1 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Gilda. 2 00:00:05,960 --> 00:00:09,080 Speaker 2: I'm Chelsea Daniels and this is the Front Page, a 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: daily podcast presented by The New Zealand Herald. The world 4 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 2: of pop culture fandom was once on the fringes of society. 5 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:25,279 Speaker 2: Comic books, anime and sci fi movies have historically been 6 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 2: seen as the realm of nerds living in their parents' basements, 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 2: but in recent years, the power dynamics have shifted, and 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 2: what once was considered niche is now very much in 9 00:00:37,840 --> 00:00:43,520 Speaker 2: the mainstream. Blockbuster movies are increasingly being dominated by superhero 10 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:46,479 Speaker 2: and fantasy genre, and that's seeping into the world of 11 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 2: prestige television, and everything from La Booboos to the latest 12 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:54,880 Speaker 2: Nintendo Switch console are flying off the shelves in ways 13 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 2: that are taking their makers by surprise. To unpack why 14 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:03,440 Speaker 2: this side of culture is proving so popular, we're joined 15 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 2: today on the Front Page by the academic dean at 16 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 2: SAE Creative Media Institute, doctor Lorna Piati Farnell. So, Lorna, 17 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 2: I want to start with something that's close to my 18 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:21,600 Speaker 2: heart at least for now. 19 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:23,920 Speaker 3: That's Laboo Boos. For those who. 20 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,200 Speaker 2: Don't know what these actually are, how would you describe them? 21 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 4: Oh La Boo boos absolutely well, La boobas are dolls, 22 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 4: I suppose, or plushes, depending on how it wants to 23 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 4: look at it. And they've been described as little Elvish 24 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:44,480 Speaker 4: creatures and they're definitely inspired a little bit by Nordic folklore. 25 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,240 Speaker 4: They are fluffy, and they come in a variety of 26 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 4: colors and with they have intended associated personalities. Some of 27 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 4: the key features that make them stand out are these 28 00:01:54,640 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 4: big white eyes and mischievous smile and they've got very 29 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 4: toothy rims which are very cute. They've been released in 30 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 4: different collections and connect each collection is being characterized by 31 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 4: various different outfits, different facial features, different accessories, and I 32 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 4: suppose that's what makes this collection drop really unique. And 33 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,800 Speaker 4: what is also unique about them is that they're released 34 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 4: in limited numbers, so they are highly collectable and to 35 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,639 Speaker 4: some extent that is actually what has made them popular 36 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 4: over the years. 37 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,520 Speaker 1: And really what truly people go for is that that. 38 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 4: Really hard to get, but that adds to the excitement 39 00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 4: for potential buyers, and there's definitely a layer of prestige 40 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 4: that comes from owning the latest and being able to 41 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 4: share pictures in places such as Instagram. This reflects positively 42 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,399 Speaker 4: on the identity of the owner and definitely gives. 43 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:54,840 Speaker 1: Them points in the community. 44 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 4: But also one thing that is particularly important to me 45 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 4: is that this labititin Dominine seems to transcend age. 46 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:05,799 Speaker 3: Well, They've just become such a sensation. In recent weeks. 47 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: There have been reports of hours long queues overseas to 48 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: buy them, and even here I've heard that you have 49 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 2: to get to the Westfield really really early, and even 50 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:18,040 Speaker 2: reports of some fights breaking out in moles in the 51 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:21,240 Speaker 2: UK over who's going to buy these Laboo boos. 52 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:23,400 Speaker 1: We'll get this. 53 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:27,320 Speaker 5: In Britain, consumers are going crazy over the La Booboo 54 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 5: plush dog. There's been crowd shoving and reports of fighting 55 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,680 Speaker 5: in the long lines waiting for the collectible. The distributor 56 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 5: has since halted in store sales across the UK. Online 57 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 5: purchases are still available. La Booboo has exploded in popularity 58 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,440 Speaker 5: since coming out in twenty fifteen. You're gonna get one, 59 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 5: I mean, how. 60 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:50,840 Speaker 1: Can I not. 61 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:52,760 Speaker 5: I mean, if it's not piprolary, I might as well 62 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 5: get in line. And I love seeing it, So that's 63 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 5: a borus as well. 64 00:03:57,400 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 2: What I think is interesting as well is that you 65 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: buy them, and you don't know what color you're going 66 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 2: to get, so there's that added mistake around it. 67 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 4: Yes, absolutely they come in blind boxes, so truly, you know, 68 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 4: it makes that whole collector's value even higher because you 69 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 4: need to try and buy more and more and more 70 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 4: to complete. 