Touched By An Angel (Sunday night)
 

Just flipped it on (about 15 minutes after it started). The story is about a college student whose father is making all class, etc. decisions for him. These include wanting him to join a fraternity, i.e "get yourself down there and sign up to pledge." I can't believe this, but they just (the supposed fraternity brothers) told him that since he'd missed the other "tests" to join, he was going to have to drink a huge amount of tequila!

Normally I like this show but I can't believe they're taking this angle... obviously no one talked to any of the fraternity headquarters to get accurate information. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif

Next week's CSI episode is called the Pledging of Mr. Johnson. Yes, you guessed it, an investigation about the alledged hazing death in a Las Vegas fraternity.

I wish I had enough money to force these producers to make a positive episode regarding Greeks!

Sabrina also had a greek theme last Friday. She and her roommate wanted to do a story on this sorority Mu Pi. It seemed that the pledges had to do all the homework of the actives if they wanted to be a member.

A few years back, there was a MOnday night movie (fictional) about a girl pledging a sorority that died and the problems that came to the school after that. It was based on a pledge scheme that had actually happened but without the ill consequences. We had our meeting early that night since all houses were asked to watch it.

I find it funny that the reputation of Greek organizations has changed so dramatically as of late. It used to just be the ditzy girl theme (Saturday Night LIve Tri-Delt skits) and preppy guys. Now we are contrived as sadistic people. It's pretty sad. THe thing to remember is that these are stereotypes put on us by those outside our organizations. Therefore, something in our presentation must be the cause. Until we as IFC, NPC, NPHC all come together to create a "case statement" then these portrayls will continue.

When was the last time we saw a good movie or tv show about being Greek?

It was called, "Broken Pledges...Dying to Belong" If that's not the ultimate drama movie of the week name, I don't know what is.

I knew it was something like that! Thanks. That is my point though, that name alone would have some parents not let their children pledge.

I had this wild idea that we should (all) band together and create an advocacy group called GAAP. Greeks Advocating Accurate Portrayal.

Any thoughts?

Hey, Roma. Touch THIS. (whack)

I remember the Dying to Belong movie...a pre-Boys Don't Cry Hilary Swank was the "heroine" standing alone against the evil sorority chicks, and she was so gol-darned obnoxious I was rooting for her to get hazed. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

The hazing emphasis is ridiculous, not to even mention the totally fictional portrayals of other aspects like the rush procedure. As much as I can't believe I'm saying this, I think one of the more sympathetic and realistic portrayals of Greek life was on 90210. They showed the girls going through rush, and Kelly and Donna loved it but Brenda made a rational choice that it wasn't for her. They also showed them doing philanthropies and such. I know it was far fetched in most ways, but at least they portrayed two well-liked characters becoming part of a sorority. That would never happen today - take Felicity, for example. They've never even mentioned Greek life (although I don't know how prominent Greek life is at the real NYU, so they could be protraying things as they actually are).

I think Pnguin Trax's idea is awesome! Greeks have become one of the few groups that it's politically correct to completely rip on and allow no equal time whatsoever. When I say that, people say "Well, you CHOSE it." That's true. But it still doesn't open me up to get attacked for a bunch of ridiculous stereotypes with no basis in fact.

KarenC mentioned the groups coming together...personally, I think that the statements that are issued need to have a little more teeth http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif in them. The statements issued by NPC when Dying to Belong came out were so tepid, they made no ripple in the water at all. If we are as passionate about our organizations as we claim, we should show it.

Mentioning Brenda and 90210 reminded of a random movie that I saw on cable starring Shannon D. (I don't recall what it's called). She portrayed a young college woman, in a sorority, involved in other activities as well (the movie made references to talent shows, when she was younger, specifically vocal music).

Actually, Shannon's character was not sterotyped at all - it was a very well developed characterization of a young woman who was close to her family (especially her much-younger brother), loyal to her friends (who were mostly non-greek), and in some ways offbeat (she sang the lead in a college garage-band!)

