Show on PBS

BobcatAZD · #1 10-01-2001, 02:24 AM

I know most of you don't know me, I am rather quiet, but definatley a regular. I just thought it would be of some interest to say that tonight I ran across a documentary called "whatever" on PBS. It was about sorority life, I know this thread is similar to the MTV one, but I had to bring it up. The camus they were at was anonymous, but they featured many greek people discussing sorority life. Mainly the portrayale (sp?) was not good and some of my sisters were apalled at the fact they interviewed girls that have been expelled from their sorority for one reason or another. They even were showing secret handshakes and discussing certain chapter's rituals. They gave an e-mail address for complaints, but they ran it to fast in the credits, and I could't get it. They spotlighted a few specific houses, and the main reporter who was yound, signed up for recruitment and went through and did an undercover story about it. I really was angry and I am going to be contacting the local PBS station, for the show specifics. I just thought I would let ya'll know to see if anyone else happened to see this. I am in San Marcos, Tx just south of Austin. Let me know if any one knows how I can get in contact with the show please.

maggieaxid · #2 10-01-2001, 09:30 AM

wow! i had no idea about that!
i would go to the pbs website and see if they have a link to shows in their archieves, or see if they give you an email address there.

AlphaGam1019 · #3 10-01-2001, 10:27 AM

http://www.naatanet.org/apatv/archives/whatever.html

http://www.pbs.org/pressroom/1999/wi.../whatever.html

is this the documentary you are talking about?

The1calledTKE · #4 10-01-2001, 11:34 AM

Great job finding those sites I couldn't find them when I looked. Too bad they don't show that here I am curious to how bad they damaged greek reps.

dzrose93 · #5 10-01-2001, 11:36 AM

I am appalled that PBS, of all networks, would have the audacity to air such a show! I would expect MTV to do something like this, but the fact that it was on PBS just blows my mind. According to the links provided by AlphaGam1019, the film was shot in 1997. I guess the producers could find nothing better in their archives than a 4-year-old piece of fluff like "Whatever." UGH!

33girl · #6 10-01-2001, 09:32 PM

I don't know about anyone else, but our sweetheart ceremony (aka candle pass) isn't secret in the least. We've often done it at formals and as a matter of fact, my 5 little's hubby proposed to her by blowing out the candle at a formal. It sounds silly that they would make out that this was a big "secretive" ceremony when it's not.

Zepher22 · #7 10-01-2001, 11:15 PM

When will it re-air? (I'm in Central time).

lifesaver · #8 10-02-2001, 12:18 AM

Even from the media release, you can tell the story is slanted;

"The "sisters" judge each rushee on their looks, backgrounds and parents' occupations. "

I think this is a bit of an assumption. Like a sorority would say yeah, we want her because her dad does...... Come on.

"After a certain number of times around the circle one of the sisters would blow out the candle flame, indicating she had become engaged and had reached the "pinnacle" of her life." Please, please perpetuate the stereotype that the women in greek life really are second class citizens dying for a throwback to the 1950's.

Whatever. Seems about right, but for the quackumentary.

BobcatAZD · #9 10-02-2001, 02:24 AM

Thank you so much for the link. I am going to write a complaint letter, no matter how old. As was said PBS is a very reputable station, and I figured they would show both sides of the table. As for the candle light ceremony, our isn't secret either, we do it at weddings. However, I don't like that they were showing certain handshakes and that they talked about initiation rituals. A documentary is supposed to show the fact-based story of something, not a twisted, biased version of things. I just can't believe it. But thanks so much for your help- finding thearchives for me. When things make me mad, especially bad portrayals of greek life, I get pretty passionate about setting them straight.

kimmykimmy · #10 10-02-2001, 11:36 AM

My two cents is this. You really could shoot yourself in the foot if you send them a letter and you HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE DOCUMENTARY YET.

Think about it. How many times has people complained about a certain tv show or song or movie and then you realize they haven't seen the show, movie etc.?

It could really undermine your credibility. In fact, without seeing the documentary, you have no credibility.

The moment it airs again I will see it and I will write a letter too but not before.

dzrose93 · #11 10-02-2001, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kimmykimmy
My two cents is this. You really could shoot yourself in the foot if you send them a letter and you HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE DOCUMENTARY YET.

Think about it. How many times has people complained about a certain tv show or song or movie and then you realize they haven't seen the show, movie etc.?

It could really undermine your credibility. In fact, without seeing the documentary, you have no credibility.

The moment it airs again I will see it and I will write a letter too but not before.

Kimmykimmy,

I understand your point completely. However, if you read the write-ups that were done by the people promoting the show you can get a pretty good description of what is shown in the documentary itself. From reading those articles, I could easily tell how biased and negative Whatever is and that it was created to portray sororities in a poor light. Even the title of the show is derogatory! If Greeks want to voice complaints after reading the write-ups, then I feel that they should do so.

Just my opinion...
Carrie

The1calledTKE · #12 10-02-2001, 11:50 AM

I agree with dzrose!!! Free speech. Heck this is a greek site so we can complain if we want to. =P

BobcatAZD · #13 10-02-2001, 11:20 PM

I am not sure if the reply on writing them a letter was meant for me, but just to clarify I am the one who saw the documantery, so I think it is appropriate for me to and if anyone else does that is there choice. If you chose not to say anything then that is fine too. I myself though feel that they did not represent Greeks appropriatley and if the wanted to express a one-sided opinion, then they should call it an editorial.