71 00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: The latest release collection. 72 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 4: But then you know, like you don't know what you're 73 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,120 Speaker 4: going to get, so the possibility that you may get more, 74 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 4: you know, of the same one is higher and higher. 75 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 1: And you have to bear in mind that. 76 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,680 Speaker 4: The moment something becomes very collectible, the price goes higher too. 77 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,600 Speaker 4: And while they may retail at a reasonable price, so 78 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:40,479 Speaker 4: let's say reasonable, once they are open, and once they 79 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 4: are a particular color or a particular facial expression, particularly 80 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 4: if it's a rare one, then it gets resold and 81 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 4: that's when the price really goes up. 82 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,840 Speaker 1: And that's where the collectibility. 83 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 4: You know, a value gets higher and higher, and you know, 84 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 4: like you can see like internationally, you know on platforms 85 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,080 Speaker 4: like eBay, you know, the Boobo dolls going for in 86 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 4: credible prices. But that's part of the chase, and that 87 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,600 Speaker 4: is part of the prestige that comes with owning those 88 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:09,440 Speaker 4: red dolls that no one else has in the community. 89 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 2: I was trying to explain this craze to my mum 90 00:05:13,120 --> 00:05:15,799 Speaker 2: and she came back at me with, oh, so they're 91 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 2: like beanie babies or tamagotchi's And I was like, yes, 92 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 2: so these crazes they are cyclical, aren't they. They do 93 00:05:22,839 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 2: happen over generations. 94 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:29,720 Speaker 4: Absolutely popular culture trends. They go in cycles, things go 95 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:33,520 Speaker 4: in and our popularity. They may be similar items like 96 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 4: in this case splashes or dolls, or they may be 97 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 4: completely different. You know, they reach a peak and then 98 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:42,599 Speaker 4: more often than not, they either flutter away completely or 99 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,440 Speaker 4: they become you know, part. 100 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: Of sort of subcultures. 101 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 4: They still have an interest in there, but the mainstream 102 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 4: doesn't give them as much attention. Now, what these trends 103 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,599 Speaker 4: actually do. They tend to either both shall we say, reflect, 104 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 4: but also shape people's expectations or what is fun and 105 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 4: what they do for entertainment, and they often become very 106 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:07,080 Speaker 4: much associated with particular context and particular objects. Now, this 107 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 4: can range from wearing certain clothes to owning certain items, 108 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 4: to even playing certain games or even engaging in. 109 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: Particular pastimes, etc. 110 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 4: And bear in mind that as a side note, there 111 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,440 Speaker 4: is something to be said for personal preferences that don't 112 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 4: necessarily have anything to do with popular cycles and trends, 113 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,480 Speaker 4: but sometimes the mix and merge in the middle. So 114 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 4: there is an aspect of trends that has something to 115 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 4: do with feeling included and doing what feels cool, shall 116 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:43,239 Speaker 4: we say, especially big global popular trends, including watching certain 117 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 4: shows or eating particularly instagrammable foods, which is one that 118 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 4: I definitely indulge in particularly. But at the same time, 119 00:06:52,839 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 4: when it comes to trends, there is also an aspect 120 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 4: that is connected, shall we say, to self expression, which 121 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 4: sociopolitically and culturally often goes way you know, like beyond 122 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:09,039 Speaker 4: you know, popular culture practices. It's about how people see themselves, 123 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:12,320 Speaker 4: you know, in these objects and in these activities. Now, 124 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 4: popular culture, especially in fandom spaces, does provide platforms for 125 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 4: individuals to express their personalities, to express their interests and 126 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 4: their values through owning particular objects, sharing particular pictures, playing 127 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,800 Speaker 4: particular games, you know, like listening to particular music and so. 128 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:30,360 Speaker 1: On and so on. 129 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 4: So trends can be expressions of identity. That's why they 130 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 4: continuously come back in different forms, regardless of they might be, 131 00:07:39,360 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 4: including in the content creation space, which of course attracts 132 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 4: a lot of viewers and generate a lot of engagement. 