After millions of viewers tuned in for the first season of
“Sorority Life” over the summer, MTV is back at it
again, this time with fraternities representing.
Hoping to recreate its success garnered by exposing the
inner-workings of a UC Davis sorority, MTV will premiere its second
season of “Sorority Life” followed by its new
counterpart “Fraternity Life,” tonight at 10 p.m. and
10:30 p.m., respectively.
In a second attempt at demystifying the inner-workings of Greek
culture, the shows will document the fall 2002 pledge classes of
Delta Zi Omega sorority and Sigma Chi Omega fraternity at the
University of Buffalo, covering the entire semester from their dry
rush week to crazy parties and initiation.
And all this, of course, is complemented by the backdrop of the
pledges’ luxurious yuppie living quarters, a trademark of MTV
that originated on its more recognized reality program, “The
Real World.” With the network’s deep pockets, the
producers spared no expense in creating the ideal version of what
many would probably like to envision their sorority and fraternity
houses to be, complete with pool tables, outdoor spas and trendy
furniture.
However, the pledge house on the show was criticized by many as
one of the most unrealistic depictions of Greek life. In most Greek
organizations, there are no pledge houses, which may indicate that
MTV’s “reality” show should be taken with a grain
of salt.
Marianne Resue, former president of DZO at the University of
Buffalo, had uncertainties about how her sorority would be
portrayed, when she learned that an entire semester would be edited
down to fit 30-minute weekly episodes.
“One major concern is about underage drinking, and the
portrayal of partying,” Resue said. “I’m afraid
that some of our history will not get portrayed as it really was.
We’re a very tradition-based sorority.”
What some viewers may not realize is that the organizations
featured in “Sorority Life” and “Fraternity
Life” are local chapters that exist only at the University of
Buffalo, and do not necessarily have to follow the same guidelines
and regulations that most other Greek organizations do when they
belong to a national infrastructure.
“We make our own rules and things like that. If the bylaws
are outdated we can turn it over because we have a lot more
freedom. We don’t have nationals telling us what we can and
can’t do,” Resue said.
“I think it was a great way to become involved in
everything. If I had to do it over again, I would do it the same
way,” she continued.
After the season starts airing tonight, however, it’ll be
interesting to see if the women of DZO, along with Resue, will
still say the same.