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keegan michael key

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Pick of the Day: Keegan-Michael Key & Elle Key: The History of Sketch Comedy (in NYC & LA) 10/3 & 10/6

August 30, 2023
News
elle key, greenlight bookstore, history of sketch comedy, keegan michael key, los angeles comedy, nyc comedy

While there are many a book covering the history and experience of Saturday Night Live, the entirety of sketch comedy goes far beyond the late night sketch institution. In fact, most books that you’d find in the humor section of your local book store have little to do with the world of sketch comedy as it’s mostly comprised of memoirs of stand-up comedians or comedic actors. There isn’t much when it comes to the “history of sketch comedy”, which is why Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key of Key & Peele fame have written/compiled an entire book on the subject, complete with chats with Mel Brooks, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jordan Peele, Chris Rock, and John Oliver.

The title gets straight to the point: The History of Sketch Comedy (due out on Oct. 3rd). The Keys will be doing an exclusive in-person event at Symphony Space in NYC to celebrate the release of their book on Tues. Oct. 3rd at 8PM. For LA, they’ll be at Barnes & Noble at The Grove on Fri. Oct. 6th at 7PM.

You can (and should) go get your tickets here for NYC starting at $42 and here for LA for $36.43, then go binge a bunch of your all time favorite sketches in preparation for this. The purchase of a ticket includes a hardbound copy of The History of Sketch Comedy (in case you thought the ticket price was a bit up there).

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 34: Morgan Jay & Going Boffo on Zoom

November 18, 2020
News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report
conan, history of sketch comedy, judd apatow, keegan michael key, livestream comedy, morgan jay, zoom comedy

At the top of 2020, Morgan Jay was riding high off of his network TV appearances on Bring the Funny, playing colleges across the country, and being set to make a run at the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. COVID-19, of course, put a full stop to all of that, but that didn’t hold Jay back from still making this a banner year.

Jay zooms with TCB’s Jake Kroeger on how he spent considerable time and money to fine tuning his live-streamed performances to the best that they could be and how that very quickly evolved into a very steady flow of corporate Zoom gigs and what Jay envisions for how live-streaming will continue to figure into the future of comedy. Also, “hot” takes on Conan’s exit from late night, The History of Sketch Comedy with Keegan-Michael Key, Judd Apatow’s meta quarantine movie.

Follow Morgan Jay @TheMorganJay on Twitter and  @morganjay on IG and visit MorganJay.com

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).
Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Keegan-Michael Key Will Be Taking Us All Through “The History of Sketch Comedy” Next Year

November 16, 2020
News
audible, comedy history, history of sketch comedy, keegan michael key, key and peele

When it comes to the history of comedy, so much of it is and has been dedicated to stand-up comedy. Yet, as you’d hopefully know, stand-up is only one facet of the art form. Sketch comedy also has a wide and wild history that is very deserving of an extensive and deep retrospective. Sure, SNL gets debated over plenty and there are documentaries and books on the likes of Kids in the Hall and even the doomed The Dana Carvey Show.

Yet, the entire expanse of sketch comedy needs a Ken Burns level of attention to detail and that’s what it’ll get with upcoming Audible audio series, The History of Sketch Comedy, that will be narrated and co-written by none other than Keegan-Michael Key, a sketch comedy icon in his own right just from being Obama’s Anger Translator alone. Key, along with co-writer/director Elle Key, will journey through all of sketch comedy’s past, from 16th century to now, over ten half-hour episodes.

If you are or someone you care about is obsessed with sketch comedy, you might want to get an Audible subscription as and early holiday gift as The History of Sketch Comedy will get an exclusive Audible release on Jan. 28th, 2021.

