“So what did you think?” a representative for the Lifetime Network’s screening at the ESSENCE Festival asked after the credits rolled on the preview screening of the St. Louis-based reality television series BAPS, an acronym for Black American Princesses (and princes).
“It was disgusting,” a woman yelled from her seat, just before family, friends and supporters of the cast had a chance to applause.
That particular incident wasn’t the first uncomfortably awkward moment at the screening – and it wouldn’t be the last.
Actually, had the cameras been rolling, the experience of the screening could have easily served as an episode of the show.
The line for the screening was so long that guests had to be turned away. The anticipation was electrifying as they took their seats and filled the room to capacity while others waited, hoping to squeeze in to see what all of the fuss was about with “BAPS.”
The cast was full of smiles, excitement and seemed giddy at the thought of making their reality television debut, in advance of the show’s first air date on Wednesday, July 23.
Sadly, I don’t think the screening ended the way the audience, costars, network or ESSENCE Festival anticipated.
Well before the show was half over, a mass exodus ensued.
Those who remained were the “BAPS” support system and a few passionate audience members who felt the need to share their disdain for the show.
When the lights came up for the Q&A segment, the cast spent half the time defending themselves and their on-camera actions.
The show has been getting plenty of buzz from the urban blogosphere and social media. Until the promo clips started to roll, the hype was mostly positive intrigue.
Everything changed when Anisha was captured on-camera saying,
“If you stuck us in the projects with one of our white friends, we’d look at each other and say, ‘How the hell are we going to get out of here.’”
The quote made its way to the Q&A period when a friend of another “BAPS” cast member questioned her logic in making the statement.
She said her quote was taken out of context because the editors chopped it down for the sake of juicy reality television drama.
In all fairness to the editors, Anisha and the cast apparently didn’t make the editors work very hard at showcasing “BAPS” drama. The show implied that negative stereotypes can be found (and even expected) within each of the varying dynamics of the black experience.
It’s evident from the first episode that, at least for Anisha, reality stardom is the primary focus. Shedding light on African-American affluence is a distant second. And based on the first episode, the affluence isn’t so much seen as talked about – by the cast themselves.
The typical format of reality television is that everyone in the group starts out as friends, but cameras then capture friendships that disintegrate while viewers take sides.
BAPS goes a different route. When audiences are introduced to the cast, Anisha and Kristen are BFFs turned bitter enemies who can’t stand the sight of each other.
Their feud is threatening the dynamic of the group – that also includes Jason, Brandon, Riccarda and Gina – and has consumed what was once quality time spent between the BAPS.
They are at each other’s throats from the first scene they share until just before the previews for the next episode. Public outbursts, insults and low blows are dealt to the point of nauseam.
Honestly, even those “Basketball Wives” and “Love and Hip Hop” fans who feed on fight sequences and backstabbing will ache for substance and back stories to be wrapped around BAPS.
“The first show came heavy with the drama to reel people in,” Jason said. “If you tune in, you’ll see more of the positive.”
Let’s hope so.
BAPS premieres on The Lifetime Network on Wed., July 23 at 9 p.m. CST. For more information, visit www.mylifetime.com.
