Key and Peele: Chappelle's heirs apparent
Just as King James and Kobe Bryant assumed the Michael Jordan's throne, Key & Peele have taken Chappelle's mantle
Ever since Dave Chappelle walked away from his hit Comedy Central show in 2005, apparently leaving $50 million on the table, fans have been clamoring for a show that generates consistent laughs, makes keen social observations, delivers sharp satire, and launches hilarious catch phrases.
That show has arrived: "Key and Peele", a sketch comedy show on Comedy Central stars "MADtv" alumni Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele.
Whereas "Chappelle's Show" was brash and in-your-face, a look into the comic's conflicted, scathing, twisted psyche, "Key and Peele" are served well by a wealth of sketch experience developed on "MADtv." Their sketch concepts are more refined, their production value is sharper, and their rapport is reminiscent of some of the greatest comedy duos from Farley & Spade to Cheech & Chong to Martin & Lewis to the Smothers Brothers to Laurel & Hardy to Abbot & Costello.
They tackle issues with aplomb—pushing boundaries, but never losing sight of the comedy nuggets to be mined from the material. Here, they handle the media trope of the "Magical Negro":
Dueling Magical Negros from Peter Atencio on Vimeo.
Here's sample of some of K&P's best sketches taking aim at a wide swath of issues: