Television Review: Greek

By Sierra Filucci

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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this college-set comedic drama features lots of drinking, a large portion of it underage. College students frequently do shots (in one scene, a guy does a body shot off a girl's exposed belly and bites a lime out of her mouth). There are several scenes of intense making out and semi-nudity (down to bras and underwear), plenty of discussions about sex (often euphemistically), and regular use of sexually oriented insults like "slut," "whore," and "bitch." Violence is generally limited to the fist fight variety, but there's lots of nasty competitiveness and shallowness -- though viewers are supposed to know that this isn't exemplary behavior.

Families can talk about the issues the show raises. What are the dangers of drinking too much? What risks come along with hook ups and casual sex? What messages does the show send to teens about responsible behavior? And how much of what happens in the show is meant to be taken seriously? Teens: What impression does this show give of college life? Do you think it's realistic? What aspects, if any, seem exaggerated? Families can also discuss the Greek system. What do you think of fraternities and sororities? What influenced your opinion? Does the show offer any surprises about the Greek system, or do you think it perpetuates stereotypes?

When freshman Rusty (Jacob Zachar) gets to college, he's looking forward to the fun of parties and girls. But even as he tries to join a fraternity, he can't leave his geeky ways behind. His sweetly uncool manner gets him noticed, for better and worse, and soon, Rusty's a GREEK. Serving as the show's moral center amid the depravity that the college Greek system is widely (and somewhat stereotypically) known for, Rusty stands up for himself and his shallow, mean sister, Casey (Spencer Grammer, Kelsey's daughter), and even tolerates his strange roommate, all while studying in a world-class engineering program.

With several appealing characters, this comedic drama series is engaging -- and it actually presents a rather balanced take on the Greek system. But the show suffers from cheesiness, heavy-handedness, and a sort of cheap-production-value appearance.

And Greek's lessons aren't always clear-cut. Other than Rusty, who's simply angelic, the show's characters are simultaneously debauched and down-to-earth, shallow and sincere, macho and tender, friendly and secretive. This makes for fun viewing but poor role models. Cheating, blackmail, backstabbing, underage drinking, promiscuity, and other iffy behavior are constantly on display. Kind of makes you wonder why it's on ABC Family.