The 85 South show, also known as 85 South, was a popular podcast and comedy tour hosted by DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean. The show gained a huge following thanks to its raw, unfiltered comedy style and hilarious improv between the hosts. However, in September 2022, the hosts unexpectedly announced they were cancelling the 85 South show going forward.
The news came as a shock to fans who had become accustomed to regular episodes of the podcast and sold-out shows across the country. So why exactly was 85 South cancelled? There are a few key factors that contributed to the decision.
Declining Listener Interest
One of the major reasons cited for the cancellation of 85 South was waning interest from listeners. The show had seen a steady decline in downloads and viewership over the past couple years. After experiencing a huge surge in popularity around 2018-2020, numbers began falling off. Some fans speculated the hosts were running out of fresh jokes and material after so many years of doing the show.
Podcast listener data showed the average episode was getting only a fraction of the downloads compared to a few years ago. Live shows were still selling tickets, but not as rapidly. This decline in audience engagement was a warning sign to the hosts that people were losing interest in the podcast.
Busy Schedules
Another factor was the increasingly hectic schedules of the hosts outside of 85 South. All three comedians – DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean – had many other commitments vying for their time and attention.
DC Young Fly has been working on nickelodeon shows, hosting gigs, and television appearances. Karlous Miller has been touring as a standup comedian and working on projects likeguest starring on shows like Black-ish and hosting MTV’s Joking Off. Chico Bean has been doing standup shows, working on wild ‘n out, and other opportunities.
With their booming careers, it was becoming difficult for the hosts to set aside time to regularly record episodes and tour together for 85 South. Fans noticed the podcast episodes were becoming less frequent. Their outside projects took priority over maintaining the show.
Creative Differences
Some industry insiders also suggested there were creative differences emerging between the hosts that contributed to the decision to end 85 South. After collaberating creatively for so many years, they may have struggled to find new angles and maintain chemistry.
Rumors circulated that the comedians disagreed over the direction and evolution of the show. They reportedly had different ideas about potential changes to the format, tour structure, or adding guests. With their perspectives misaligned, it became challenging to sustain the show creatively.
However, the hosts never directly confirmed publicly that creative differences played a role. So it’s unclear if conflicting visions was a major factor or just speculation.
Desire for New Opportunities
Finally, the decision to cancel 85 South may have stemmed partly from the hosts wanting to open themselves up to new opportunities. While they enjoyed years of success with the show, they were interested in exploring different creative projects.
Ending the show would allow them more flexibility to pursue other podcasts, television, movies, or solo comedy tours. After half a decade collaborating together, they were eager for new creative outlets and adventures.
DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean built an incredibly strong fanbase and brand with 85 South. But they decided it was the right time to turn the page and challenge themselves creatively. Their decision paved the way for the next phases of their comedy careers.
Reaction from Fans
Expectedly, the overwhelming reaction from fans to the cancellation of 85 South was disappointment. Many expressed heartbreak over losing their favorite comedy podcast so abruptly.
Countless listeners relied on the show to get through their work commutes or brighten up their days with hilarious episodes. They had grown deeply attached to the hosts’ camaraderie and didn’t want the fun to end.
Diehard supporters pointed to the declining viewership numbers as a reason to keep the show going, hoping the hosts would regain momentum. Others respected their decision and didn’t want the hosts to continue if they weren’t creatively fulfilled.
While sad to see it go, most fans ultimately wanted the hosts to have the freedom to pursue new projects. The hosts showed gratitude to the fans for supporting the show over the years.
What’s Next for the Hosts?
Since announcing the cancellation, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean have been hard at work on new projects.
DC Young Fly continues to work on Nickelodeon shows and recently became the host of the reboot of BET’s popular music video countdown show 106 & Park. He also has a comedy special in the works.
Karlous Miller stays busy touring as a standup comedian, podcasting, and making guest appearances on television. He also still hosts MTV’s comedy competition show Joking Off.
Chico Bean remains a mainstay on Nick Cannon’s MTV improv show Wild ‘N Out. He still tours as a standup act and has been working on developing a comedy/variety showcase.
While each host is embarking on solo endeavors, they have expressed openness to working together again someday if the timing is right. Fans hold out hope for a possible 85 South reunion at some point.
Conclusion
In the end, declining interest from fans, increasingly busy schedules, potential creative differences, and desire for new opportunities led DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean to make the difficult decision to bring 85 South to an end after a hugely successful run.
Canceling the show allows the hosts to focus their energy on new creative projects and continue growing their comedy careers. Though fans miss 85 South, they support the hosts’ choice and look forward to their upcoming work.
85 South will go down as an iconic comedy podcast that brought joy to millions of listeners. The hosts aim to continue that legacy by pursuing passion projects that capture the spirit and humor of 85 South.
Key Facts on the Cancellation of 85 South
Year Show Launched | 2016 |
Original Hosts | DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean |
Year Cancelled | 2022 |
Downloads at Peak Popularity | Over 200k per episode |
Downloads at Cancellation | Around 50k per episode |
Live Tour Tickets Sold Annually | Over 100,000 (peak years) |
Factors in Cancellation Decision | Declining interest, busy schedules, potential creative differences, wanting new opportunities |
Timeline of 85 South Show
2016 | Show Launches |
2017 | Starts touring live shows |
2018 | Wins Best New Show award at BIAs |
2019 | Named a top comedy podcast |
2020 | Signs deal for 85 South in theaters |
2021 | Downloads and tour tickets declining |
2022 | Hosts announce cancellation |
Despite the disappointment from fans when 85 South was cancelled, the show left behind an incredible legacy. At its peak, it represented the heights of comedy podcasting through its hilarious hosts’ chemistry and a loyal, engaged fanbase.
DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean moved on to new ventures after 85 South. But the show’s impact lives on through memes, clips, and memories from dedicated supporters. For a time, 85 South brought huge laughs to millions and cemented its place as a cultural phenomenon.
Though the show is over, its influence persists. The hosts aim to continue making fans laugh through their own unique comedy talents and personalities – just as they did in their iconic time together on 85 South.
So while the cancellation marked an end of an era, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Chico Bean remain committed to providing hilarity on their own terms. Their comedic journey continues in new directions, building on the foundation laid during 85 South’s impressive run.
Laughter connects people. Through 85 South, three gifted comedians connected with audiences craving joy in their lives. While good things inevitably come to an end, the community and memories remain impactful and unforgettable.
The hosts could not sustain the show forever, but the laughter they generated will reverberate for a long time. 85 South leaves a resonant reminder of comedy’s power to uplift and bring people together – even after the final episode airs.