85 South Show: Building a Comedy Empire with No Script & No Filter

The 85 South Show's Improv Comedy Approach

• 🎭 The 85 South Show thrives on pure improvisation, likening their live performances to "the habachi of comedy" where they cook up material on the spot.
• 🎤 They emphasize that their shows are unique experiences, never repeating the same performance twice, and that the audience is an integral part of the improvisational process.
• 🤝 The crew highlights their strong brotherhood and chemistry, which allows them to bounce off each other and create a dynamic, engaging show.

Building an Independent Media Empire

• 🚀 85 South transitioned from free content on platforms like YouTube to their own paid platform, Channel 85, to gain control over their audience and monetization.
• 💰 They took a significant risk by moving content behind a paywall after years of providing it for free, believing in their audience's willingness to support their work.
• 📈 The team focuses on continuous improvement, upgrading equipment and production quality to demonstrate progression and justify the subscription model.

Business Acumen and Lessons Learned

• 💡 The 85 South crew learned valuable business lessons from their time in corporate entertainment, understanding what to avoid and how to navigate industry pitfalls.
• 🤝 They foster a culture of ownership and freedom for talent within their fold, extending the same principles they value themselves.
• 💼 Lessons from lawsuits, contracts, and industry politics are shared, emphasizing the importance of good business practices and strong relationships.

The Grind of Content Creation and Touring

• 🌍 The 85 South crew travels extensively, viewing each tour stop as a new experience and a blessing, driven by the fun and the connection with their audience.
• 🛠️ Beyond the stage, their work involves numerous offstage responsibilities, including auditioning, voice-over work, business meetings, and logistics.
• 🌟 They draw inspiration from mentors like Nick Cannon, who exemplified hard work and dedication, even during challenging times like showering at Salvation Army during early tours.

Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth

• 🧠 Chico Bean discusses his perspective on modern relationships, emphasizing self-understanding and non-traditional approaches over societal expectations.
• ✈️ Karlous Miller shares his experience of traveling to Ghana for personal grieving and finding peace, highlighting the importance of self-discovery.
• 🗣️ The conversation touches on the pressure of being seen as a source of solutions, with people often approaching them with personal problems and financial requests.

The Evolution of Comedy and Media Consumption

• 📱 The rise of independent media and direct-to-consumer platforms has changed the landscape, allowing creators to bypass traditional gatekeepers.
• 📈 The discussion touches on the increasing adoption of Bitcoin and AI technologies like ChatGPT, reflecting their growing influence and integration into daily life.
• 🎤 The comedians reflect on the competitive nature of the comedy world, attributing beef to limited resources and ego, but emphasizing their focus on their own journey and supporting others.