Oh Cappie My Cappie

I had a realization as I watched the season finale of "Greek" this evening, and that was I actually look more forward to watching that show every week more than pretty much any show. What are the odds that a little series-that-could on ABC Family (WHAT?!) would grasp my attention with ZBZ baby-pink painted claws.

I was a part of the Greek system in college, and sadly (or awesomely) enough this is the closest to sorority/fraternity life that has ever been portrayed. The unfortunate rules and regulations that bind the sorority sisters of ZBZ are ALARMINGLY close to what our Chapter Relations and Standards board enacted on us unwilling co-eds. In hindsight, I wish I could have joined a fraternity instead of a sorority--all the parties you could ask for without all the bullshit, but since my name is Erin instead of Aaron, I guess that wasn't a possibility.

However, the similarities between real Greek life and ABC Family's "Greek" life are not why I care so much about the show. In fact, the Greek system is just the environment, not the story...a bit like one of my other perennial favs, "Friday Night Lights." It comes down to the fact that it is just plain and simply a really good show.

I was not expecting this from ABC Family, save for another great show I accidentally watched that provided the lead-in audience to "Greek", and that is "Kyle XY." They promoted the shit out of that show...remember the poster of Matt Dallas lifting up his shirt revealing no belly button? Yeah, it will be forever singed on my brain from overexposure at the various malls of America. I thought it looked really stupid, but I ended up accidentally watching it on a repeat Friday night run on the regular ABC HD channel. I remember watching 15 minutes and saying "this is stupid" out of my own embarrassment, and by the end of the hour I was hooked.

This started my confusion with ABC Family. I remember ABC Family from when my roommate watched it in, ironically, the sorority house. It was LAME. All that was on was "Step-by-Step" and "Full-House" reruns. When did ABC Family become cool? And better yet, I really do not understand their slogan: "A New Kind of Family." What? A New kind of family that does what? Watch TV? That's not new. And weirder still: Why was "Greek" even considered to be on ABC Family? It is not exactly the stereotypical family-friendly entertainment. Drinking, fornicating and endless pop-culture references does not imply "fit for kids." But then again, I guess this is the "new kind of family..."

So, beyond the odd pairing of network to show, why is this show so surprisingly good? The show's producers aren't completely green, they are behind USA's "The Dead Zone" and fellow ABC Family's (I believe now defunct) "Wildfire", but not exactly Emmy faves either.* Well, I guess it's what makes any show a great show--excellent writing and spot-on casting. But not only that, it is truly entertaining. The perfect blend of comedy and "drama." However, my most favorite of all, is a little character known as Cappie.

Oh Cappie, what did I do before you? You are fun, hilarious, complicated, layered, and super sexy. Scott Michael Foster was the perfect fit. I do not know where he ends and Cappie begins. The only complaint I had this season was that there were not enough Cappie-centered story lines. I love the Casey/Cappie sexual tension...but I kind of think he is too good for her. He should move to Texas instead.

The funniest thing about this show too, is it is kind of unknown, but really well-adored by those who have had the pleasure to get hooked. I bought the first season the day it came out on DVD--watched it all over again in two days, and immediately shipped it overseas to my eager husband who unashamedly loves it as I do.

So, I guess I have to wait until January to get more of my fix. It's not even a guilty pleasure--it is just a genuinely great show. I hope more people fall in love with it as I have, and I hope the writers and actors continue to do a great job. And Cappie, you make me want to go back to college--and I would find out your real name.