Since I’m still flying high on fellowshipping with my people all weekend long, I’ll start with the good news. I was absolutely thrilled to see STL getting major play at the ESSENCE Festival Empowerment activities thanks to a major partnership between The Lifetime Network and ESSENCE Festival as they promoted the St. Louis reality show BAPS (acronym for Black American Princesses/Princes). Anisha, Kristen, Gina and Jason were there with family and friends for the exclusive sneak preview. I’m sure they were beaming with joy as they watched the folks file in, probably expecting the best as they waited for reactions and questions following the show. Festival attendees were lined up almost half the length of the convention center to see the second screening of the day for the pilot episode. But once the screening started, it was all bad in more ways than one. About 15 minutes in there was a mass exodus of folks leaving the screening that almost rivaled the crowd coming in to New Orleans. I’m sorry, but it’s true. I’ll bet folks haven’t rushed towards an exit in a screening so quickly since BAPS the movie. What? The unforgiving editors shed them in the worst light possible – especially for them to be from “a certain pedigree.” They provided drama and conflict from start to finish. When the lights came up, only the family and friends remained and a few folks stayed for the show Q&A only to voice their disgust. The cast says that the drama was to reel the audience in for the first episode and they will enjoy positive narratives as the season progresses. Now for those who love drama, shade (and I know plenty of y’all do from our feeds during Love and Hip Hop and Real Housewives nights) you would get your life with the acquired taste of their uppity STL flavor.