The One and Only Toni Lane

WHY DO WE LOVE THOSE WHO

Hello Clarice.
KILL?
I'll just sit here and be quiet, just in case they do suspect me. They're probably watching me. Well,
let them. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I'm not even gonna swat that fly. I hope they are
watching. They'll see. They'll see and they'll know, and they'll say, 'Why, she wouldn't even harm a
fly. (Psycho 1960)

A Little Background Information

Over recent years there has been an emergence of television shows staring serial killers.
Not only have these shows flourished, the serial killers within them have become sensations.
These types of shows are often nominated for, and receive, many awards including Emmys.
Such shows have had numerous popular seasons and many fans cringe at the idea of there
being a series finale. I might have a serial obsession with shows involving serial killers; and
crazily, you may too.
Capitalizing on our obsession with serial killers, networks such as FX, HBO, A&E, and
many more are scrambling to feed our appetites. Shows such as American Horror Story,
Dexter, Bates Motel, and Criminal Minds all have found success with serial killers as the
protagonists. Each show features the serial killer in a different light but yet they are all still
extremely popular. The success of these shows are built upon the viewers love for the serial
murderer and if you check the rating you will see that love is immensely high.
American Horror Story has a new serial killer featured in every season. The serial killer
is not the main character but you can always count on a new mass murderer within every
season. This serial killer character is featured throughout the whole season and plays a big role
in every season. Criminal Minds has serial killers featured all throughout the series. Criminal
Minds has featured over 100 serial killers within seven seasons. The show often allows viewers
to watch serial killers kill and figure out how they got caught. It also often allows the viewer to
figure out why the killer did it. Bates Motel is a show about the notorious serial killer Norman
Bates. Bates Motel shows the viewers Normans upbringing, and how that played a part into the
sociopath he became. The show follows the process into what turns him into the serial killer he
was in the movie Psycho. Dexter is a show about a serial killer who kills serial killers. This
show allows viewers to see serial killers outside of the killing aspect and involved in actual
life. It also leaves viewers with the decision as to fall in love with Dexter or want him punished
for his crimes.
I personally find myself binging on three out of four of the shows listed. And I am sure
that if I got a hold of the show Dexter, I would binge on it; right along with my other favorites.
In that aspect I am a bit biased, I also really want to know myself why I am obsessed with
these horrific shows. People, including myself, seem to have fell in love with shows featuring
psychopathic criminals; and more specifically the psychopath himself. The question is why?
Why are Americans and the media so obsessed with mass murders? What is it that makes
Americans love the television shows featuring these monsters? In order to address these
questions, I will develop a study which measures viewer identification and interest in serial
killer characters. In fact, I could be one of the people within my own study; that are obsessed
with these kinds of television shows.

The movie Silence of the Lambs featured a regular, one bath, four car garage, 1910,
Princess Anne home. The house was the home of Buffalo Bill, a serial killer in the movie Silence
of the Lambs; whose main character is Dr. Hannibal Lector, another notorious serial killer.
Buffalo Bills home from the 1991 thriller Silence of the Lambs; is now on the market for
300,000 dollars, without the dungeon, because of its brief spotlight within the film. (Booker,
2015) Dexter, a serial killer who kills serial killers, seems to be Americas new hero. The show
was so popular it was even syndicated by CBS in 2008. Audiences perceive Dexter as a social
worker rather than serial killer, and people even go as far to get Dexter pillow cases, bobble
heads, even body part earrings. Fans also play Dexter body toss games on the website. Amy Lau
and Johnny Grey even designed a Dexter inspired dining room with blood splattered all over it.
(Donnelly, 2012)

Michael C. Hall is the actor who plays Dexter.

