70
Popular Culture Review
jokes from weeks, months, or even years past, and recognize the familiar
characters who are, after all, listeners just like themselves.
Additionally, there are newly emerging norms such as Rome setting a ban
on certain topics once he decides these have been overplayed on a particular
day, the utilization of a phrase that becomes the day’s chorus after emerging
from an interview, or references to an exceptionally successful or unsuccessful
caller. For instance, referring to the show as “The Jungle” is used rather
infrequently now, whereas it was once quite ubiquitous in the parlance, perhaps
reflecting the transition from the earlier years of the show when it was much less
navigated territory. This constant updating of the group norms requires even
non-calling listeners to be attentive, thus more involved in the development of
the group than a show in which the expectations of language are more constant.
The need for emotional safety is an interesting concept to consider in this
environment. The popularity of the show gives listeners some assurance that
their membership is safely supported by others (although of course the show has
its critics). Since the most basic way of asserting one’s membership in this
community is to listen to the show, which occurs primarily in a private setting,
the safety of belonging is very high.
Although the show began as a regional show serving the Southern
California area, its current status as a nationally syndicated show creates
particular demands in order to maintain this broad membership. A fan’s
connection to sports is typically based upon a specific allegiance to a team that
has a regional identification. How then does a national show create community
amidst the multitudes of regional alliances that exist across multiple sports? The
Jim Rome Show uses the opportunity to educate listeners about colorful rivalries
and create a narrative around signature teams (e.g., the “Domers” of Notre
Dame). Both the host and listeners continually conduct a sort of virtual athletic
tour where social identities are crafted that transcend their limited geography,
with places transformed into characters (e.g., “Bugaha,” Nebraska). Even those
listeners who do not support the teams discussed can follow along with the
story.
Influence
McMillan and Chavis’s definition of influence requires that members of the
community feel they have influence and also states that the more cohesive the
group, the more the group has influence over its members. The Jim Rome Show
is perhaps most famous for the widespread influence that the host’s linguistic
style has on its listeners. Whether the listeners call into the show or adopt the
language outside of the show, the attempts to emulate the host are explicit.
Listeners liberally use the “smacktionary” and attempt to imitate Rome’s style,
readily accepting and even relishing being called “clones.” In fact, Rome and
other callers regularly refer to the listening audience, whether speaking to or
about them, as such.
Aspects of social network analysis (SNA) also provide a useful lens to
analyze how listeners to the show are able to exert influence. SNA is a formal