85 South Ghetto Legends Review: Directed by Stan Lathan, known for his work with Dave Chappelle: Sticks and Stones, this special stars DC Young Fly, Chico Bean and Karlous Miller, with special guests like Rich Homie Quan and Goodie Mobb. The comedy show was produced by Ryan Pham. Rikki Hughes is the executive producer of the special, which Jeff U’Ren edited. Jonathan ‘JR’ Reid serves as the director of photography, while Bruce Ryan serves as the production designer.
– The 85 South Ghetto Legends Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Since this was marketed as a freestyle comedy special, I was expecting an ensemble, some music, calling out strangers for their odd fashion choices or idiosyncrasies. Essentially, a show like Freestyle Love Supreme would host. However, right out of the gate, they opened with blatant sexism and objectification of the female body. If that wasn’t enough, they continued to make someone else’s body at the centre to appeal to viewers.
This had already put me off because they had already started with something so old and unfunny. It was truly concerning. Unsurprisingly, it did not get better. Honestly, it was like watching a couple of people talking to each other like they were at lunch. This is the table you listen to and turn around to make sure you weren’t hearing what they said wrong. At least the production design was done incredibly well. Whoever designed the set has done a brilliant job of making all the pieces tactile.
Even the band members were incredibly talented, especially the violin player, who was doing her solo with incredible gusto. This was when Miller stepped in to take over, but Fly was on the other side, removing his hoodie because he was feeling hot. Cue the onslaught of jokes about his body. Once again, the improv could have been so much better. Maybe the performers should have something planned. At least, some talking points before they walk on stage.
Even the rap is so lazy and filled with convenient writing that it makes no sense with the theme of the show, if there even is one. Unlike most comedy specials that have a central theme or foundational question that it addresses, this one has none except for arguing what areas come into Atlanta, just like Bangaloreans complain about Whitefield not being a part of the city. Moving on to the guest stars, it was at least nice to see one of them bring some talent on stage. They had a good flow, came on and entertained the crowd.
However, it still doesn’t make sense why they were actually there. The audience was having too much fun for something that looked like a school assembly. This whole vibe reached a pinnacle when the performers took to each side of the stage and decided to lead some chant against the other two sides. It was like watching an awkward cult interaction. Moreover, the thing that really makes this show so unreasonable is the fact that their second special guest came on five minutes before the show ended.
85 South Ghetto Legends Review: Final Thoughts
This show definitely had the potential to be good because there were some jokes and moments that were hilarious enough to gauge that if the entirety of the show were like that, then it would have actually been fun to watch. I suggest people don’t watch this because it is an hour of just watching three people talk while they grasp at straws trying to deliver something funny.
There is so much swearing in this show that it actually replaces any productive writing that would have happened on stage. In case anyone still wants to hate-watch it, they can carry their own friend group to replicate all the awkward moments. No one should be subject to this alone. If repetitive jokes, some incredibly problematic humour and lazy writing are something you would enjoy, then this special is definitely for them. It would work perfectly if viewers reached a level of inebriation where everything is funny.
What did you think of this freestyle comedy special? Did you enjoy the improv? Let us know in the comments below.
85 South Ghetto Legends is currently streaming on Netflix.
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I was so disappointed in the special, I turned of the TV and went back and watched something else. One thing that crossed my mind was, this was filmed before DC Young fly lost his lovely partner. So his smiles were authentic. But this was horrible.
ABSOLUTELY!!! Treat a fan soo poorly ..
& right in front t of her man?! There would have been fists & lawyers involved if I were that dude that just let it go on!!! There’s lots of “offensive” comedy that I love. This was instead humiliation & seismic towards a fan & her “man.” Shame on Netflix & anyone making it viewable worldwide!!!
This was the ABSOLUTE WORST comedy show ever! The band was the only highlight of this ridiculous show! The comedians were not funny at all and the jokes were lame as hell. The comedy show was more like 85 South: NO TALENT LEGENDS!
And clearly none of y’all are real 85%ers!!! I bet none of y’all (including whoever wrote this wack review) have even watched ANY of the 85 South Shows before!! Do your research first and find out about these young black men and their craft!!! Just like sensitive society to shove their opinions out there without knowing anything about what you’re talking about!