The Literature
Review

Dexter presented its six season final on Dec. 18.; and

Americans obsessions with serial killers is very obvious

and can be seen in various ways. To Americans some
might say the most important thing in the world is money
and Americans are willing to spend high amounts of
money on obsessive objects revolved around fictional
murder characters. The media helps feed this obsession
with constantly shoving serial killers or heinous acts in
Americans faces and going out of their way to find them.
People are secretly in love with the bad guy and even
though individuals have many different reasons for
rooting for them their still rooting for them.

him or fans, would want to see Dexter behind bars or

was renewed for two more seasons, which would

make it eight seasons running. Hall does not believe

even on trial for his mass murders. (NPR, 2011)

Norman Bates is a serial killer from Alfred
Hitchcock's 1960 classic, Psycho. Dr. Justin Frank has
a notion on to why society never could shake Norman
Bates. Frank believes its the kill that makes us loves
Norman Bates. Frank stated "People are excited by
people who don't just yell, 'Kill the umpire!' but
actually do kill the umpire. And I think there's
something about that that makes him enduring also."
(Breslow, 2008)

Charlie Cullen is one of the most prolific serial killers in the nation. Charles Graeber, a
journalist, spent six years investigating Cullens case. Graeber wrote a book called The Good
Nurse based on the research he received from and about Charlie Cullen pertaining to his life.
(Interviews, 2013) Jack the Ripper was a serial killer in London in 1888. Jack the Ripper was
one man who was able to shock everyone worldwide, and was also able to terrorize the whole
nation. (Mudgett, 2015) News channels are interested more in crimes and murders than other
news. Television news programs want to scare viewers and make them feel as hopeless as
possible; because they believe it will make viewers more likely to watch the news. News rooms
are obsessed with crime and death and try to incorporate that into the news as much as possible,
even if it is fabricated. (Laing, 2015) American Horror Story: Coven could not make it to the
second episode without introducing its serial killer. (Lane, 2016) Within the interview I
conducted, when asked who the interviewees favorite character was, she picked Madison
Montgomery; a character who killed a bus full of boys within the first episode. (Lane, 2016) The
66th Primetime Emmy awards presented by The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences,
awarded a lot of shows featuring serial killers with Emmys. For example, American Horror
Story: Coven, FX, was awarded two Emmys. Also Sherlock: His Last Vow, FX, received three
Emmys. (The Associated Press, 2014)

Entering The
Conversation
Method:

The paper has told the reader about

Americans and the medias obsessive
behavior regarding to serial killers. It
also has backed up this notion with
articles from others writers and much
research. The paper has also given the
reader a background on some shows that
are associated with serial killers. The
hypothesis has been stated and facts have
been presented. Now I will take it a step
farther and base a research design off of
my hypothesis.

For this Study I will conduct a survey. This survey will include 16 willing participants who have
heard of or watched the following shows, American Horror Story, Bates Motel, Dexter, and Criminal Minds. Before
the survey I will interview each participant to give me a better understanding of how their life relates to the
way in which they answer the survey questions. I will use four female students and four male students from
UWRT 1104 courses. This would be called a cross-sectional study in Psychology, because the people within
share the characteristic of age, but vary in other characteristics. All of these subjects come from different
backgrounds and where brought to college for different reasons; but everyone has to take this course and
most people tend to take this course their freshman year.
Interview Questions
1. Have you ever watched or heard of American
Horror Story, Bates Motel, Dexter, and
Criminal Minds?
2. Where are you from?
3. What is your major?
4. Do you find yourself as an optimistic or
pessimistic person, why?

Survey Questions Part 1

1. Which of the following televisions shows do you prefer the most?
a. Bates Motel
b. American Horror Story
c. Criminal Minds
d. Dexter
2. Who is your favorite scary movie serial killer?

5. What types of films do you prefer and why?

a. Norman Bates

6. When watching movies do you normally find

yourself rooting for the good guy or the bad
guy?

b. Hannibal Lector

7. What do you like to do in your free time?

d. Freddy

8. How old are you?

e. Jason

9. Are you a female or male?

c. Michael Myers

3. Which movie genre do you prefer?

a. Exploitation
b. Grind House
c. Thriller
d. Horror

Survey Questions Part 2

4.How did you become aware of the shows
listed?
a. Commercials
b. Peers / Friends
c. Social Media
d. Award Shows
5. When you do watch these shows is it via:
a. Netflix
b. Streaming
c. Television
d. Applications
6. Rate your importance of watching such
television shows from 1-5; with 1 being lowest and 5
the highest:
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
e. 5
7. How often do you watch such television
shows?
a. Weekly (episode premiere)
b. Binge
c. When others are watching it
d. Only in free time
8. How do you feel about the gore within
shows such as American Horror Story?
a. Extremely unconformable
b. A little bothered
c. Mutual
d. Find it a little interest

