Mary Lou Belli, veteran director and executive producer, has earned her fourth Emmy nomination for directing "Give It a Rest," an episode of Paramount+'s "The Ms. Pat Show" Season 5. The series, based on comedian Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams's life as a former drug dealer turned suburban mother, blends broad comedy with social commentary and emotional depth, a combination Belli says makes it stand out on television. Belli, who had built a reputation as an action director after 125 sitcom episodes, initially had no plans to return to multi-camera comedy until the show's authenticity won her over.

In the interview, Belli credits the show's impact to its mix of physical comedy, political and social commentary, and what the team calls a "Ms. Pat moment" – a sudden heartfelt beat amid the laughs, which she compares to Whoopi Goldberg's early stage work. She recalls being drawn in by the pilot, directed by Debbie Allen, likening its boldness to Norman Lear's "All in the Family." Belli also touches on her extensive career, including 12 series shot in Atlanta, and offers hints about what lies ahead for Season 6.