I think the main emphasis of the movie was that another young woman was stalking her character, and basically making her life miserable...however, any and all aspects of sorority life was portrayed in a very positive light. There were scenes shot in various parts of a sorority house - the living room, a bedroom (and the girls were studying, in that scene). I think a sorority engagement/congratulation ritual was also portrayed, in a very tasteful fashion. Also, there was a scene in which the sorority sisters were discussing whom to extend bids to, and why - again, tastefully done.

Can anyone think of the name for this movie?? Whoever wrote the script undoubtedly had exposure (perhaps direct experience) with greek life. It's one of the few movies I've scene that has casually incorporated greek life in the script in a positive light, and not resorted to stereotypes.



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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

Yup, that's the one! Thanks Laura. It definitely is a movie that rocks.

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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

I'd love to be a founding member of GAAP! I think this is awesome. Did you guys know that Cher's daughter, Chastity, runs an organization that oversees the portrayal of gays & lesbians in the tv and film industry? My mother was reading an article to me about it. So we have that organization, we have the animal welfare group that oversees the use of animals in tv and film...so why not GAAP? I say we go for it!

Oh, and I always have to add "The Critically Acclaimed" before talking about Dying to Belong. Yeah right - that Sixx reject from Blossom was a real academy winner in that one http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif



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"Alpha Chi Omega - If you only had 2 wishes, what would your second one be?"

Yes, for the most part, Kelly and Donna's sorority (anyone remember the name?) was portrayed positively. However, I do remember that there was one episode, where Donna was recommending a tall female plain-looking basketball player, and her "snobby" sisters didn't go for her, but the basketball player got a bid (presumably this was all COB) from a sorority down the street and she was going to accept it, and Donna told her to "go for it", and kind of showed an "in your face" attitude to her sisters.

Steve Sanders' fraternity was pretty stereotypical though, as evidenced by the name "KEG" house...(hmm...what does that suggest?). I also remember the whole John Sears & Kelly thing, along with when Casper VanDien was briefly on the show as a KEG'er and he was pursuing Donna. There seemed to be no absence of boozing and womanizing. But I think they did show a Dance A Thon or something, too.

...but I digress! Does anyone miss 90210 as much as I do?? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

I really miss 90210, but it is always on in reruns on FX. I don't know the the sorority's full name, but I think they called themselves Alphas. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

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I am who I am.
Those who matter don't mind,
Those who mind don't matter.

The sorority Donna and Kelly belonged to on 90210 was Alpha Omega.

I remember that "Broken Pledges...Dying to Belong" movie. I believe I saw it when it first aired. I remember always wanted to be in a sorority & was a little frightened by it, but here I am...who knows how long it's been...& yes, I still want to be in a sorority (rushing in the spring http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif) Although, it din't change my mind, I do think that this gives not only the general public, but especially prospects and parents a bad attitude toward Greek life.

Allison

PenguinTrax....
I think I would also love to create this group with you! This would be a positive, powerful advocacy group that would help prevent any further slander of the Greek name...

Thanks for telling me! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

That is really interesting. Coincidentally, there is a local sorority called Alpha Omega at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Their homepage is here: http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwss/greek/alphao/

PnguinTrax, I like your idea about creating the GAAP. I would be interested becoming a part of it and believe the group would be a great positive influence on public perception.

Kevin Mullinix
Beta Theta Pi Alum
Epsilon Mu Chapter
George Mason University '97

I don't believe this!

I spoke too soon about Felicity never showing Greeks....as I speak, the girls are at a "frat" party, doing jello shots & playing (this is really ridiculous) strip ping-pong. And of course, this is the week Felicity gets totally trashed and does some random man.

And I hate to tell you this Kevin...but the fraternity is named "Beta Theta Xi"!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

33girl,

No way! OMG. I never watch that show. Well, if there going to sling mud at my fraternity they should at least get it right, Beta Theta Pi. Not Beta Theta Xi. What are they thinking? I admit that it could of been a typo or some made up idea. Man, strip ping pong of all things. Hmm.

I was SOOO dissappointed in "Felicity" for airing that episode. It has been my favourite show since it went on air and they have to go do something like this?

I think all the TV stations got together and declared October "anti-greek month" http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Barb,

Any more thoughts on GAAP? What kind of structure do you envision for it? I'd be interested in seeing this become a reality.



