Network Preview

 St. George's YAL (NBC)

 St. George, like NBC, has recently found a formula that works, and looks like it will stick to it.  Like Thursday Night Must See TV, the demographic tends to be younger than the other big three networks, but a little older than some of other networks.  (See Greek Nights (Fox) and Kosmos (UPN)).  A quick look at the schedule shows the network poised to pick up its summer hits of Jaleo Nights and its spin-off, Sequoia Nights.  This network has a serious side as well, with a silent auction fundraiser in November and a Blood Drive in October.  This Blood Drive may prove to be the most unpredictable event on this network schedule,  as it's on the same day as the DC YAL Weekend Greek Night, leading to the often precarious results of giving blood and drinking right afterwards.  This may be this network's attempt to emulate another NBC show, ER.  

St. Katherine's YAL (CBS)

 Like CBS in the recent past, St. Katherine's events tend to appeal to a little older audience, with a heavy line up of Ballroom dance lessons during the 8:00 family hour on Thursday nights, and a much scaled back version of their Fall festival, a Greek Taverna on the first weekend of October. Sandwich making, by no means the equivalent of watching Emeril Lagasse or Wolfgang Puck go to town on the morning talk shows, is an end of the month staple at St. Katherine's.  The network's hipper alternative, a variety show of sorts that has become their Monthly-Get-Together (MGT) is on the third Friday of every month.  Extreme sports, in the form of Winetasting and Hot-Air Ballooning in the Shenandoah Valley replaces October's MGT on the schedule.  This network has also not been shy about posting its lineup late into the fall season with events such as a Washington Capitals Hockey Outing serving as November's MGT, and a Holiday Party and other things planned for November and December.  

St. Sophia's YAL (ABC) 

The first of the major networks to have a Greek Festival, St. Sophia's Festival is coming up this weekend.  Not many events have been confirmed on their schedule, but there are rumors of sandwich making and other events on the horizon.  It is unknown the key demographic sought by St. Sophia's Byzantine Ball, a dance and silent auction on October 27^th at the Wardman Park Marriott, at a pay-per-view price of $125 a ticket.  (Proceeds from this event benefit St. Sophia's new youth building.)  The most intriguing event on St. Sophia's lineup is a rumored event with Fieri, an Italian-American organization.  It sounds like the makings of a show more fit for HBO than ABC.     

Greek Nights (FOX)

Before the other major networks started getting more social, there were Greek Nights serving as the only outlet for Greeks to meet each other in this area on a regular basis.  These promoters take the largest risk of any of these networks, spending a lot of up-front capital on advertising and risking cancellation if their ratings aren't high enough.  Appealing to perhaps the youngest demographic with viewers as young as 18, (sometimes younger when a fake-id disables a V-Chip), Greek Nights, like the Fox network, are loud, a little too hot for TV at times, and constantly pushing the envelope.  Many compare Greek Nights to Fox shows/specials such as "90210" or "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?", where its all about what you wear, what you drive, and who you're with, with people never really actually meeting people at all.  It's voyeuristic television at its best.  But you know there will be viewers there nonetheless.     

 Kosmos Club (UPN) 

Its urban appeal and younger demographic, as well as up-and-coming status make GW's Kosmos Club a newcomer to watch this Fall.  Kosmos promise to get more people up outta their chair this fall with Greek Dance lessons planned for several Wednesdays this season.   Like UPN, which has acquired some shows from other networks during the off season, Kosmos has always had a goal of diversifying its demographic.  On a serious note, Kosmos makes sure to highlight several political and humanitarian issues by hosting various lectures and discussions on the Cyprus conflict. 

 DCGreeks.com (WB)

Like the WB, many viewers don't like to admit that they tune into DCGreeks.com, and the ratings don't truly state how many viewers are peeking in, usually when there is nothing better on.  The newest of all the networks, DCGreeks.com still relies on a great deal of syndicated programming from other networks.  Its original programming, released on Monday and Thursday mornings, is usually light-hearted, with the occasional "very special episode" when the occasion arises.  The producers of The Greekest Link (TGL) are fascinated by the tight point race between Pappas and Rina every week.  It's still too early to tell if the games are hard or easy or if these two contestants are just that good.  The producers are still waiting for a potential new player to emerge to challenge the supremacy of these two contestants.  Expectations also run high for The Kafenio, with the hopes that DCGreeks.com viewers will finally dial in and tell other viewers what's on their mind.  There is plenty of programming going on at other networks, and plenty of opinionated people out there, so it's surprising that everyone is so shy, even on an anonymous forum.

Rising Stars

Leading Female:  Open Casting Call

A rising star has yet to emerge on the scene yet on from the women on our site, as none of them have posted a picture yet.   

Shows

The following shows, despite their similarity to real shows on real networks, are not affiliated with any of the “networks” featured in this preview, but are generally indicative of certain aspects of the DC Greek Community.

20/20 - The ages of the two girls you meet buying drinks from the bar at Greek Night.

Antiques Roadshow - When men in their 50s show up to Greek Nightclubs.

Big Brother -  Ever get the feeling that there are about 26 cameras pointed at you in this community?

Candid Camera - When your mere presence at a Greek Event gets you on someone’s website.  DCGreeks.com is still considering whether or not to pick up this show for the fall season.

CSI:  Crime Scene Investigation -  When a bunch of Greek guys are standing in the lobby of the McLean Hilton after the Laconian Dance wondering how in the world the hottest Greek girl in the place, the girl who a member of the group was talking to for most of the evening while stealing his heart, gave her number to a total clown.  Was it robbery?  Hit-and-Run?  Tune-in this November and follow the clues.

Dark Angel -  There are plenty of confident Greek girls in this area who could kick any guy’s ass.

Everybody Loves The Guys @ DCGreeks.com -  After reading this preview, this show might get cancelled.   

Face the Nation -  Anytime someone new shows up to church or a Greek event for the first time.  

Fear Factor - Ordering gyro at a restaurant when you don’t see a cone spinning. 

Friends - A show about a group of guys and girls who, while having ups and downs in their relationships on a one-on-one level, still seem to remain friends and hang out.  We’re not sure if this show really exists in some parts of the DC Greek Community. 

Judging Amy - We don’t know any Greek girls in this area named Amy, but if there was one, we’re sure someone would be judging her.  

Just Shoot Me -  How you feel after going to a poorly attended Greek event after telling yourself, “Hey, maybe I’ll meet someone new at this one.”  

Politically Incorrect - Your Greek father.

Popular - No explanation necessary. 

Spin City - DC is a very political town and the Greek Community is no exception. 

Survivor - It often seems that people are being voted off in this community every week, sometimes for a good reason, but often not.

That 70’s Show - Get a load of what the bands at Greek Festivals wear, and you think you’re back in the late '70s.   

Third Watch - Fellas, when the first two watches you own don’t impress the ladies, you buy a third watch.

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