where they really intersect folklore, I think, is the way that the audience takes them and they become a part of the way we relate to each other.

Yes, this is pretty much what I meant; I recall getting stuck in a boat at the bottom of Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland (long story) and someone in the boat behind us started singing the "Gilligan's Island" theme song. Which everyone -- even the non-Americans -- recognized and could at least hum along with. Was kind of amusing, actually.

TV shows and very popular movies become sort of a cultural "taken-for-granted", I think, much as the old oral traditions did, and I think that's kind of how I see fanfic and I suspect it could be argued (though not by me!) that some of the "Old Tales" are also a sort of fanfic; new stories about well-known characters.

I must start researching programs. Not that I can afford to go back to school right now. However, this is all definitely relevant to my interests.