'Bama State Style' showcases Marching Hornets

If the audience at the advanced screening of "Bama State Style" is any indication, there's going to be a lot of clapping and laughing in Montgomery for the next several Fridays.

The reality show follows the Mighty Marching Hornets of Alabama State University, showcasing the marching band as well as the accompanying dancers the Stingettes and the Honey Beez. The students got a chance to see themselves on screen Thursday during a private screening at the J.G. Hardy Student Center Ballroom — ahead of tonight's premiere at 10 p.m. on the Lifetime Network.

The show was met with applause at the scenes, laughter at the comments and a standing ovation for the cornerstone of the show, Director of Bands James Oliver.

"It was good to watch as a group," Oliver said. "The laughing, the seriousness — it was amazing."

Oliver had previously seen all eight episodes of the series, but felt like he was seeing it for the first time while watching with the students.

"I could feel their vibe, it was an exciting moment," he said.

Contract negotiations keep those involved from discussing specific plot points of the show, but an episode guide on mylifetime.com describes the premiere episode with the following: "Meet Alabama State University's famous Mighty Marching Hornets — the esteemed marching band known throughout the collegiate world for their amazing mashups and dance collaboration with Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke at the MTV Video Music Awards. The season begins as five candidates audition for the season's top position: Head Drum Major. Meanwhile, the gorgeous Stingettes and the plus-sized Honey Beez kick off their seasons with a bang."

Bruce McDonald II, a senior majoring in criminal justice, said it was "exciting" to see himself on the screen. McDonald had time talking directly to the camera during the show, and said recalling those scenes were "nerve-wracking."

"I didn't want to say anything that could come back and get me," he said with a laugh.

Ray Martin, a junior majoring in accounting, was also on screen and remembered the presence of the cameras.

"They were on top of everything," he said.

Martin said he felt that watching the episode as a group was "the right way to do it."

"We did it together so we should watch it together," he said.

Oliver said he is looking forward to audiences getting to see the show and hopes the ratings reflect a growing audience.

"It could possibly give us a second show, which could bring more funding into our program," he said.

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