133 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 6: There is a sort of infantialization to all of these 134 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:53,520 Speaker 6: things to sort of wanting something like that, I think 135 00:07:53,560 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 6: in your twenties. And you know this is not I'm 136 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,320 Speaker 6: not saying this is a judgment. I've talked before about 137 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 6: cosplay and how that sung up in Japan after the 138 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 6: nineteen ninety financial crisis. That retreat in a world that's 139 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,440 Speaker 6: basically failed young people, and I really do believe it 140 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 6: has the retreat into childlike things and to comforting things 141 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 6: and little treat in the absence and being able to 142 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:21,680 Speaker 6: sort of have any wider purchase on society I think 143 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 6: is linked. 144 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 2: I was listening to another podcast about La Boo Boos. 145 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,360 Speaker 3: And they brought up the lipstick index. 146 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 2: How in tough times we buy affordable luxury items or 147 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 2: something that makes us smile in order to make ourselves 148 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:39,760 Speaker 2: feel better. Is that a bit of what's happening here? 149 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 2: A labubu is a sign of economic turmoil. 150 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 4: Well, that is a very interesting question, and the lipstick 151 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 4: index is an interesting phenomenon in itself, or alleged phenomenon, 152 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:52,960 Speaker 4: And I wonder if perhaps we can give a little 153 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 4: bit of background to this. The lipstick index is an 154 00:08:56,160 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 4: economic theory suggesting that sales of are full luxury items 155 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 4: like lipstick or other cosmetics increased during times of economics 156 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 4: or political hardship of both. 157 00:09:09,360 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: Now, the term I believe was. 158 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 4: Coined by Leonard Lauder as he apparently observed that lipstick 159 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,840 Speaker 4: sales seem to rise during and around at the time 160 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 4: the two. 161 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:20,840 Speaker 1: Thousand and one global recession. 162 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 4: Now, this often has been discussed in terms of it 163 00:09:23,600 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 4: being a happiness index, you know, like that you one 164 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 4: buys in order to feel happy. But it's not quite 165 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 4: straightforward as that. I don't think it operates in similar 166 00:09:34,520 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 4: terms with what we said about, you know, owning. 167 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:40,559 Speaker 1: The La Boo boos or other you know. 168 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 4: Particular you know, the beanie babies, other particular you know, 169 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:48,040 Speaker 4: trendy items. The idea that we can own something that 170 00:09:48,160 --> 00:09:51,200 Speaker 4: is different and it is unique, and in terms it 171 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 4: makes us feel unique, even for just a short period 172 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 4: of time. It feeds you know, even cosmetics they can 173 00:09:57,440 --> 00:10:00,120 Speaker 4: feed into a sense of well being by being being 174 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 4: associated with ideas of beauty or maybe cuteness, which of 175 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:07,320 Speaker 4: course are culturally constructed ideas, but that's by the vibe, 176 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:10,839 Speaker 4: and those inevitably are connected once again to ideas of 177 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 4: self expression and ultimately belonging and acceptability. 178 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: And I think a lot of the. 179 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 4: Time with these trends, that's what it comes down to, 180 00:10:18,679 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 4: that idea, that feeling of belonging, of being part of 181 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 4: a community, and of standing out or within the community, 182 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 4: that inevitably is associated with a sense of happiness. 183 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 2: How much does this have to do with escapism. I've 184 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:43,959 Speaker 2: been interested to see, actually the lineup of movies coming 185 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 2: to cinemas this year. We've already had two Marvel movies 186 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,440 Speaker 2: and still have a Fantastic Four movie to come. We're 187 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 2: also going to get a new Superman, a new Jurassic World. 188 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 2: So are we just watching all these movies in order 189 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:58,520 Speaker 2: to not think about the world as it is? I suppose? 190 00:10:58,640 --> 00:11:00,439 Speaker 2: Or is that just what the movie end Stry is 191 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 2: landed on. 192 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 4: Well, I would say that escapism certainly plays a significant 193 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 4: role in many popular culture crazes and fads or viral 194 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 4: practices or preferences, including for genres such as fantasy or 195 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 4: sci fi, but it is not the only factor at play. 196 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: Now. 197 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 4: Escapism, like you rightfully say, can be a way to 198 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 4: cope with stress in difficult times, and that does come 199 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 4: into our current. 