That's not true in every NPC group. I can't speak for all of them, but for my group at least there is no guarantee that a woman who accepts a bid will be initiated. A new member can be kicked out just like a member can for standards issues or failure to pay, etc. Of course, it's nothing like it is on this show either.

I'm pretty sure if you get caught drinking with a pledge pin on, or something to that effect, you'll get dropped. Or if you don't hit grades, you won't get initiated. I've seen both cases happen to wonderful girls.

Is a pledge class of five a realistic size you would be taking when starting a colony at a non-Greek school?

Yeah, I exaggerated the point a bit there. :) It is very difficult, but not impossible, for an NPC chapter to get rid of a new member. This sorority, OTOH, is kicking out a pledge a week. Nearly 2/3 of them are getting the boot.

Which brings up another question: dues. Have the American sisters or the British pledges been asked to pay anything? Or is it all on the TV station's dime for the duration of the season? What happens when the Americans go home and the British Chosen Five have a sorority to run, a house to maintain, a new rush to plan, a new pledging process to conduct, etc.?

I was thinking you probably were.

I doubt they have been asked to pay anything. I also doubt that five British girls without the backing of a TV station will be able to maintain any of it.

I'm guessing that potentially the next "rush" period would be series 2, should this carry on that far? I must admit, even though there are so many things that shouldn't be in this show, I can't stop myself from watching it every Tuesday night before I go to bed :o

That's probably what their plan is, since the TV station showing it wants to make lucrative television, not set up a successful sorority.

Episode 6:
http://www.videozer.com/video/dzuR

I am absolutely disgusted at the amount of hazing in this show! Oh my gosh, with the amount of anti-hazing education NPC organizations conduct, I am baffled at the participation of the American girls in this program.

I haven't been watching this show, but are these women in NPC sororities? From what I understand, they were "hand picked" to start this new chapter in the UK, but did they get to maintain membership in their old GLOs?

I presume so K_S, If i read correctly, they are a mix of KDs, DGs and TriDelta's.

And APiPhiHottie, I totally agree, I know this is about entertainment and not building a long lasting sorority, but I've noticed so many infractions in just 6 episodes, I've lost count!

My personal pet hate is the dismissal at the end "You have been weighed and measured.." it just totally remind me of the rumours I heard in high school about GLO's (circling the fat etc..)

The mild electrocution on the last episode was just beyond crazy.

Did like the big-little part.

It's like they are hellbent on using every single sorority cliche they could find on the internet. I'm waiting for the coffin next.

The electrocution exercise was especially disturbing. I think it's time their NPC organizations had a little chat with them all.

I think we are a bit overreacting about this "hazing". Unlike in actual organizations (I don't recognize Sigma Gamma) these pledges signed waivers different than a bid. This show is in the same vein as Solidarity was, the contestants can leave at anytime, and whatever torture they are put through is in their consent.

Consent is never a defense to hazing, so your conclusion that they consented and/or can leave anytime is irrelevant to whether it is hazing.