The sidewalk in downtown Buffalo was lined with black velvet ropes. Inside the Sphere - a nightclub on Main street - a large screen played the premiere of MTV's Sorority and Fraternity Life shows, taped at UB.
Unfortunately, nobody was watching.
The party was billed as a premiere party for the debut of the two reality-based television shows, offering attendants the chance to watch the premieres with the cast members of Fraternity Life.
The Sphere, which is normally closed on Wednesday nights, stocked up on alcohol and brought in extra employees. When they opened their doors, no one - not even the fraternity brothers or sorority sisters - showed up.
Apparently, the confusion arose from a promotional deal between MTV and the Sphere of which the fraternity brothers of Sigma Chi Omega were unaware. Advertisements for a party at the Sphere were placed in local newspapers, and flyers were distributed throughout Buffalo.
"They flyered us without telling us, and we didn't know anything about it. I found out from a friend that there were flyers about us," said George, a junior and Sigma Chi Omega former pledge master.
Joe Guagliardo, owner of the Sphere, said his club has a deal with MTV and the fraternity, wherein the Sphere will promote the new show on MTV and have parties with the cast members during the show every Wednesday night for 14 weeks.
As part of the deal, MTV will supply tapes of the show to the Sphere, which does not have cable television, each week.
"No one wants to lose money, but this is the largest and best club in town," said Guagliardo. "By next week, people will catch on."
Representatives from MTV could not be reached for comment.
Colin Healy, a senior and the president of SCO, said the fraternity will watch the show at a variety of locations over the next 14 weeks - including, but not limited to, the Sphere.
"We are looking into other things and they (the Sphere) are one of the people we are looking at," Healy said. "So basically, our impression was a couple of Wednesday nights, sure as h--- not every Wednesday."
The advertisements and flyers distributed by the Sphere displayed the MTV logo, along with the letters of the fraternity.
"I didn't know anything about it. I don't know why they are using our letters to promote their bar," said Erik, a senior and formal chair of SCO.
Guagliaro said he was under the impression that the cast members were excited about the premiere party.
"The boys have been promoting the h--- out of it," he said.
The sorority sisters of DZO said they knew nothing about the party at The Sphere, but at Quote - another club in downtown Buffalo - the reality show party was in full swing.
Quote was packed with not only the sorority sisters of DZO, but many other UB students as well.
Despite the poor turnout at the Sphere, Guagliaro said he is excited about the show.
"This is making Buffalo look great," Guagliaro said. "It shows that we have a nightlife and a liberal school. It's not just about the snow and bad weather. Buffalo has a lot to offer and it is still growing."
"This is the best advertisement for a college," he said.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