Photo by Cliff Lipson

Pick of the Day: Thrilling Adventure Hour 5/23

May 21, 2020
News
autumn reeser, busy philipps, janet varney, keegan michael key, marc evan jackson, mark proksch, nathan fillion, paget brewster, paul f tompkins, thrilling adventure hour

Another edition of the beloved old timey radio program, the Thrilling Adventure Hour, is coming around the corner (and their proceeds are, once again, going to benefit food banks across America, for which they’ve raised $50K already). If you’re still unfamiliar, a smashing cast reads a classic 1930s-40s style radio show that’s cleverly and hysterically written by Acker and Blacker.

The WorkJuice Players will all be in attendance including: Paul F. Tompkins, Paget Brewster, Busy Philipps, Joshua Malina, Janet Varney, Hal Lublin, Annie Savage, Craig Cackowski, Mark Gagliardi, Autumn Reeser, and Marc Evan Jackson. Also, the likes of Nathan Fillion, Keegan-Michael Key, and your favorite energy vampire Mark Proksch will be joining in this round of TAH.

This latest Thrilling Adventure Hour is set to stream on this Sat. May 23rd at 5PM PT/8PM ET. Tickets are only $6.30 (includes service fee) and you can and very much should buy tickets here.

Friends From College Gets a Second Season at Netflix

August 22, 2017
Uncategorized
cobie smulders, fred savage, friends from college, keegan michael key, nat faxon, netflix, renewed

Renewals don’t come so easily at Netflix these days, so Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco’s Friends From College did pretty well for itself.

The series had plenty of different nuanced and complex relationships woven between “friend from college” that one has to wonder where exactly they’ll go with a second season. Maybe if this’ll end up being a more grounded Wet Hot American Summer where the cast actually plays roles that are more age appropriate and return a few years older. 

We’ll just have to wait and see.

The Full Trailer for “Friends From College” Promises a Reunion That’s Pretty Much Non-Stop Chaos

June 14, 2017
Uncategorized
annie parisse, cobie smulders, francesca delbanco, fred savage, friends from college, jae suh, keegan michael key, nat faxon, nick stoller, trailer

Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco’s Netflix series, Friends From College looks like it could have been a movie where old friends have one disastrous weekend.

Yet, as it is a series, there’s plenty more twist and turns that they can play with on top of having a fantastic cast of Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, Nat Faxon, Fred Savage, Jae Suh, and Annie Parisse.

See for yourself in the full length trailer.

Then, look for Friends From College to start streaming on Netflix on a month from now on Friday, July 14th.

Watch Jake Johnson Be Addicted to Poor Decision Making in Trailer for “Win It All”

March 9, 2017
Uncategorized
jake johnson, joe lo truglio, joe swanberg, keegan michael key, netflix, trailer, win it all

The latest work from the singular Joe Swanberg is a film co-written by Jake Johnson and himself called Win It All.

The trailer promises a caper with a guy who just can’t stop making impulsive, bad decisions that just happens to come into possession of money that isn’t his. Keegan-Michael Key, Joe Lo Truglio, and Aislinn Derbez round out the cast for what might be both a charming comedy and one of Swanberg’s most plot-driven works to date.

Watch the trailer for Win It All here then look for it on Netflix on Friday, April 7th.

Billy on the Street Takes on Gun Control with Keegan Michael-Key in Latest Obstacle Course

January 17, 2017
Uncategorized
billy eichner, billy on the street, double dare, gun control, keegan michael key, obstacle course, satire, trutv

Eichner’s latest and greatest obstacle course, Super Sloppy, Semi-Automatic Double Dare!, along with guest/contestant Keegan Michael-Key, shows how easy it is around America to buy a gun. 

Really, this recent satirical, politically focused evolution of Billy on the Street is pretty fantastic. We look forward to seeing where Billy takes his show throughout the Trump Administration.

Obama’s Anger Translator Gets in Final Words on Trump Becoming President

January 6, 2017
Uncategorized
anger transltor, daily show, jordan peele, keegan michael key, luther, obama, trevor noah, trump

Keegan Michael-Key and Jordan Peele team up once more for their Obama and Anger Translator Luther sketch that just might sum up how you’re feeling with less than two weeks before Trump’s inauguration. It actually might sum up your feelings more loudly than you could have imagined.

