If everyone’s like me and hasn’t been completely oblivious to what’s going on in the media then you’ll agree that there is a trend that’s got people excited. Vampires. When you hear the word you may think of bloodsucking Dracula type creatures that live somewhere near Transylvania but not as of late. Today when you hear the word your thoughts begin to swirl around a plain-looking girl living in Forks, Washington and the beautiful, undead boy she’s madly in love with. Vampires has got everyone in pop culture screaming in delight. We are all familiar with the hit phenomenon of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga, the book now brought to life by the movies and the success of such an idea has sparked more ideas to bring sexy vampires to the scene.

Trueblood came next with its telepathic barmaid who gets wrapped up in  vampires, shapeshifters, maenads and all things paranormal. This I am an avid fan of and the show is already become the 2nd most successful show on HBO under The Sopranos. But what is it about vampires that has everyone’s panties in twist? An article in USA today believes they have the answer: “One reason for the intense teenage interest in newer stories, especially Anne Rice’s “The Vampire Chronicles,” “Twilight” and “The Vampire Diaries,” is the sense that the vampires are outsiders among us. In “True Blood,” they’re simply trying to fit into society.” I completely agree with this and the fact that is is now considered “cool” in pop culture. Malcolm Gladwell said it best when speaking of how things become cool in his article The Coolhunt, “The act of discovering what’s cool is what causes cool to move on.”(Gladwell, 2) Vampires are now an extremely cool concept!

The CW is also trying to cash in on the success of vampires in the media. The network’s new show The Vampire Diaries has become an instant hit. There’s no other explanation for this except that America is in love with vampires and the sex appeal these dark creatures bring to the table.

References:

Gladwell, Malcom. (1997). The Coolhunt. New Yorker. Retrieved 25, October 2009.

Truitt, Brian. (2009). Our deep, dark obsession with vampires. USA weekend. Retrieved 25, October 2009.< http://www.usaweekend.com/09_issues/091025/091025cover-vampires.html>

 clevertv (2009) New moon official trailer #3. Retrieved 25, October 2009. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs79_5n848Q>

HBO(2009) True Blood season 2 trailer. Retrieved 25, October 2009. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qufAFY7FL0U>

Johntfolden (2009). cw vampire diaries tv series pilot promo trailer. Retrieved 25, October 2009. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCGBdpCvbzk>