If MTV’s “The Real World,” “Road Rules” and “Dismissed” aren’t enough reality for one channel, the influential network has started the second season of “Sorority Life,” a show that follows a real sorority at a real university with real students. But according to many of its viewers, “reality TV” is not a fitting term to describe the show.
After a successful first season following the girls of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of California at Davis, the girls of Delta Zeta Omega at the State University of New York at Buffalo won the bid for the second season. MTV also is following a fraternity at the same university, Sigma Chi Omega.
The show documents the processes of recruitment and pledging and tracks the girls for the rest of the semester to capture the unfolding drama. Arguments ensue concerning everything from sleeping with the lights off to the rudeness of cell phones. However, many students, greek and non-greek alike, have problems with the accuracy of the show and the problems it may cause.
“The cattiness is embellished to dramatize it,” said Kristen Hanlon, a Kappa Alpha Theta freshman. “They do it up because they’re on TV. There’s really not that much drama.”
Hanlon recognizes sororities are being misrepresented and believes it is rooted in the unique nature of the chosen sorority.
“People who watch this show will see people who drink a lot, who are all about image and are egotistical,” said Hanlon. “That isn’t what sororities are about at all. They’re allowed to be like that because they are a local sorority. A national sorority would probably never get picked because of rules and regulations that local sororities don’t have to follow.”
Rachel Stich, a Delta Zeta sophomore, agrees the greek image is being distorted by the show.
“I don’t think it’s accurate at all,” Stich said. “I don’t think the stereotypes will be improved or changed because they didn’t show enough of the charity work that sororities do. Service is a big part of our sorority; it’s not all about having fun.”
Greek students aren’t the only ones who disagree with the show’s portrayal of greek life. Many non-greek students are skeptical about the show’s accuracy.
“The girls they chose go all out,” said Lina Atiyeh, a mass communication freshman. “They drop everything to pledge the sorority like it’s the end of the world. I think they chose those girls because they knew they would cause controversy and people would watch. I don’t think it reflects the sorority scene at all.”
Other students believe the show only digs the greek grave a little deeper.
“It’s detrimental for them,” said Amy Smith, an elementary education senior. “The greeks’ image among non-greeks is not very positive already. This program only confirms why I never wanted to rush in the first place. I’m thankful that I didn’t.”
Accurate or not, Smith is concerned with what the show says about women in general.
“It’s pathetic when girls our age have to validate their personality through organizations based on opinion, which is obviously happening on this show,” said Smith.
To catch the “reality” show students say is anything but, “Sorority Life” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on MTV.