Watch it here.

Key & Peele’s Obama and Anger Translator Luther Appearing on Daily Show Tonight

January 6, 2017
Uncategorized
daily show, jordan peele, keegan michael key, luther anger translator, obama, trevor noah

Key & Peele’s Obama and Anger Translator Luther Appearing on Daily Show Tonight

11PM on Comedy Central, one of the most memorable parts of both Key & Peele and the Obama Administration will go for one last ride.

Keegan-Michael Key Will Host This Year’s Gotham Awards

November 2, 2016
Uncategorized
gotham awards, keegan michael key

Keegan-Michael Key Will Host This Year’s Gotham Awards

The infectious high energy of Keegan-Michael Key could potentially be a great go to for awards hosting. We’ll be curious to see if he breaks out any of his Key & Peele characters.

We’ll have to see how that plays out when The Gotham Awards happens at the end of the month.

When Asked to Make a Viral Video, Mike Birbiglia and The Cast of Don’t Think Twice Decided To Do This Instead

August 23, 2016
Uncategorized
chris gethard, don't think twice, funny or die, gillian jacobs, kate micucci, keegan michael key, mike birbiglia, satire, short film, tami sagher, viral video
The Viral Video: The Most Popular Short Film Ever (By Mike Birbiglia) from Keegan-Michael Key

As part of the promotion of a movie, the talent is often now required to do some sort of online content that needs to go viral. 

Such a dilemma befell Don’t Think Twice’s Mike Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci, and Tami Sagher.

So, they did this.

Is it a viral video? Is it a short film? Is it a sketch? Is it all three as a commentary of the debilitating allure of having content go viral? Is that in of itself a viral video?

We’ll let you decide for yourself (though we’re betting on the last two FYI). 

Mike Birbiglia’s Don’t Think Twice Is Now Playing in Over 60 Cities Nationwide

August 12, 2016
Uncategorized
chris gethard, don't think twice, gillian jacobs, kate micucci, keegan michael key, mike birbiglia, nationwide release, tami sagher

Don’t Think Twice is, as it should be, expanding its theatrical release nationwide far beyond LA and NYC reaching over 60 cities across the country starting today. 

The latest film from Mike Birbiglia is another showing of how great a storyteller Birbiglia really is, no matter the form. In Don’t Think Twice, deftly explores the inner workings, the lofty highs, and the heartbreaking lows of being in an improv troupe and how comedy (and, ostensibly, life) doesn’t always work out no matter how much hope you have. The cast comprised of real life comedy all stars (Birbiglia, Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci, and Tami Sagher) delivers as you’d expect them to and their performance really tow the film swinging from hysterical to unflinching without seeming forced at all.

So, go watch it as soon you can especially since there are so many more chances to do so now.

Jeffrey Tambor, Aziz Ansari, Jerrod Carmichael, Rob Lowe, Tony Hale, and Keegan-Michael Key Sit Down and Talk Shop with The Hollywood Reporter

June 10, 2016
Uncategorized
arrested development, aziz ansari, carmichael show, comedy roundtable, grinder, jeffrey tambor, jerrod carmichael, keegan michael key, key & peele, master of none, rob lowe, roundtable discussion, the hollywood reporter, tony hale, transparent, veep

As campaigning for The Emmys is heating up, The Hollywood Reporter is doing another round of their great, in-depth roundtable discussions. 

Their latest brought together comedy actors that are Emmys contenders, which includes…

Jeffrey Tambor…

…Aziz Ansari…

…Jerrod Carmichael…

…Rob Lowe…

…Tony Hale…

…and Keegan Michael Key.

They touch on anything from representation of minorities to the most embarrassing moments, which Rob Lowe probably takes the cake with his dark secret (it’ll probably come up during his roast).