200 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,480 Speaker 1: Global situation for sure. 201 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,400 Speaker 4: But popular culture is often driven by a variety of 202 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 4: complex interplays of social, economic, and even psychological factors. And 203 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 4: then these include a desire for connection and for that 204 00:11:43,520 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 4: sense of community, so we participate in these practices to 205 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,600 Speaker 4: feel part of the group. Now, on the note on 206 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 4: genres such as sci fi and fantasy, which you know 207 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 4: superheroes broadly belong to, they give us an opportunity to 208 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 4: live in a different world for a while, to escape, 209 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 4: to experience something remote from our everyday situations, and in 210 00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 4: so doing, I guess they stimulate our imagination but beyond 211 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 4: what we know, and they're often highly entertaining, So the 212 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 4: appeal is easibly easily explainable in those terms, and we 213 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:21,640 Speaker 4: can see why film and episode media producers have engaged 214 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:25,400 Speaker 4: with these genres even more in recent times. Now, sci 215 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 4: fi and fantasy in particular are quite subcultural as well, 216 00:12:29,040 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 4: but they have exploded into the popular culture scene and 217 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 4: they can be sources of revenue beyond the media themselves. 218 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 4: Avid fans of fantasy and sci fi are also well 219 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:45,400 Speaker 4: known to indulg in collectibles, in merchandise, and you know, 220 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:48,400 Speaker 4: in other activities connected to the movies and to the series. 221 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 4: And this, once again, it really goes down to that 222 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 4: feeling that we are owning a piece of our favorite 223 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,959 Speaker 4: films and our favorite series, of our favorite genres, and 224 00:12:59,000 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 4: it makes us feel unique sometimes, it makes us feel different, 225 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 4: it makes us stand out. Most importantly, there is an 226 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:08,680 Speaker 4: identity and community aspect that comes with that. A sci 227 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:11,679 Speaker 4: fi and fantasy are perfect examples of how the community 228 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 4: can really give that sense of belonging through a media genre. 229 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,960 Speaker 2: And it's interesting as well, I think, because that's also cyclical, 230 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 2: like Superman movies came to the big screen at the 231 00:13:21,760 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 2: end of the seventies and Batman came back in the 232 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:27,559 Speaker 2: early nineties, and those genres are coming around. 233 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:28,680 Speaker 3: Every few years or so. 234 00:13:28,760 --> 00:13:32,479 Speaker 2: I've actually also noticed how this trend has seeped into television. 235 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:35,160 Speaker 2: So the Hollywood Reporter is predicting that three of the 236 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:38,640 Speaker 2: Best Drama nominees at the Emmys this year will be Severance, 237 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 2: The Last of Us, and and Or. So that's a 238 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:44,839 Speaker 2: trippy sci fi series, a video game adaptation, and a 239 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 2: Star Wars prequel. 240 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:54,160 Speaker 3: Welcome to the Rebellion. So the studios must know that 241 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 3: this is what people want right now. 242 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,480 Speaker 4: Well, absolutely, and bear in mind that, you know, especially 243 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:03,400 Speaker 4: sci fi but also fantasy. You know, they they tended 244 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 4: it historically, they tended to be relegated sort of to 245 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 4: the margins, you know, like of the popular culture scene. 246 00:14:09,240 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 4: You had these avid followings that some people thought that 247 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 4: were a bit weird, you know, not. 248 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 1: Not very fair. 249 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 4: But either that was the idea, or perhaps fantasy was 250 00:14:18,240 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 4: seen as too much for children, you know, fairy tales, 251 00:14:21,960 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 4: Disney movies, that kind of thing. But you know, in 252 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 4: recent years, you know, like there's been a lottle bit 253 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 4: of breaking of those boundaries and even something like superheroes that. 254 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: Would have been just seen as well like sort. 255 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 4: Of low level entertainment have really exploded into the big 256 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 4: popular culture scene. And they have moved, you or from 257 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 4: just the cinematic scene into television, into streaming episodic media, 258 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 4: you know, and the audience has grown immensely. It used 259 00:14:47,800 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 4: to be just to the side. Well now it's truly mainstream. 260 00:14:51,280 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 4: So definitely there is an idea that that trend, those 261 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 4: fantasy trends and those sci fi trends have gone beyond 262 00:14:57,800 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 4: the confines. 263 00:14:58,720 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 1: If you wish of. 264 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:04,440 Speaker 4: The cinem medium and truly spread across our popular cultural practices. Well, 265 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:08,479 Speaker 4: one thing that's allowed this to happen is definitely streaming services. 