Another poll answer
If you could only have been fannish about *one* of your shows (aliens made you choose *g*), which would it have been?
You know, my first instinct was to say SPN, partly because it's overall been so much fun, but also because I've still got that new fandom glow going even though we're into the third season.
But I think if I have to think in terms of fannishness -- as in the total immersion, all over it in a dozen ways, it would be a toss up between Highlander and Mag 7. In both those fandoms I was kind of all over them: the shows, the actors, hunting down extra-show sources, feverish to get more, know more, participate more...willing to discuss and argue and go meta and get deeply involved with the fandom.
But taking all things into consideration, I'd probably choose Highlander -- partly because of all the things that total immersion brought me, not the least of which are some of the closest and most enduring friendships I've ever had in my life. Also because everything in Highlander was new and shiny to me: Writing, posting, the internet, fandom in all it's whacked out, intense, silly, OMG the actual color of Methos's eyes is a topic is more important than death or taxes! Highlander was like a portal into a much larger world, that allowed all of my varied interests in mythology, in relationships, in violence and in heroism, to have free reign.
And that may be why SPN is running a close second because a great deal of the magic I found in HL exists here too, in the stories and character sand in the people in the fandom, where, I've once more made friendships I think will last me into the fast approaching last quarter of my life.
But, dude, Highlander was just the perfect storm, you know? The internet was just starting to really be accessible to ordinary dorks like me, the rough and tumble of newsgroups and BBS systems hadn't given way entirely to the consciousness (or conscience) that would later become the topic of maillists and fan gatherings, and while I know fandoms like X-files take prominence in that mid-nineties explosion, I have to say that Highlander really had some of the smartest damn people I've ever talked to, and people were passionate about whatever corner of the fandom they were staking out...slash was still the awkward step-child, and you had damn well better know your canon, movie and television both...and the creativity was damn near explosive with people trying all kinds of stuff in terms of writing and expressing themselves, of slahs fans taking a stand, and people finding common ground.
I was a helluva lot more involved and got into some of the most awkward and often brutal disagreements with people and personalities, but I learned a lot too. So for the whole fannish experience, I'd have to say Highlander.
But then I'd have to go kill me some aliens because all my fandoms have brought me new things, and since I'm only ever involved in one at a time, I wouldn't want to give up a piece of any of them.