Yes, but my question is what kind of fanbase are we talking here?
I do not believe the majority of the DS fanbase is into the bloopers and camp and all that, despite what you found in an initial search for DS sites. The Sci-Fi channel site seems to be the one that comes up often in a DS online search, and that site can tend to reflect more of the fans who are into perceived "camp" value in the series. There is a significant portion of the fanbase who are into those things, but I don't think it is the majority. Over the years, I've seen what seems to be roughly three schools of DS fandom:
1.) The one you describe where the fans are mainly into the bloopers and seeing the humanity of the actors who can sometimes make mistakes. Some of these fans see DS as high camp, much to the chagrin of many of the show's actors. However, these fans love the show and actors, but get their main charge out of the theatrical acting styles, bloopers, rickety sets and all that.
2.) The dead serious DS fan who is very much into the mythos and style of the whole series. This fan really doesn't like the bloopers too much, and is into analyzing the storyline/artistic value of the show itself, as well as the performances of the actors, many of whom are held in high regard. These fans often try to fill in the plot-holes and attempt to correct inconsistencies in the show where they can, and really like exploring the world of Dark Shadows.
3.) The "somewhere in the middle fan" - the fan who suspends disbelief, and appreciates the creative qualities/storylines in the show, but can also get a real kick out of the bloopers and dated special f/x.
I'd say most fans fall into the #3 category.
I suppose I'm a bit closer to fan #2, but am certainly not so dead serious about the show that I can't get a good laugh when Roger says "incestors" instead of "ancestors." I mean, some of the mistakes are really hilarious even though they can sometimes detract from my enjoyment of the show. However, as an actress myself, I can completely understand how many of the actors don't really like having their mistakes laughed at, nor their serious performances thought of as camp. Many of the DS actors are stage performers so their style (appropriately for a gothic series) is larger than life. They did not set out to play the show for laughs by any means. I'm currently playing Medea in a production at Your Theatre (
www.yourtheatre.org in case any New England DS fans are interested in seeing what I feel is the archetype for Angelique). Since this is a Greek tragedy, it's really big and dramatic. I know if someone laughed at my performance and called me "campy", I'd be somewhat hurt about it since that wasn't what I set out to portray. BUT, I could understand if I screwed up and said "my incestors" and the audience got a laugh out of it, hey them's the breaks. You can't deny mistakes can be funny. But to dwell on them as a central focus is kind of uncool IMO.
THIS kind of fanbase gives Dark Shadows a tacky and laugheable reputation to a new generation used to special affects and high production values.
I disagree. I am a second generation DS fan, and while I quickly became aware of the "DS as camp" fans, it certainly never gave me the impression that DS was any less than an incredibly creative and atmospheric show, despite the technical/budget issues. Special effects and high production values will never supercede excellent writing and good, character-driven performances. However, I do sometimes think the general population is becoming more shallow in a way with regards to these things and might just rather see some slick computer f/x or a reality show about some dysfunctional group of people than to watch an intricately woven tale of intrigue and suspense. But sometimes, stuff like the X-Files comes along an disproves my suspicions about the short-attention span "internet" generation.
I also hope you don't think all the original DS fans are into the camp stuff, because that's simply not true and it would be a disservice to them to say so. Many of the oldschool DS fans have kept the show alive for 40 years. I don't think MPI ever marketed the show as jokey in any way (except for their Bloopers tape). The description on the back of the tapes and DVDs is quite repectful IMO.
If you personally feel the DS internet presence is not as well-represented as it should be, then create a website. You are an artist, so I'm sure you could come up with something creative.
~Penny Dreadful~