theGrio’s 100: Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, the dynamic comedy duo
theGRIO's 100 - Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are both former members of Madtv, but are best known as the stars of Comedy Central’s 'Key and Peele' show...
Who are Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele?
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are both former members of MADtv, but are best known as the stars of Comedy Central’s Key and Peele show, which features a wide variety of sketches starring the two actors, performed in front of a live studio audience.
Keegan-Michael Key got his start in comedy at Second City Detroit, and later moved on to their Chicago company where he received acclaim for his writing and performance. While still in Chicago, Key made several TV appearances, starring in Fox’s MADtv for six seasons, and scoring reoccurring roles on shows like RENO 911! and Gary Unmarried.
Originally hailing from New York, Jordan Peele later moved to Chicago, where he performed at both Second City Chicago and iO Chicago (formerly known as ImprovOlympic). Peele then crossed the pond to Amsterdam to work with Boom Chicago Theater, but was lured back to the States by a starring role on five seasons of MADtv.
The Key and Peele show debuted January 2012 on Comedy Central, and was renewed for a second season which premiered in September 2012.
Why are Key and Peele on theGrio’s 100?
Key and Peele’s show examines life in a provocative and unapologetic way. Whether they’re spoofing the president, satirizing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, Key & Peele showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view.
During an interview with theGrio only days prior to President Obama’s re-election, Key and Peele put their improvisation skills to the test when asked to predict how the majority of African-Americans would respond to an Obama loss.
“It would be a disheartening thing,” Peele said. “It would be like ‘Really? Ya’ll chose [Romney] who you don’t even know what he represents over [Obama] who’s been working very very hard and made so much progress?’”
What’s next for Key and Peele?
In November 2012, Comedy Central announced that the duo would return for a third season of their hit show. “Since Obama won re-election, it only seems fair that we would give Key & Peele another season,” Comedy Central head of original programming and production Kent Alterman said.
Follow Keegan-Michael Key on Twitter @KeeganMKey
Follow Jodan Peele on Twitter @JordanPeele
