Summer’s Lower Standards: Greek

Posted by Maggie July 10th, 2007 at 10:27am In Guilty Pleasures

Apparently summer is the time when odd spin-off networks premiere their “college life” series. Cristin just covered The Best Years on the N. I’m ashamed/proud to say I watched the premiere of Greek on ABC Family.

Let me say up front that I am completely unqualified to judge the realism/pointed satire of this show, as my college had no fraternities or sororities (instead we had this. ugh). But that may be why I’m fascinated by the process. What are these “pledges” and “bids” of which you speak?

The show follows a brother and sister as they navigate life on campus, in particular Greek life. The sister is a super-popular and sorority-obsessed. The brother is a nerdy freshman engineering major who wants to experience “real” college life, so he decides to rush a frat. There are two main frats: the snooty clean-cut one run by the sister’s boyfriend, and the Animal-House-esque one run by the sister’s ex-boyfriend-who-obviously-is-still-hung-up-on-her- but-is-hiding-it-under-a-mask-of-asshole-ish-ness. The ex-boyfriend’s name is Cappie, which I only remember because the frat is Kappa Something, and it is completely ridiculous that his name is also Cappie (pictured). I’m very much hoping that’s a nickname. There are some shenanigans involving illicit hook-ups and sibling solidarity. Some people get punched in the face. Some people have to sneak out through the window. In the end, due to the fact that the real asshole is obviously the current boyfriend and the ex-boyfriend is way more fun, the brother accepts a bid at the Animal House frat.

For all its obviousness and occasional groan-worthy dialogue, I was surprisingly entertained. A bunch of the jokes landed. My favorite was this exchange between the siblings:

Sis: I don’t want to be a social piranha.
Bro: Pariah.
Sis: What? I don’t know what you’re saying.
Bro: It’s social pariah.
Sis: Look, no one wants to hang out with a piranha.

I’m not saying I’m going to add it to the TiFaux’s list, but when there’s nothing else on, it’s a good time-waster. I’d be interested to hear the opinion of someone with actual knowledge of Greek life (ahem, Cristin). Luckily they’re re-airing the episode on Friday! Right after they re-air the direct-to-TV sequel to Bring It On, the one with Hayden Panettiere!