Once upon a time, TV storytelling was a one-way street.
The writer wrote that it was broadcast online and fans watched. That’s it.
But social media emerged and flipped the script, turning TV into an interactive experience, with fans having a real say in what happened on their favorite shows.
Whether it’s saving a canceled series, affecting the character arc or changing the direction of the story entirely, social media makes TV more like it than ever before.
But is this always a good thing? Let’s dig.
Fans resurrect the show before it’s cool
Before social media, the show that resurrected from the dead requires some serious effort. Take Jericho as an example.
Its fans canceled in 2007 and launched a massive campaign to send CBS 20 tons of peanuts (refer to a line in the show). The stunts worked, and the web green shortened the second season.
Fast forward to 2018, and Timeless fans launch a similar miracle – twice! NBC canceled the show, fans rebelled online, and the Internet reversed its decision.
And then it happened again. Although the show ended up with a TV movie, it proved that positive voice fanaticism can influence online decision-making in real time.
When fans react to the ship
Sometimes it’s not just about saving the show, but also about shaping the story.
Monica and Chandler’s romantic plot on friends should have been a one-night stand, but the live audience’s reaction was so positive that the writers had to rethink their plans. result? One of the most popular TV couples ever.
On South Park, fans have been painting Tweek and Craig long before the show hints.
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone saw the fan art and decided to lean over to turn the Tweek and Craig relationship into a sweet, fully realized romance, a rare example of Fandom, an example of fandom.
Meanwhile, Strangers run into things in the #JusticeForbarb campaign after Season 1. Fans are angry that Nancy and Steve barely acknowledge Barb’s death, and Lo and Behold and Bey Season 2 includes a sub-episode that addresses the consequences of her disappearance.
Whether it was a constant plan or a direct response to the commotion, the Duffer brothers clearly caught the attention.
Then there is Westworld, which allegedly changed the main storyline as Reddit users are accurately predicting the plot twist. Even Game of Thrones creator George RR Martin admits that when you leave the lead, you won’t be surprised when fans connect.
Fans live for those moments of life, and writers should be honored that they care enough for their performances to analyze in depth.
But should writers change courses just because people figure things out? That’s other debates.
When fans influence too far
Not every fan involvement will lead to a happy ending.
Take the arrow as an example. Many fans believe that more and more things are happening in Felicity/Oliver Romance as fanatical vocal segments drive it, eventually hijacking the show’s expected trajectory.
While some like “rugby,” others think it completely changes the tone of the series (myself included).
What about supernatural? Fans have long debated whether Jo Harvelle’s death was due to the fact that young female audiences don’t want to be Dean’s romantic companion.
The show has never been confirmed, but if it is true, it’s a crazy example of how fan preferences shape a story – even if it means killing a character who doesn’t get a fair shot.
Then there are the criminals, which writes about the derived criminal thoughts JJ and Emily Prentiss: Suspicious Behavior. Fans are very angry.
They boycott spinoffs, demanding their favorite characters return and threatening to stop watching the main show. The backlash was so strong that both characters were eventually brought back, and the badly fateful spin-off disappeared into television history. We forgot that it even exists. Are you too?
Pros and cons of fan motivation storytelling
So, is this new era of interactive TV storytelling a good thing? OK, yes, no.
The upside is that fans are more involved than ever. They know that performers, actors and the network are listening to their voices.
Social media also helps improve representation and storytelling, putting creators accountable when they lean into problematic metaphors (e.g., the infamous “buried your gay” rebound after Lexa’s death). When done correctly, audience feedback can push the TV in a better direction.
On the downside, not every story means a democracy. Sometimes, catering to fans can disrupt the natural flow of the show, forcing creators to change direction for the app.
The show may lose its original sound, the rhythm suffers, and may avoid huge narrative risks to make Twitter happy. Ultimately, this is not good for anyone.
Bottom line
Social media has changed the way we experience TV, turning fans from viewers into active participants.
This leads to incredible moments of redemption, such as bringing back beloved characters and forcing the writer to rethink outdated tropes. But this also led to some storytelling mistakes, with creators bent over too much to be under pressure from fans.
Ultimately, TV is best when there is balance – creators still interact with their audience in a meaningful way when they tell the story they want to tell. Because, honestly, sometimes fans know the best, but sometimes, they really, really don’t.
But what do you think? Should fans’ reactions and theories change the storytelling of TV? Vote in our polls and share your thoughts below.