266 00:15:08,520 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 4: You know, the fact that we can have so many 267 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,640 Speaker 4: different genres and you know, experiment with different genres is 268 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 4: started with Netflix, and of course we have so many 269 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 4: different ones now where truly there is a lot of 270 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:24,680 Speaker 4: experimentation and we can cater to so many different tastes 271 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 4: across our audiences. So that availability and that accessibility has 272 00:15:29,400 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 4: definitely allowed genres such as sci fi and you know, 273 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 4: a fantasy to become a lot more popular in recent times. 274 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:42,280 Speaker 2: Bragging that you're all about the Marvel Universe is like 275 00:15:42,320 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 2: boasting that your mother still pins your midness to your sleeves. 276 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 5: You can, if you want, like the exact. 277 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 3: Same things you liked when you were ten, but if you. 278 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 1: Do, you need to grow up. 279 00:15:56,240 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 5: I'm not glad stan Lee is dead. 280 00:15:58,720 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 3: I'm sad you're alive. 281 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 5: And by the way, if someone says you're being childish 282 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 5: and you react by throwing a tantrum, you're not iron man. 283 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 3: You're irony man. 284 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 2: One of the criticisms of you know, buying La booboos 285 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 2: or video games or going to watch the New Superman movie. 286 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 2: Is that it is a bit childish. So the likes 287 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 2: of Bill Maher would tell us to all grow up 288 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: and act like adults. Is there a bit of regression here, Launa, like, 289 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 2: do we need to grow up? Is it bad for 290 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 2: the world that we're spending all of our money on 291 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 2: these ugly little Chinese trolls. 292 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 1: I see growing up? Who wants to do that? 293 00:16:39,960 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 2: Well? 294 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 3: You see? 295 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:46,760 Speaker 4: I think there is often arguably a misplaced belief that 296 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 4: if something is entertaining, if something. 297 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: Is engaging individually. 298 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 4: Or as far as a group, if something is playful 299 00:16:55,040 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 4: and it makes us happy, even for just a period 300 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:01,800 Speaker 4: of time, then it is childish, not proper to adult life, 301 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 4: you know. But we need to be I think a 302 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:07,639 Speaker 4: little bit careful here because popular culture shows us you 303 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:12,399 Speaker 4: know that games and collectible and fantasy films, or you know, 304 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 4: just fun and involved activities such as lapping. They are 305 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 4: a great way for individuals to express themselves, to let 306 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 4: them feel part of the group, to enhance their feeling 307 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,639 Speaker 4: of belonging, and to pass the time in terms of 308 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 4: hobbies as well, and truly, in our post pandemic and 309 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 4: hyper digital world. I think there is an ever growing 310 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 4: need for connection, for feeling part of something you know, 311 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 4: and you know, just not feeling alone. So you know, 312 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 4: engaging in those activities or attending fandom events definitely. 313 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 1: Can be part of that too. 314 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 4: We still need to exercise a little bit of caution 315 00:17:48,119 --> 00:17:50,720 Speaker 4: to make sure that everyone is safe and well being 316 00:17:50,840 --> 00:17:54,200 Speaker 4: must always come first. It is central, I think to 317 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:57,880 Speaker 4: a knowledge how popular culture trends and practices, from watching 318 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:01,320 Speaker 4: fantasy and sci fi to buying laboos can be very 319 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:05,840 Speaker 4: meaningful to people. You know, they cannot be dismissed, especially 320 00:18:05,880 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 4: in times of hardship. Well, you know, the support of 321 00:18:08,600 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 4: the community and feeling like we belong and feeling part 322 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 4: of something is very important. 323 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 2: Well, I'm going to take my adult money and go 324 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 2: buy myself a la booboo. 325 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 4: Absolutely, you can all indulge in something that makes us happy. 326 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 1: For a little while. 327 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:23,680 Speaker 3: Thanks for joining us, Lorna. 328 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:25,199 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure. 329 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:31,399 Speaker 2: That's it for this episode of the Front Page. You 330 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:35,240 Speaker 2: can read more about today's stories and extensive news coverage 331 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:39,280 Speaker 2: at Enzherrald dot co dot nz. The Front Page is 332 00:18:39,320 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 2: produced by Ethan Sills and Richard Martin. Who is also 333 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:47,880 Speaker 2: our sound engineer. I'm Chelsea Daniels. Subscribe to the front 334 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 2: page on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts 335 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 3: And tune in tomorrow for another look behind the headlines.