Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele make their mark on Comedy Central with the new half-hour sketch comedy show “Key & Peele,” debuting on Tuesday, January 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, following the fourth season premiere of “Tosh.0.” Key and Peele are best known for their impressive ability to do improv, conjure up original characters and celebrity impressions.
In this new series, these fresh, relevant comedic actor-writers, used to being on the outside looking in, will examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, through a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments. Whether it’s satirizing the President, spoofing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, “Key & Peele” will showcase their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.
The premiere episode features Key and Peele as two browbeaten husbands who lie to each other in a game of one-upmanship, which leads into shorts that parody Lil’ Wayne rapping from jail about how he’s the baddest motherf*&ker around, but is constantly getting stabbed by the other much tougher inmates; an Obama sketch where Peele impersonates the President and Key plays his “anger translator” to show that Obama does lose his cool at times; and “Gideon’s Kitchen” a reality cooking competition where the head chef is impossible to read.
Keegan-Michael Key was a member of Second City Detroit’s main stage cast as well as the Second City Chicago the e.t.c. theatre, where he wrote and performed shows “Holy War,” “Batman!” and “Curious George Goes to War“ for which he won several Joseph Jefferson Awards (which honor excellence in Chicago theater). While still in Chicago, Keegan was hired as a regular on Fox’s “MADtv,” which he starred in for six seasons. He dazzled the audience with original characters including Coach Hines, Eugene Struthers and Jovan Muskatelle; and his celebrity impressions including Dennis Rodman and Snoop Dogg. Additionally, Keegan recurred as the ‘Theoretical Criminal’ on Comedy Central’s “RENO 911!” and was a series regular on CBS’s “Gary Unmarried” playing Jay Mohr’s best friend ‘Curtis.’ His guest star credits include NBC’s “ER“ and “Love Bites,” Adult Swim’s “Children’s Hospital,” and FX’s “The League.”
A former “MADtv” alum, Jordan Peele was a series regular for five seasons. There he impressed the audience with original characters including Dontel LaMontrose, Noodles the Krumper and Melvin Dufrane; and celebrity impressions including Montel Williams, Forest Whittaker, President Obama and Morgan Freeman. In 2008, Jordan received an Emmy® nomination for his music video “Sad Fitty Cent.” Jordan presently recurs as ‘Dr. Brian’ on Adult Swim’s “Children’s Hospital” and has appeared on Comedy Central’s “RENO 911!” and “Chocolate News,” and NBC’s “Love Bites.”
Key & Peele | January 2012 | |||
Sneak Peek – Phone Call | ||||
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