Comedy Central Does the Right Thing and Has Made Every “Key & Peele” Sketch Available Online

June 9, 2016
Uncategorized
anger translator, east west bowl, every sketch, jordan peele, keegan michael key, key & peele

FYI, more than half of their over 300 sketches never made it online.

Key & Peele has forever made its mark in comedy with their trailblazing, gut busting sketches including Obama’s Anger Translator and the East/West Bowl. During the series run, only a limited number of sketches from the actual broadcast version of the show made it online where Key & Peele enjoyed as much, if not more, popularity than they did on air at Comedy Central.

Now that the dust has settled (i.e. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele have made a movie and are involved in several other projects) Comedy Central has now had the hindsight to realize the true, long lasting, cultural value of Key & Peele. As such, they have overhauled the show’s site at cc.com to have every sketch, 176 which never made it online, available one click away. 

So, if you’re reading this still, you need stop fooling yourself that you’re going to do anything else but stream Key & Peele sketches all day long right here.

Here’s the Trailer for Mike Birbiglia’s Comedy About Improv Troupes “Don’t Think Twice”

May 21, 2016
Uncategorized
chris gethard, don't think twice, gillian jacobs, improv, kate micucci, keegan michael key, mike birbiglia, tami sagher, trailer

Many of you might be aware of the back and off stage drama that happens behind improv troupes. In fact, it would almost seem unbelievable that improv teams that seem so joyous and on-the-same-wavelength on stage would be bickering, jealous, etc. Yet, it happens and happens often.

However, Mike Birbiglia’s latest film Don’t Think Twice is bringing all of that light with a stellar cast of Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Tami Sagher, Kate Micucci, and Birbiglia himself.

This trailer shows that Mike Birbiglia has a knack for this writing/directing thing.

Look for this to hit theaters on July 22nd.

Watch Key & Peele Do an Impromptu Live Read of a Scene from Keanu, Then Watch Keanu in Theaters

April 29, 2016
Uncategorized
andy ricther, conan, jordan peele, keanu, keegan michael key

Starting last night, Keanu hit theaters across the country and is the latest work from the brilliant comedic minds of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele and their Key & Peele collaborators, director Peter Atencio and writers Alex Rubens.

So, here are showtimes for Keanu in theaters across LA.

Before you go and see it, you might actually want to watch a surprise live read of a scene from the movie that features Conan O’Brien as Method Man and Andy Richter as Keanu the cat, which you can watch right now right here.

Key & Peele Talk the Ending of Their Show, Keanu, and Going on a Ghost Tour with Method Man

April 22, 2016
Uncategorized
ghost tour, jimmy kimmel live, jordan peele, keanu, keegan michael key, key & peele, method man

In doing the rounds to promote their upcoming film Keanu, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live last night.

Of course, they chatted about how emotional the end of Key & Peele was and what it was like working on their new feature length film together. They also discussed what it was like going on a walking ghost tour with Wu Tang Clan member Method Man, which could have been a sketch all by itself.

Keegan-Michael Key to Host the 2016 Peabody Awards

April 7, 2016
Uncategorized
2016, keegan michael key, peabody awards

(via Variety)

The Peabody Awards are on track to getting mentioned in the same conversation as the Emmys, the Golden Globes, etc. on top of being the prestigious awards that they have always been.

Having shifted from an afternoon announcement to a telecast and a whole evening affair, The Peabody Awards have really stepped up their game since 2015. Last year, they had Fred Armisen host and now they’re having another high profile comedian in Keegan-Michael on board to host this year.

The actual event will happen on Saturday, May 21st, but there will be a special that will air a few weeks later on June 6th at 8PM on Pivot.

March 27, 2016
Uncategorized
bad news bears, cinefamily, doug benson, fairfax, film festival, john mulaney, keegan michael key, matt besser, patton oswalt, rob corddry, tig notaro, wayne federman, wayne federman international film festival, zach galifianakis

Comedians and their favorite movies meet yet again for Wayne Federman’s 5th International Film Festival at Cinefamily. 

