Two Ts In A Pod – "Dirty Rush: Get the Party Started"

Date: November 1, 2025
Podcast: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Episode Theme: Sorority Date Parties—The Chaos, Drama, and Delight of Greek Life Gatherings

Episode Overview

This episode dives into one of the most talked-about aspects of American college Greek life: date parties. Through candid conversations and listeners’ real-life stories, hosts (with guest callers) dissect the customs, wild moments, and nuanced social dynamics of these infamous events. The episode centers on the fun, chaos, awkward pairings, unexpected drama, and pressures that come with finding the “right” date. Multiple callers from different universities share unique traditions and personal mishaps, painting a vivid picture of these storied social rituals.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What Are Sorority Date Parties? (02:24–03:19, 13:09–13:19)

• Date parties, sometimes called “formals” or “Crush,” involve sorority members inviting dates (usually fraternity boys, friends, or sometimes other women) to themed celebrations held at various venues.
• At some schools, formals are exclusive and require students to accumulate participation “points” to earn the privilege of attending.

Quote:

“You pick a date. Everyone puts their name on a date doc. And you have to have a certain amount of points in your sorority to be able to go.” – Rachi (13:19)

2. The Art (and Stress) of Finding a Date (03:00–03:46, 13:56–14:08, 23:52–24:01)

• Early college years are more competitive for finding a "hot" date; by junior/senior year the pressure fades as everyone knows each other.
• It’s more fun when friends or same-gender guests are brought, and sometimes girls attend alone, challenging the idea that having a traditional date is necessary.
• Peer pressure can become intense, especially when friend groups coordinate their date plans, making some feel left out.

Quote:

“Sometimes it's more fun if you bring a friend than a boy.” – Gia Giudice (24:01)

3. Unique Traditions: The UCLA “Crush” Party (03:19–07:56)

• At UCLA, the “Crush” date party is particularly unique:
  • Members privately rank three prospective dates; a special committee reaches out to the men, who accept invitations without knowing who invited them.
  • Each sorority grade (freshman, sophomore, etc.) dresses to a different theme.
  • Mystery and secrecy spark both anticipation and comic confusion.

Quote:

“The guys don’t know who asked them... All they know is, like, the theme of what they're dressing to.” – Grace (05:31)

• Chaos ensues if multiple girls rank the same guy: seniority determines priority, but sometimes neither knows whose date he’ll be.

4. Themes and Pre-Party Rituals (05:31–06:09, 15:26–15:29, 23:00–23:11)

• Themes—ranging from “Under the Sea” to “Kentucky Derby” and “Y2K”—fuel creativity and excitement.
• Before and after parties (“pregames” and “postgames”) are often just as (or more) enjoyable than the main event.
• Coordination of costumes by class year or group is highlighted as a bonding experience.

Quote:

“Every grade dresses to a different theme...like, one grade was under the sheets—everyone wore pajamas. One grade was, like, under the sea, so everybody was sea-themed.” – Grace (04:56)

5. Mishaps, Awkward Encounters & Discipline (08:45–09:43, 15:40–17:36, 24:06–24:56)

• Stories include:
  • Getting caught making out with a crush in front of a sibling’s friend (08:45–09:43)
  • A “lunatic” date getting so drunk at a party that the host is brought before a disciplinary board (J Board) (15:40–16:36)
  • A date urinating off a porch, caught on a house Ring camera (16:36–17:04)
• Drinking and rowdy behavior regularly lead to tension and sometimes official consequences for the inviter.

Quote:

“If you bring a date and they get wasted, then you can get a J Board... your date was peeing off the porch at 3am.” – Rachi (15:40, 16:36) “At the end, there was a fight about who won... they started physically fighting, and it was the craziest thing ever.” – Gia Giudice, Kentucky Derby story (24:45)

6. The Politics and Pressures of Date Choice (14:32–14:54, 25:32–25:48)

• Party invitations can become political: if someone invites you to their formal, there’s an expectation to return the favor.
• Multiple invitations can create dilemmas about whom to bring, and friend groups often amplify the pressure.

Quote:

“He brought me to his, but I really don't want to bring him to mine. It was like all these politics.” – Host (14:32)

7. Gender and Friendship Dynamics (14:04–14:14, 17:09–17:36)

• Bringing a “just a friend” date lowers stakes and can be more enjoyable.
• Some regret not bringing a girlfriend instead of a male date, suggesting the social norms may be shifting.

Quote:

“Maybe if I went back, I would bring a girlfriend.” – Rachi (17:29)

8. The Drama and Aftermath (17:16–18:15, 24:56–25:32)

• Parties often involved some kind of fallout—jealousy, romantic mishaps, lost items, or group drama.
• The expectation is ups and downs are par for the course.

Quote:

“I don't remember a lot of nights where... you were like thrilled after a date party... there was always like something, I feel like, with them.” – Host (17:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the anonymous UCLA “Crush” tradition:
  “They have no idea who asked them. They just know that somebody asked.” — Grace (04:56)

• On making out in front of a sibling’s friend:
  “I had started making out with the guy that I liked at the venue and it happened to be right in front of my older brother's best friend... My older brother's best friend, like, text my brother: 'What is going on?'” — Grace (08:45)

• Sorority party discipline:
  “If you bring a date and they get wasted, then you can get a J Board.” — Rachi (15:40)
  “Your date was peeing off the porch at 3am...” — Rachi (16:36)

• On party pressure:
  “There's definitely pressure if your friends are also bringing boy dates.” — Gia Giudice (25:48)

• On themes and creativity:
  “I love the Kentucky Derby theme.” — Gia Giudice (23:11)

• On drama and fights:
  “At the end, there was a fight about who won and who crossed the finish line first. And so they started physically fighting, and it was the craziest thing ever.” — Gia Giudice (24:45)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Definition & Overview of Date Parties: 02:24–03:19
• UCLA “Crush” Tradition Explained: 03:19–07:56
• Funny/Embarrassing Party Stories: 08:45–09:43, 15:40–16:36
• Political Dynamics of Invitations: 14:32–14:54
• Discussion of Themes & Rituals: 05:31–06:09, 15:26–15:29, 23:00–23:11
• Kentucky Derby & Party Fights: 24:06–24:56
• Party Pressure & Friendship: 25:32–25:48

Tone and Style

Candid, playful, and slightly irreverent. The episode leans into nostalgia, with a hint of FOMO for those who missed out on Greek life. The guests and hosts are unfiltered, humorous, and self-aware, often poking fun at themselves and the absurdities of sorority life.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a fast, funny, and unfiltered confessional about the cult-like rituals of U.S. sorority date parties. The sense of drama, pressure, creativity, and mishap is constant, but so is the nostalgia and camaraderie these events foster. Whether the stories are about awkward bus rides, “lunatic” dates, secret rankings, or epic party themes, the takeaway is that these events are unforgettable—and often unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.