85 South
85 South
May 8, 2026

KARLOUS' COOK OUT W/ MALIK S. & JUSTIN WHITEHEAD | 85 SOUTH SHOW

YouTube · cWqhB6ez0oY

Quick Read

The 85 South crew and guests Malik S. and Justin Whitehead dive into the evolving landscape of fame, the challenges of privacy, and hilariously recount personal mishaps, from botched cologne heists to relationship dynamics and the art of cooking.
Global stardom is harder to achieve in the saturated digital age.
Entertainers sacrifice privacy, facing constant public scrutiny.
Protecting personal peace means choosing what information to engage with.

Summary

The 85 South Show hosts, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, and DC Young Fly, are joined by comedians Malik S. and Justin Whitehead for a wide-ranging, comedic discussion. They reflect on the "good old days" of comedy before social media, contrasting it with the modern, saturated content landscape and its impact on global stardom. The conversation also covers the loss of privacy for public figures, the nuances of "cancel culture," and personal anecdotes about relationships, the importance of self-care, and the unexpected joys of cooking.
This episode offers a raw, comedic look at the realities of the entertainment industry, the challenges of maintaining privacy in the digital age, and the importance of personal well-being. It provides relatable insights into human relationships and the value of self-awareness, all delivered with the signature humor of the 85 South Show.

Takeaways

  • The digital age's content saturation makes global superstardom (like Michael Jackson's) nearly impossible due to fragmented audience attention.
  • Entertainers must accept a complete loss of privacy, as every public action can be scrutinized and misinterpreted.
  • "Cancel culture" is less impactful on independent artists without corporate sponsors, as their audience remains loyal.
  • Protecting one's peace involves consciously avoiding information that causes unnecessary stress, especially in relationships.
  • Cooking and physical activity (like walking) serve as essential mental therapy and contribute to long-term well-being.

Insights

1The Shifting Landscape of Global Stardom

The hosts argue that the internet and content saturation have made it impossible for artists to achieve the truly global, universally recognized fame of past legends like Bob Marley or Michael Jackson. Audiences are too fragmented across numerous platforms and niches.

We won't see that no more cuz it's so many pockets of you know like you could be on TV right now and five nights a week people don't know who the hell you are. Back in the day if you was on TV everybody knew who you were.

2The Inevitable Loss of Privacy for Entertainers

Success in entertainment comes with the expectation of sacrificing personal privacy, leading to constant public scrutiny and potential misinterpretation of private moments.

You want to be successful and as a entertainer, you got to give up a little bit of your privacy. ... You just trying to run in CVS to grab some but you got to take 10 pictures or you a [__] and you got to be your your 5m minute trip didn't turn to an hour.

3"Cancel Culture" and Corporate Sponsorship

"Cancel culture" primarily affects artists with corporate backing, as sponsors are quick to withdraw support. Independent artists, however, are more insulated as their audience's loyalty is to them directly, not to external brands.

I'm not because I realize, dude, the people who want to cancel you, they weren't rocking with you. ... if you're not a corporate guy, if you don't have corporate sponsors, you can't be cancelled.

4The Art of Cooking as a Skill and Expression

Cooking is presented as a valuable life skill and a form of art, especially in the context of Southern hospitality and entertaining.

I always had my own crib. So, I had a long time to cultivate the [__] that I'm good at. ... I make some great hot dogs. And then we go get some we'll have some sllo with that. And then it's that's just magnificent right there.

5The Mental Benefits of Physical Activity

Regular exercise, even simple walking, is highlighted as a crucial form of therapy and mental escape, offering a temporary reprieve from daily stresses.

You know what the gym like for me? Real real [__] The gym is like, you know, y'all know y'all comes, you know, you know, no matter what you going through when you get on that stage, it's gone. ... So, it's not even so much a physical thing for me. It's a It's a mental thing, too.

Bottom Line

The discussion around "body count" and past relationships reveals a societal discomfort with acknowledging a partner's sexual history, especially for men, leading to a preference for ignorance or outright lies to "protect one's peace."

