DC YOUNG FLY & MS. PAT FROM THE SAME HOOD TO HOLLYWOOD | 85 SOUTH SHOW PODCAST | 02.06.26
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The Ms. Pat Show succeeded after multiple network rejections (Fox, Hulu, BET) because of its raw, authentic portrayal of an unconventional Black mother.
- ❖Ms. Pat and her husband maintain a 32-year marriage with separate bedrooms, citing benefits like differing sleep preferences (heat vs. AC) and personal space.
- ❖Ms. Pat acted as her own general contractor for a 20,000 sq ft home, saving 20-30% of the budget by directly managing permits and subcontractors.
- ❖Contractors often inflate permit costs; homeowners can save money by pulling their own permits directly from the county.
- ❖The Atlanta comedy scene evolved from small, diverse venues to a structured grind, with comedians often performing multiple sets across different demographics in one night.
- ❖Ms. Pat's past included selling crack and serving a year in jail, experiences that shaped her perspective and fueled her drive for a better life.
- ❖The concept of 'squatter's rights' in Georgia has shifted, making it quicker for homeowners to remove unauthorized occupants quickly.
Insights
1The Ms. Pat Show's Resilience and Authentic Appeal
Ms. Pat's television show faced significant hurdles, being rejected by Fox and Hulu before landing on BET Plus. Its eventual success, reaching five seasons, is attributed to its 'realness' and its portrayal of a 'mama' character that was previously absent from television—a no-nonsense, street-smart Black mother who smoked weed and was involved in 'business' (drug dealing), challenging traditional, sanitized depictions.
The show was called 'the whore of Hollywood' because 'everybody effed it.' It went from Fox to Hulu, then to BET Plus. BET initially hesitated due to cursing but proceeded after positive test results. Ms. Pat states, 'You never seen it on TV before... they didn't want to acknowledge those types of mama.'
2Unconventional Marriage Structure for Longevity and Peace
After 32 years of marriage, Ms. Pat and her husband maintain separate bedrooms. This arrangement, initiated by Ms. Pat, provides peace and accommodates differing preferences, such as snoring, room temperature (heater vs. AC), and personal habits. She argues it strengthens the relationship by allowing individual space and avoiding petty conflicts.
Ms. Pat states, 'My husband snore really loud... I like the heater on and he... like the air condition on even in the winter time.' She adds, 'It makes a relationship better... I don't have to bathe every night.' She also notes her husband once locked her out of his room.
3Self-Contracting a 20,000 Sq Ft Home to Maximize Budget
Ms. Pat took on the role of general contractor for her 20,000 sq ft home construction, including a pool house and a separate house for her daughter. She saved 20-30% of the budget by directly managing subcontractors and pulling her own permits, which she found were significantly inflated by contractors.
She explains, 'GCs get a percentage of your budget, 20 to 30%... I can upgrade my faucet, my cabinets.' She learned to pull permits herself, noting a pool permit quoted at $1500 actually cost $90, and advising against revealing the true budget as permit prices scale with it.
4The Unseen Grind of the Atlanta Comedy Scene
The early Atlanta comedy scene was characterized by a demanding hustle, with comedians often performing multiple sets across different types of venues in one night. This included starting at 'white rooms' (like Twisted Taco) early in the evening for quick money, then moving to 'black rooms' later at night, sometimes in obscure or makeshift locations.
Carlos Miller mentions, 'We go to white rooms early and then we go to the black rooms at night cuz the white rooms start at .' They recall winning $250-500 in five-minute comedy shootouts and performing in places like a tornado evacuation center or a barn in the woods.
Bottom Line
Homeowners can drastically cut construction costs by acting as their own general contractor and directly managing permits and subcontractors, rather than paying a GC 20-30% of the budget.
This challenges the perception that large-scale construction requires professional GCs, empowering individuals with research and management skills to save hundreds of thousands on projects.
Develop a service or educational platform that guides homeowners through the process of pulling permits, vetting subcontractors, and managing construction projects, leveraging Miss Pat's anecdotal success.
The legal landscape around 'squatter's rights' is dynamic, with recent changes in Georgia making it quicker for homeowners to remove unauthorized occupants, contrasting with previous lengthy eviction processes.
This impacts property owners and investors by reducing the risk and cost associated with vacant properties, potentially encouraging more investment in real estate.
Create a legal tech solution or a specialized real estate service focused on rapid squatter removal and property protection, particularly in states with evolving laws like Georgia.
Opportunities
DIY Home Construction & Permit Navigation Platform
An online platform or service that educates homeowners on how to act as their own general contractor, including guides for pulling permits, finding and vetting subcontractors, managing budgets, and understanding local building codes. It could offer templates for contracts and a community forum for support.
Authenticity-Focused TV/Content Development Studio
A production company specializing in creating content that features 'real' and often overlooked narratives, particularly within diverse communities. The studio would prioritize authentic character portrayals over sanitized versions, aiming to fill market gaps identified by shows like 'The Ms. Pat Show'.
Lessons
- Challenge traditional norms in your personal life and career; sometimes, the unconventional path (e.g., separate bedrooms, self-contracting) leads to greater peace and success.
- Investigate and understand permit processes yourself when undertaking large projects; contractors often inflate costs, and direct engagement can save significant money.
- Embrace and leverage your authentic self and experiences in your creative or professional endeavors; 'realness' can resonate deeply with an audience and drive unique success.
- Cultivate resilience against rejection; Miss Pat's show was dropped by multiple networks before finding success, highlighting the importance of persistence and belief in your vision.
Notable Moments
Ms. Pat details her husband locking her out of his separate bedroom, highlighting the humor and unique dynamics of their unconventional marriage.
This moment encapsulates the candid and often humorous nature of their relationship, showcasing how they navigate personal space and independence within a long-term marriage.
Ms. Pat recounts her experience of being locked up at Kennedy Middle School's welfare office for a probation violation related to selling crack, emphasizing the systemic connection between welfare and law enforcement in the past.
This provides a stark, personal account of the harsh realities of her past and the challenges faced by individuals in impoverished communities, illustrating her journey of survival and eventual transformation.
Quotes
"I used to call my show the whore of Hollywood because everybody effed it."
"Marriage is just a piece of paper that make you hard to get out of this shit."
"I'm not going to give you that. I can upgrade my faucet, my cabinets, and stuff like that."
"You going to leave me to find a better hoe and then you going to realize that you didn't find a better hoe. You just found another hoe."
"Ain't no such thing as a new hoe. It's another one."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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