'Key and Peele' Recap: 2/21/12

I may sound like a broken record, but I’ll take that criticism for this new episode of Key and Peele. With continuations of jokes from previous episodes and jokes from within the episode, Key and Peele are only showing how much comic genius will come from their first season.

This episode was packed and started off with Key and Peele planning to rob a bank, only to have Peele inform Key that his plan is only to work at a bank and receive retirement benefits after many years of service. The stand-up then continued by talking about college movies, and the differences between white college movies and black college movies. Within their joke was a major social commentary about blacks continuing their education; for white people, going to college is a fact and they are able to mess around; for blacks, it is a constant struggle to go and stay in college. The difference in representation of the white/black college experience is one they point out. They follow this up with a cautionary tale to those in Greek life, after Key accidentally brands Peele with their letters clearly in the shape of a penis.

The next sketch was not my favorite, but still had the flavor of Key and Peele’s humor. It featured two white newsmen looking for a story in a predominantly black neighborhood. Looking to stir up trouble, they come up with the idea that there was a sighting of Pegasus, a mythical horse with wings, around the neighborhood. The ensuing footage is of the entire neighborhood concerned and talking about the alleged sighting, and how these newsmen were now profiting from a completely false story that instigated a riot.

But the episode moved on after that, with a new conversation about Mel Gibson and his unabashed use of derogatory words. Everyone remembers the leaked messages that Gibson left to his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, where he said (and I quote), “…and if you get raped by a pack of (N-word), it will be your fault.” Of course, Key and Peele had more than one grievance with his word choice, but their main concern was his use of “pack.” As the banter begins, they think of other words other than pack that could have been used. Besides the obvious, the use of "pack" only added to the racism he exhibited. This wonderful piece of banter was followed by the introduction of new app “The Negraph” that lets you know whether you’re allowed to use the N-word to avoid social mishaps.

This sketch was followed by the laugh-out-loud sketch of the week. Key’s character invites his cousin, played by Peele, to play a variation of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. Completely ignoring the rules of the fantasy rules and the direction of the Dungeon master, Peele’s only object is getting “money and bitches.” Soon, each friend falls into line with Peele, drinking alizé and robbing hobbits. What made the sketch so funny was the contrast of Peele’s eager voice, seeking to construct a fantasy world, and Key adamantly seeking “bitches.” Eventually, Key’s character gives up, and leaves his cousin and friends to their quest for “titties.”

Moving away from comments on race, Key and Peele discuss the repercussions of their newfound fame. They talk about the same guy that recognizes them on the street that "ideally" would like to work with them despite never having met them before. A sketch followed this discussion where one man sees how old friends come out of the woodwork to cash in on his fame, only to leave when it goes. It seemed that Key and Peele were simply comparing notes about the new experiences that this show has brought them. It only shows how their stand-up part of their show is truly growing into something much funnier.

In Obama’s weekly presidential address with his anger translator, Luther, the topic of the next presidential race comes up. While Peele lists many accomplishments that he completed during his time as president, Luther seems to fixate on the fact it was under the Obama administration that Osama Bin Laden was killed. While this sketch at first seemed flat, it was saved by the continuation of “The Negraph.” This unsuspecting addition to their signature sketch was the funny moment of this week’s episode.

The episode ended with a penis joke, born out of the fact (pointed out by Key) that they do not have street credit. As Peele tries unsuccessfully to rap, it turns out he was singing the theme song to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, causing Key to laugh. The video was then a rap music video about the experience of one “Incredible Mack.” While the audience knows this will be another character Peele wishes to create, his song became truly funny when it is revealed he was “shot in the dick.” This cringe-worthy injury gets the last laugh of another hilarious Key and Peele.