So What?

This highlights a persistent double standard and insecurity in relationship dynamics, where perceived sexual experience can be a source of judgment despite personal histories.

Impact

Content creators or relationship coaches could explore this psychological barrier, promoting open communication and self-acceptance regarding sexual pasts, or conversely, catering to the desire for curated narratives in dating.

The hosts' detailed recollection of past comedy venues (Dugans, Frozen Palace) and the ability to earn significant money ($600-$1000 a night) in Atlanta's local scene years ago, contrasted with the current landscape.

So What?

This points to a potential decline in local, grassroots entertainment economies, possibly due to increased competition from digital platforms or changing audience habits, making it harder for emerging artists to build a local following and income.

Impact

Entrepreneurs could explore revitalizing local comedy scenes with unique venue concepts, community-focused events, or hybrid models that integrate digital promotion with live performance, leveraging nostalgia for "the good old days."

Opportunities

Independent Streaming Platform for Comedians

Following Louis CK's model, comedians can create and host their specials on personal websites or niche platforms, bypassing corporate gatekeepers and retaining more control and revenue.

Source: Discussion about Louis CK's post-cancellation strategy.

Curated "Black Market" for Entrepreneurs

A platform or segment within a larger media entity (like the 85 South Show) where small business owners can promote their ventures, receive advice, and connect with a broad audience.

Source: Carlos Miller's segment promoting the "black market" on their website.

Key Concepts

The Saturated Market Effect

The idea that an abundance of content and platforms dilutes individual reach, making universal fame (like past icons) unattainable.

Privacy as a Commodity

For entertainers, privacy is a trade-off for success, and its loss is an expected cost.

Protect Your Peace

A personal philosophy advocating for selective engagement with information and situations to maintain mental and emotional well-being.

Lessons

  • Prioritize self-care and physical activity, even simple daily walks, for mental and physical well-being.
  • Be selective about the information you consume and the arguments you engage in to protect your mental peace.
  • For aspiring entertainers, understand that global superstardom is a different game now; focus on building a loyal niche audience.

Notable Moments

A guest recounts taking two "crackheads" to the mall to steal cologne for him, only for them to get caught, leading to his own arrest when he went looking for them.

A humorous, self-deprecating anecdote illustrating poor decision-making and the unexpected consequences of illicit activities, highlighting a past "street" mentality.

A former employee of the hosts misinterpreted a "no trucks" sign in a rental car garage, attempting to back up an SUV because he thought it applied to all large vehicles.

A comedic example of a lack of common sense or critical thinking, leading to an absurd situation and the employee's eventual dismissal, emphasizing the importance of practical intelligence.

One host describes a past sexual encounter where his partner giggled during sex, causing him to immediately lose interest and end the encounter.

A candid and humorous insight into personal preferences and the unexpected things that can "kill the mood" during intimate moments, highlighting the fragility of sexual chemistry.

A host claims he was pulled over in Hollywood, California, with a loaded gun in his car (which is illegal without a California permit), and after the police ran the gun's serial number, they let him go, attributing it to his deceased praying grandmother's influence.

A highly improbable and comedic story that blends personal belief with a lucky escape from legal trouble, showcasing a lighthearted approach to serious situations and cultural references to spiritual protection.

Quotes

"

"You can protect your peace. You have to cuz you don't know what they going to do."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"We won't see that no more cuz it's so many pockets of you know like you could be on TV right now and five nights a week people don't know who the hell you are."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"If you want to be successful and as a entertainer, you got to give up a little bit of your privacy."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"Man, don't believe nothing you hear about people on the internet. Especially famous people."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"I'm not because I realize, dude, the people who want to cancel you, they weren't rocking with you."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"I ain't going to say been around the block, but she know where the store is."

Unknown (Host/Guest)
"

"People don't realize how much walking can make a difference in your life, dog."

Unknown (Host/Guest)

Q&A

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