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equeen
A Lioness has her Pride!
@>--;--
Always
Seek
Knowledge
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies

Set your VCR's everybody...the critically acclaimed "Dying to Belong" is on USA at 3 PM today!!

I think dewgirl is right about it being anti-Greek month!

I think that the show was great!! It was real.


Greeks and Geeks

Julie (Amy Joe Johnson) sudden and inexplicable departure is taking its toll on Felicity (Keri Russell), who feels guilt and remorse about the situation. To help her get over it, Molly (Sarah-Jane Potts) and Meghan (Amanda Foreman) take her out for the night, and they soon wind up at a frat party. Felicity, who is feeling no pain from the vodka shots, is shortly abandoned by her two friends during a game of doubles strip Ping-Pong. The next morning, Felicity awakens to realize that [A] she has a huge hangover; [B] she lost the strip Ping-Pong game; and [C] she's lying half-dressed in a bed with an equally near-naked frat boy.
http://tvplex.go.com/touchstone/felicity/index2.html

Touched By An Angel

Episode #703: Legacy
Original Air Date: October 22, 2000
Written by: Jennifer Wharton
Directed by: Bethany Rooney
Produced by: Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Max Rigney shows up for his first day of college with his father, Sam, who is proud to show him the frat house of which he was once president--the PIG House. Rafael meets them and introduces himself as a student. Tess and Andrew join Rafael, noting that Sam is paying for Max's education--but only if he goes to this school, pledges this fraternity, and takes all the right courses. Walking around campus, Sam is greeted by Monica; he recognizes her voice and has a troubling flashback. He later discovers that Monica is a visiting philosophy professor, and secretly determines that Max will have to stay away from her--which shouldn't be a problem since he, Sam, has chosen Max's coursework. But that night, Rafael helps Max make a decision of his own and take one class his father hasn't chosen for him--Monica's philosophy class. He tells his mother about it on the phone, and mentions that he might not pledge PIG. He likes being his own man--but that night, his father drives two hours back to campus to demand Max drop the philosophy class and join the fraternity. So Max pledges PIG and goes through all of the hazing rituals, but Monica is able to convince him to stay in her class. That night, Max and Jamie and Greg are locked in the clock tower by two frat brothers. Security guard Andrew shows up and spends some time talking to Max. After Greg and Max help Jamie through an asthma attack, the boys become fast friends. Their last hazing ritual demands that if a pledge fails any of the other challenges, he must drink 21 shots of tequila. When Jamie fails the PIG history quiz, he decides to take the drinking challenge. When he can't finish it, Greg finishes for him--drinks the rest of the shots--and immediately passes out. The PIG brothers convince Jamie to take the rap for the frat by saying he bought the tequila. Jamie does so, knowing that if he doesn't he won't get in. Greg is raced off to the hospital, and the next night, just after Jamie and Max have been accepted into the fraternity, Jamie is arrested. Max discovers that Greg is in a coma--and that when his father was president of the fraternity, there was another controversy, which Sam won't say much about (it is the troubling night he remembered in his earlier flashback). Max visits Greg in the hospital and receives a revelation from Rafael, who explains that just like in the popular movie "The Matrix," there is more to this world than what we can see. The other three angels appear, too, and encourage Max to make his own decisions--right decisions, based on truth, not on going along with his dad. They explain that the controversy Sam lied about being involved attempted rape and that his father has been lying ever since. Max decides to confront his father, speak the truth to get Jamie out of jail, and live in the truth--even if that means paying for college himself.
http://www.touched.com/episodeguide/...seven/703.html

Dying to Belong...Watched it. Didn't even know it was gonna be on. It was so hateful. What was really stupid was the behaviors displayed. A prospect at a sorority rush function where the girls were drinking and climbing up some stupid hill or something and they dared the prospect and bullied her into doing it? Right! I mean, I have seen the girls during rush, and they can me a bit evil, especially during snap biding and final invites (only to each other of course), but to prospects? Whats that even based on? I think my favorite was they (girls)were drinking straight from a bottle of Jim Beam. I have some serious partiers in my chapter, and I cant remember seeing them ever guzzle straight from a bottle. One, we'd kick their ass for it(hard liquor is a banned substance in my house), and secondly, how trashy is that? At least find a glass or something. I was so mad by the time the show was over! It was SO cheezy.

