    • Keetley, D. (2013). Stillborn: The Entropic Gothic of American Horror Story. Gothic Studies, 15(2), 89.
    • Nussbaum, E. (2018). Mk. Big. New Yorker, 94(13), 52.

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Supercontext: The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, by Don Rosa


This 12-part comic series seems like a fan’s homage to Carl Bark’ Disney stories, but we uncover how the values of “hard work” within (and the corporate machinations of many publishers) led Rosa to quit making comics out of frustration and resentment.

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Supercontext: Steven Universe


Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar has developed a warm, well thought out approach to family cartoons. We look at her goals, Cartoon Network’s business plans and the fight in fandom over how this show represents diverse identities. 

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Supercontext: Yahoo Screen


What went wrong with Yahoo Screen and its investment in a sixth season of Community? We look behind the business to try to figure out how a search engine whittled away the brand loyalty of a beloved TV show.

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Supercontext: The Hugo Awards


The 2015 Hugo Awards showed us what happens when science fiction/fantasy fandom turns on itself. A year later we look back at the arguments and manipulations of all the parties involved: Sad Puppies, Rabid Puppies and everyone else. Given how similar this controversy’s rhetoric is to the 2016 presidential election, should we look at cultural moments like this as predictors of larger issues in society?

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Supercontext: Game of Thrones, Season 6


In an unusually giddy, slaphappy episode, Charlie & Christian try to understand how Game of Thrones’ sixth season was made. When does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? What happens when it passes — and surpasses — its source material?

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