Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Key & Peele: Season One Blu-ray Movie Review

Funny stuff indeed.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 26, 2012

It is prominently stated on a packaging sticker that President Obama likes Key & Peele, calling it "pretty good stuff." Well, in today's environment where politics seem to drift into and influence pretty much everything, that means that, according to the most recent polls, 46% of Democrats will like the show, 46% of Republicans won't, and 8% of the population will remain undecided, at least until the early November episodes. Or does it? Well, to one of the two 46%ers, President Obama is right! (Never! For once? As usual? Forward! For shame, this is an apolitical site!). But really, Key and Peele is adult-oriented and very funny entertainment, and everybody -- Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians, Socialists, Anarchists, Tea Partiers, MSBNC and FOX News viewers all -- should give it a shot. Key and Peele will leave open-minded viewers in stitches thanks to their involved and hilarious skits that encompass a wide range of topics, from President Obama's angry alter ego to a terrified substitute helicopter traffic reporter.

Why are we in widescreen again?

Former MADtv stars Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele appear in front of a live studio audience, hosting a variety sketch show starring...them! The bi-racial pair use skin color -- and their identities as half black/half white individuals -- as a major theme through their skits. Each episode offers several short performances, pre-filmed away from the audience and only introduced by the pair in the studio. Their skits cover everything from President Obama's angry alter-ego to "yo mamma" jokes. They paint themselves white to fend off a Nazi searching for "two escaped negroes" and alternate between their "white" and "black" roots while on a date at a fancy restaurant. They poke fun at reality television and the zombie apocalypse, they chide 90s fashion and music, flashback to the slave trade, and even get mixed up in an MMA promo gone wrong.

It's a little vulgar and it might not be for everyone, but there's a reason why Key & Peele remains one of Comedy Central's flagship programs: it's downright hilarious. Of course, not every sketch tops the last and there are few that viewers will spend wondering what got into Key and Peele rather than laughing at the material, but generally speaking the duo nails pretty much every comedic venture they undertake. Their ability to so perfectly transform into character and, not only that, but play a wide variety of characters of so many different backgrounds -- ethnic, sexual orientation, even gender -- is what really shapes the humor. Their deliveries are perfect and the skits are truly funny, most of the time, and that perfect mixture of witty writing and faultless execution of the varied parts elevate Key and Peele above the rest and place them with the greats of sketch comedy from Saturday Night Live as two of the best such performers of the past few decades.

The Key and Peele show may be best known for its Barack Obama impersonations (Obama made the "good stuff" comment on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon). Jordan Peele's POTUS recreation is nearly perfect. Not only does he have the basic look down, but the accent and verbal cadence are spot-on, right down to the brief "uhs" thrown in for good measure. It's right up there with the best of the best Presidential impersonations, including catch-all impersonator Paul Shanklin or famed George W. Bush mock man Steve Bridges. Peele may not exactly look the part, but he sure could fool a lot of people on a phony robocall or telephone interview. Better, Key & Peele enjoys exemplary production values for a thirty minute cable sketch show. Costumes are well designed and production values are high, but ultimately such are merely supportive elements for the quick writing and faultless performances that make the show such a successful venture and one worthy of all its success at that.

Key & Peele: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Key & Peele: Season One makes its Blu-ray debut with a fair high definition transfer. This isn't exactly a striking image, nor would most expect it to be. However, it is a stable, watchable presentation that delivers adequate detailing, consistent crispness, and sufficient clarity. Facial and clothing textures aren't as intricate as might be seen on a perfect film or high dollar HD video shoot, but textures are fine for a mid grade television presentation. Colors are balanced, not too bright and never too pale. The image does suffer from some evident banding and bouts of shimmering. Such troublesome elements are easily noticeable but don't too terribly degrade from the presentation. Key & Peele: Season One works on the level required; it's not a stunner of a transfer, but it's a workmanlike image that does the show proudly on Blu-ray.

Key & Peele: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Key & Peele: Season One features a serviceable Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Dialogue is the series' centerpiece sonic element, and it plays cleanly, crisply, and evenly from the center. Audience cheers and applause sometimes sound a bit mushy and never completely immersive, but the effect spreads nicely enough about the stage and never seems too distressed. There's a fair sense of space in some scenes taking place in a wider stage. Ambient effects are fairly compelling and accurate, particularly those taking place on street level where sounds of the city nicely fold into the listening experience. Bass is deep and effective in a few spots, notably an outer space scene in one early season one sketch. The track shows some goodness, exudes a bit of confidence, and finds some energy and clarity throughout. It's not a masterpiece soundtrack, but much like the video presentation, it serves the series' Blu-ray presentation well.

Key & Peele: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Key & Peele: Season One contains the following extras:

• Audio Commentaries: Available on B!tc#, Das Negroes, Flicker, and Soul Food.
• Outtakes (1080p, 6:57).
• Poolside Interview (1080p, 4:34): The duo speaks humorously on their duo-ness, the theme song, and their favorite sketches.
• Obama's Anger Translator (1080p): A collection of the Obama/Luther sketches in one place. Included are Meet Luther (2:32), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (0:55), Where's My Mayo? (0:58), Michelle Calls (1:17), Therapy Session (1:15), Makeup Job (0:41) and The Last Four Years (2:08).
• Key & Peele at the South Beach Comedy Festival (1080p): Backstage (2:05) and Split Their Pants (2:06).

Key & Peele: Season One Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Key & Peele: Season One holds plenty of replay value, and the good thing about the entire collection on Blu-ray is that fans can skip around and watch only their favorite sketches. The series is a laugh riot, with great writing and exceptional performances from two gentleman who share a remarkable on-screen chemistry and an uncanny ability to completely disappear into any variety of character. It's one of the funniest things going on television today. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Key & Peele: Season One offers good video and audio to go along with several extras. Recommended.