Key and Peele are both great at comedy. This show definitely shows how talented they both are at writing and acting. They are insightful and thought provoking at times. With this show they tap into the millennial generations psyche. So why do I feel a bit hollow watching this show?
Having spent the better part of a decade trying to figure out why, I think I figured out the issue. This has been done before - and better. The show (compared to Chappelle's Show) lacks bite or any form of social anger, despite the consistent theme of being a black person in the USA. The sketches are good for the most part but you will be left wondering 'could they have gone further with it?'.
On reflection, the Key and Peele show is a sketch show by two people who make commentary but are hesitant (at least at the time because Peele has gone on to make movies that hit the point home much more than this show does) to commit fully to their own comments. They would rather make the audience laugh the pull away in shock. That is why at times this good show can feel rather formulaic.
Having spent the better part of a decade trying to figure out why, I think I figured out the issue. This has been done before - and better. The show (compared to Chappelle's Show) lacks bite or any form of social anger, despite the consistent theme of being a black person in the USA. The sketches are good for the most part but you will be left wondering 'could they have gone further with it?'.
On reflection, the Key and Peele show is a sketch show by two people who make commentary but are hesitant (at least at the time because Peele has gone on to make movies that hit the point home much more than this show does) to commit fully to their own comments. They would rather make the audience laugh the pull away in shock. That is why at times this good show can feel rather formulaic.