magicmark

One theory you might find interesting comes from Cracked.com. It puts a political spin on vampire as well as zombie fiction (unfortunately just in an American context, but they are mostly American movies):

http://www.cracked.com/article_19402_6-mind-blowing-ways-zombies-vampires-explain-america.html

An enjoyable read, but not without some problems. I can see how you would raise an eyebrow at the idea of Colbert, a straw man near-cartoon character listed as a news source. But comparing him, Oliver and Stewart to the likes of Beck and Limbaugh goes, I feel, two steps too far.

I would say the biggest difference between Stewart / Colbert and Limbaugh / Beck is that Colbert and Stewart (Stewart more so) cite their sources, which are usually primary sources. They reference, and quote from, reports, studies and the politicians themselves.

They show clips and quotes in their context – they even extend clips other networks had cut misleadingly, showing their previously hidden, real contexts.

“Last Week Tonight” in particular, takes the approach of news-with-comedy as opposed to comedy-with news. I don’t see these shows being included as information sources alongside network news as “troubling,” as you put it. I see an appropriate level of trust in people who often do more to research the topics they cover than the “real” news channels they lampoon – and indeed, in Oliver’s case, rival.

Great article! I admit, I was a little sceptical of your “old vs new” split, but you won me over. It would be interesting to see what other factors influenced the development of vampire stories beyond what you touched on here – for instance, I find it interesting that Dracula is an aristocratic villain from a monarchist author like Stoker. But I thoroughly enjoyed your look at vampire fiction, and am looking forward to your next piece!

Loved the article! It really made me stop to re-think a director I thought I knew more about than I did.