Analysis:
Once I conducted my research I would then
check for any correlations between the interview
questions, and the way in which participants
answered the survey questions. My interview will
be in video form so myself and other researches
will be able to recall firsthand how the
participants answered the questions. I will then
watch the video and make a transcript so
researchers will also be able to read the interview.
The survey process will be on paper. Within my
research I will be looking for the differences
between the answers of female and male
participants. I also will look at how peoples
background play a role in the type of answers they
gave on the survey. For instance, if a participant
has a major in the medical field that would be a
reason for them to be interested in Dexter. I will
also be attentive of the level of importance the
participants put into watching such shows.
My data will be coded according to the
following:
CM: Participants picked Criminal Minds
because they indicate they are more interested in
why the killer does it and how they get the kill
done.
BM: The participants who picked Bates Motel
indicate interest in the upbringing of serial killers,
and how their life plays into triggering the
killings.
AMS: Participants that pick American Horror
Story have more interest in the gore and violence
of the kill.

e. Favorite Part
9. Which aspect of serial killing are you
more interested:
a. Up bring of serial killers
b. Why serial killer kill
c. What serial killers do when they are not killing?
d. The Fascination of the kill

D: Participants fond of Dexter tend to love

Dexter himself; this show gives fans a reason to
actually love serial killers without discernment.

Conclusion
Though I have not conducted a study I image that there are interesting underlying
reasons people are obsessed with serial killers. The research I would have conducted would
have shined light on a new trend many Americans are a part of and do not even realize it.
People have found this new found love/ obsession for serial killer characters within the media.
This obsession is almost as bizarre as the act in itself, because why are people so obsessed with
people that kill other people. Over the years Americans have become more desensitized to
violence this is not only in television shows but also in the real live news; this goes to show how
American culture has changed over time. Even taking a look at the difference of the killings
between the 1960 movie Psycho, and the 2013 show Bates Motel; which feature the same
character just the movies are in different time zones, the features of the kill are juristically
different.
My study would have shined light on the reason that Americans have this enduring love
for serial killer characters. Also it would have allowed me to find correlations between certain
television shows involving serial killers and the aspects that people like about them. Another
finding would include which gender was more susceptible to watch certain shows pertaining
serial killers. In addition, I would take the interview questions into consideration, and compare
peoples backgrounds to their survey answers relating to serial killers; leading me to why each
participant is interested in each serial killer or show in particular.
There are a lot of things other researchers would be able to take away from my research.
The research I looked at all circled around peoples obsessions with serial killers some without
evening knowing it. Many articles are about people actions, like the action of watching a show
about serial killers and then decorating your house in dedication to that made up serial killer.
People are very complex beings and my research looks deeper into why they like the things
they do. Other researchers could conduct studies regarding what effect binging on shows
revolved around serial killers have on certain peoples everyday lives. And in return, another
researcher could take that research, and compare it to the lives of people who binge watch
regular television shows and review the similarities and differences. Also they could conduct a
study looking into why which gender was more susceptible to certain television shows. Some
researchers could even go as far to look at why American culture has changed so much in
regards to violence based off the ideas of my research. My research would be a stepping stone
into how Americans can love those who kill and even want them to get away with it. Now are
you one of the ones overtaken by the execution? Never the less with my study you can know
why, or even be a part of unlocking the mysterious mystery, of the serious serial obsession.

References
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Breslow, P. (2008, July 1). Norman Bates: A Most Terrifying Mama's Boy. Retrieved March 16,
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Lane, T. (2016, February 27). [Primary Research Observations Of American Horror Story:
Coven]. Unpublished raw data.
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Mudgett, J. (2015, January 16). The unsolved mystery of Jack the Ripper | Jeff Mudgett |
TEDxVancouver. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from
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Reporter, D. M. (2013, June 29). Serial killers are TV's newest obsession as new shows featuring
cold-blooded killers rise in number, study reveals. Retrieved March 25, 2016, from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351730/Serial-killers-TVs-newest-obsessionnew-shows-featuring-cold-blooded-killers-rise-number-study-reveals.html
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2016, from http://www.npr.org/2014/08/25/343296131/the-list-of-winners-at-the-emmys

Farewell
-Love,

Toni Lane