My Two Fans Cheers on Fandom

In the world of online video, once you’ve secured the support of a large and generous fanbase, there’s very little you can’t do. For proof, look no further than Felicia Day: Loyal viewership has been a big factor in the success of her show The Guild. But the makers of My Two Fans take that kind of devotion to the next level, imagining a world in which one plucky, single woman’s life is not only supported by the addition of a loyal entourage, but vastly improved.

Created by Hollywood veteran Lauren Iungerich, My Two Fans tells the story of Kate. After a bad public breakup, Kate won the affection of Teddy and Franklin, who quickly begin cheering her on, offering her advice, and giving her support during rough patches. So far it’s hard to say whether or not they’ve dramatically improved her life, but even if they haven’t, she at least seems less lonely. My Two Fans invokes the spirit of broad 80s sitcoms, all the way from the title to the poppy music to the acting. And while pointing that out could be interpreted as a slam, it really just means that there’s a familiar and comfortable tone to the proceedings.

The 16-episode season is being distributed via all major video sites on a bi-weekly basis, augmented by short and fun “Fan Tips” segments. The acting is great, especially Barret Swatek (a veteran of quarterlife and 7th Heaven), who manages to be likable, flawed and funny — a tough mix for any actress. The chemistry shared between her and her fans is friendly and unforced, giving their quasi-improvised interactions a fresh and natural rhythm. The only major flaw in the direction is the overall pacing, which lets scenes drag on well after the joke has been told. Each episode run 5-7 minutes, but they could easily be much shorter.

However, the series really nails the nature of fandom — specifically, how when someone is truly obsessed with a person or a subject, they’ll let it take over their lives completely. Teddy and Franklin let their adoration for Kate consume them (there’s no sign of them having lives outside their worshipping, and when outside distractions appear they’re visibly uncomfortable), but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel free to express their opinions when Kate makes a bad move.

Think about fans of a TV show debating plot developments online. Their critiques aren’t meant to tear down the show; they just want it to live up to its potential. Same goes for Kate’s fans, who make Kate better by virtue of their sheer existence. Hopefully My Two Fans will get some fans of its own, too.

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