Tig Notaro, John Mulaney, Patton Oswalt, Zach Galifianakis, Keegan-Michael Key, Doug Benson, Matt Besser, and Rob Corddry all present (i.e. talk at length why this movie means so much to them) The Bad News Bears, Withnail & I,  The Burbs, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and more.

The 5th Annual WFIFF goes from Thursday, March 31st to Sunday, April 3rd. Get your tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows and open mics with corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

(Source: https://player.vimeo.com/)

If You’re at SXSW, You’ll Be Able to Watch Key & Peele’s “Keanu” Before Everyone Else, Sort of

March 8, 2016
Uncategorized
jordan peele, keanu, keegan michael key, sxsw

(via Deadline)

Be at Austin’s Paramount Theater, March 12th, Saturday night at midnight if you want to go.

The action comedy starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele where they save a cat is coming to SXSW. Though, it will be a “work-in-progress” cut of the movie, you’ll still have a chance to see it several weeks (premiere is at the end of April) before anyone else, even if it ends up being cut different. In fact, you’ll get to see a cut that no one else will probably see.

Either way, if you’re down in Austin, TX for SXSW, you should probably go to this. 

Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele Are Doing Live Game Commentary Tomorrow, in Character, for Squarespace

February 6, 2016
Uncategorized
commentary, jordan peele, keegan michael key, key & peele, super bowl

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele got some ridiculous get-ups, ridiculous hair-dos, and plenty of top notch riffing coming during Super Bowl Sunday tomorrow. 

This whole “Real Talk” event is in promotion of website building platform Squarespace (they made a whole website for this whole promotional stunt), which might be better than dropping several million for 30 seconds of commercial air time. 

So, maybe mute the TV except for the commercials and have this running over the game instead?

Stephen Colbert Announces His Guest Line-up for ‘The Late Show’ Post Super Bowl Special

January 29, 2016
Uncategorized
jordan peele, keegan michael key, key & peele, late show, margot robbie, stephen colbert, super bowl, tina fey, will ferrell

Got my Super Bowl squad ready. Hey Tina Fey, @MargotRobbie, Will Ferrell, @KeeganMKey, and @JordanPeele: Aim for the knees! #LSSC

Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, and Margot Robbie should make for a pretty special episode of The Late Show after this year’s Super Bowl. We mean, that’s in addition to whatever ultra clever stuff Colbert has up his sleeve on his own.

Oh yeah, you should check out what Stephen is up to at The Late Show these days. It’s pretty great and showcases how many gears, both comedic and emphatic, Colbert can shift in and out of even though he’s not in character.

The New ‘Key & Peele’ Movie “Keanu” Has a Red Band Trailer

January 21, 2016
Uncategorized
jordan peele, keegan michael key, key & peele, peter atencio

Yeah, so just drop what you’re doing and watch this.

A veritable Key & Peele gang of Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Key & Peele director Peter Atencio, and Key & Peele writer Alex Rubens are back together again for the feature length Key & Peele movie we were all hoping for, Keanu.

Look for Keanu in theaters on Apr. 29th.

Keegan-Michael Key and Lena Dunham Added to Sundance Juries

January 13, 2016
Uncategorized
film festival, keegan michael key, lena dunham, sundance

(via Variety)

In a film world that still mostly celebrates weighty dramas, Sundance still gives some much needed love to comedy. 

The revered Sundance Film Festival is one of the few places in critically acclaimed cinema where comedy gets its fair shake. If you take a look at film festivals and awards show the world over, mostly dramas dominate the line-ups and the fields of nominees. 

However, indie comedies seem to really find their way en masse to Sundance and having Keegan Michael-Key and Lena Dunham added to the jury is even more of a reflection of comedy’s presence at the festival. 

This makes the jury prizes for this year all the more intriguing.

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