It was trash! Period. Every joke, even the insults were poorly done. At least it was free to watch
Wow this was really stupid. Justvtrash mouth people
What does that have to do with anything? You don’t have to have seen the others. We are talking about this show. Which in my opinion the content was not funny to me. It was a couple of moments that were funny. My daughter actually went to one of their shows and seen them live 4 yrs. ago and she loved the show. She saw the show on Netflix, and she said she didn’t like it. That the content was not funny to her.as well.
What does that have to do with anything? You don’t have to have seen the others. We are talking about this show. Which in my opinion the content was not funny to me. It was a couple of moments that were funny. My daughter actually went to one of their shows and seen them live 4 yrs. ago and she loved the show. She saw the show on Netflix, and she said she didn’t like it. That the content was not funny to her.as well.
They stayed true to who they were. If you don’t like the style of comedy, or are too sensitive to laugh at JOKES then don’t watch. If you’ve watched them before then you’d know this was right on brand for them. It may not have been the funniest out of all of their live shows but, it definitely wasn’t bad.i promise anybody who watches The 85 South Show/Channel 85 on a consistent basis knew exactly what they were getting & were more than pleased with the quality of product that was produced. This is exactly why I was personally uneasy about them branching out on an angenda pandering platform like Netflix. I guess it doesn’t matter at the end of the day though, those guys got a check & remained authentic to themselves & their very own niche of comedy that they’ve built. I’m happy for those guys & I wish even greater success.
The show was trash ????
Beyond trash these homies have never been talented to begin w8th band rocked love ghetto just not this ghetto and making fun of women dog for real
Well obviously, based on this review, you just don’t get it. I am saying this because you have issues with the legit structure of the show. This proves you aren’t familiar. That said, as an 85 south show fan, THIS was not organic and thus, the jokes fell flat. I blame the director not the talent. It was obvious that the beginning of the show about what’s Atlanta wand what’s not was a poor directive/writing attempt. Perhaps even an execution issue. I’ll give you that. This is NOT one of their best showings for sure. Their normal shows are usually around 2 plus hours, so they have more time to settle into their audience and get a legit vibe going. They only had an hour here. The type of jokes they are doing is called “playing the dozens” and is a CULTURAL affect that you simply just have not experienced before. So, this reviews is based in over all ignorance, I appreciate and accept your objective viewpoint as an outsider though.
You set that up to essentially agree with the reviewer. LOL
There is no research necessary. If you put out a comedy show RULE #1 is be funny. This was just 3 guys playing the dozens and it was VERY hard to watch! Some of yall just say you like stuff because you are from there, but that doesnt make it funny. Im not from DC but Dave Chappelle is still funny as hell and so is Earthquake. Katt Williams aint from OKC but he funny. Funny is funny and you cant manufacture it just because you are from a specific region!
Na, I love their original 85south show. I’ve been a fan since before Karlous was on wildnout. But lets be real,
this Netflix show was wack. I only watched it till the end to see if it got good. It never did.
ooooor as someone who’s seen them live, and enjoyed them on WnO, y’all can just accept this L and move on. How is one shoving an opinion of a special we were all able to see and judge for ourselves? You liked it but clearly so many of us didn’t AND WHILE I HAVE YOU, why do so many of our people want to say “do your research” when the opinion is opposite of yours? Not everyone will like everything. The fact you commented on something at 6:50 am calling another review sensitive is more comical than the ghetto legends show and thats on “.”
This bitch don’t even know what 85 show is and don’t even know nun bout the culture just hating on black folks 7/11 smelly ass bitch suck my black dick
Research?? For a COMEDY special????? Bwwahhahahhahaha!!!!!!!! This comment is funnier than any content in the special!!! It was bad even without the “sensitive” people. Real bad.
Whettt??? The culture does not approve lol
Went to the show in Tampa, paid for the VIP MEET AND GREET. A Waste of money they were unorganized, did not get any vip merchandise and they took photos of all of the guests with vip tickets. But did not send me one photo I took at the meet and greet but photos of people who I have no idea who they are. I emailed them and they have yet to reply. I want my money back if you can’t deliver a quality product or service then you should not advertise for it! This was the worst meet and greet I have ever paid for!
It was awful. Glad to know it wasn’t just me. Maybe it was an off night.