Plus, beshide the whole looser from blossom thing, like ANYONE'S gonna take Zack from Saved by the Bell as a serious college reporter? Whatever!

[This message has been edited by lifesaver (edited November 01, 2000).]

Greeks and Geeks

Julie (Amy Joe Johnson) sudden and inexplicable departure is taking its toll on Felicity (Keri Russell), who feels guilt and remorse about the situation. To help her get over it, Molly (Sarah-Jane Potts) and Meghan (Amanda Foreman) take her out for the night, and they soon wind up at a frat party. Felicity, who is feeling no pain from the vodka shots, is shortly abandoned by her two friends during a game of doubles strip Ping-Pong. The next morning, Felicity awakens to realize that [A] she has a huge hangover; she lost the strip Ping-Pong game; and [C] she's lying half-dressed in a bed with an equally near-naked frat boy.
http://tvplex.go.com/touchstone/felicity/index2.html [/QUOTE]


Here's some more about the other show-

Touched By An Angel

Episode #703: Legacy
Original Air Date: October 22, 2000
Written by: Jennifer Wharton
Directed by: Bethany Rooney
Produced by: Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Max Rigney shows up for his first day of college with his father, Sam, who is proud to show him the frat house of which he was once president--the PIG House. Rafael meets them and introduces himself as a student. Tess and Andrew join Rafael, noting that Sam is paying for Max's education--but only if he goes to this school, pledges this fraternity, and takes all the right courses. Walking around campus, Sam is greeted by Monica; he recognizes her voice and has a troubling flashback. He later discovers that Monica is a visiting philosophy professor, and secretly determines that Max will have to stay away from her--which shouldn't be a problem since he, Sam, has chosen Max's coursework. But that night, Rafael helps Max make a decision of his own and take one class his father hasn't chosen for him--Monica's philosophy class. He tells his mother about it on the phone, and mentions that he might not pledge PIG. He likes being his own man--but that night, his father drives two hours back to campus to demand Max drop the philosophy class and join the fraternity. So Max pledges PIG and goes through all of the hazing rituals, but Monica is able to convince him to stay in her class. That night, Max and Jamie and Greg are locked in the clock tower by two frat brothers. Security guard Andrew shows up and spends some time talking to Max. After Greg and Max help Jamie through an asthma attack, the boys become fast friends. Their last hazing ritual demands that if a pledge fails any of the other challenges, he must drink 21 shots of tequila. When Jamie fails the PIG history quiz, he decides to take the drinking challenge. When he can't finish it, Greg finishes for him--drinks the rest of the shots--and immediately passes out. The PIG brothers convince Jamie to take the rap for the frat by saying he bought the tequila. Jamie does so, knowing that if he doesn't he won't get in. Greg is raced off to the hospital, and the next night, just after Jamie and Max have been accepted into the fraternity, Jamie is arrested. Max discovers that Greg is in a coma--and that when his father was president of the fraternity, there was another controversy, which Sam won't say much about (it is the troubling night he remembered in his earlier flashback). Max visits Greg in the hospital and receives a revelation from Rafael, who explains that just like in the popular movie "The Matrix," there is more to this world than what we can see. The other three angels appear, too, and encourage Max to make his own decisions--right decisions, based on truth, not on going along with his dad. They explain that the controversy Sam lied about involved attempted rape and that his father has been lying ever since. Max decides to confront his father, speak the truth to get Jamie out of jail, and live in the truth--even if that means paying for college himself.
http://www.touched.com/episodeguide/...seven/703.html

I'm working on a few ideas and will post them as soon as I have something that seems to be in final format.

Barb

It could be mud slinging against Theta Xi... or most likely none at all http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif


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Steve Corbin
Lambda Chi Alpha
Theta Kappa Chapter
Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech.

It does seem like it's "anti-Greek Week" on TV (good thing I don't have one, or it would have been thrown out the window!). If any other campus group were marginalized and stereotyped the same way Greeks are, there would be much more of an outcry.

From what I've seen posted here on greekchat, no wonder everybody stereotypes all of you.

How ridiculous! Get in touch with reality for a change!