fan service

[ fan sur-vis ]

noun

1. material added to a work of fiction for the perceived or actual purpose of appealing to the audience, used especially of material that is risqué or sexual in nature: The scene where the fan favorite and the new character meet is pure fan service.

   The episode had a lot of fan service involving scantily clad characters.

   The scene where the fan favorite and the new character meet is pure fan service.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fan service¹

First recorded in 1995–2000

Example Sentences

But that is what we’re left with now at this point in the race – special fan service appearances disguised as journalistic exercises.

From Salon

Crammed with opening-night jitters, drug-fueled mania and a touch too much reverence, director Jason Reitman’s salute to ‘SNL’ is vividly acted fan service.

From Los Angeles Times

All great stories can be dragged down by fan service.

From Salon

As the political commentator Tim Miller said around the time Kerr was onstage, “I don’t understand how this is helping Kamala beat Donald Trump. It’s fine. It’s ok! It’s not harmful. It’s just fan service for political obsessives.”

From Slate

And Ryan Reynolds’ fan service vehicle did not disappoint.

From Salon