Episodes

  • Episode 0: History of Sketch Audio Trailer

    Episode 0: History of Sketch Audio Trailer
    Jan 4 2021

    From the beginning of time, there have been many monumental questions that have perplexed the human race such as: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? And... Who’s on first? 

    In The History of Sketch Comedy, Emmy and Peabody-winning actor, writer and producer Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele, The Prom, Jingle Jangle) embarks listeners on an epic, insightful and utterly entertaining voyage through the annals of sketch comedy. Key takes us from the early flatulence jokes of Ancient Greece and the acting troupes of Europe in the 1500s, to the rise of The Second City in Chicago and his own comedy origins on the ball fields near Detroit’s 8 Mile. Equal parts masterclass, personal odyssey and virtuoso performance; Key dissects the landmark characters, concepts and performers that pushed the boundaries and forged new ground in the comedy pantheon, and along the way reveals his own experiences of discovering and being influenced by them. 

    Over the course of ten half-hour chapters, one of the most beloved voices of our time treats listeners to a private, millennia-spanning interpretation of sketch comedy history, from its humble past to its immodest present.
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    1 min
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  • Episode One: The Earth Cooled, and Then the Dinosaurs Came

    Episode One: The Earth Cooled, and Then the Dinosaurs Came
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan covers the pre-history of sketch comedy, and dives into some of the seeds of comedy, drama and theater; which were planted by Sumerians and the Ancient Greeks. He also takes us on a personal history and explores his own career in comedy; including growing up in Detroit, and watching Saturday Night Live with his father.
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    33 mins
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  • Episode Two: I’m Gonna Get Medieval On Ya

    Episode Two: I’m Gonna Get Medieval On Ya
    Jan 28 2021
    We jump forward to medieval times, and the royal jesters’ politically sensitive role in court politics. Keegan moves on to describe the traveling troupes of Commedia del’Arte and their performers who forged comedy character tropes we know and love in sketch today. Keegan also shares his experiences as a performer at a Renaissance faire in Michigan… and yes he still has the full wardrobe.
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    37 mins
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  • Episode Three: Variety is the Spice of Life

    Episode Three: Variety is the Spice of Life
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan details the first use of the term “sketch” in the 18th century. He takes us on a journey through the evolution from variety theater revues to Vaudeville, and how that path takes us to what we know today as a “variety TV show”. Keegan also shares his own early experience with the variety format; performing with a local troupe while he was in school in Detroit.
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    29 mins
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  • Episode Four: A Face for Radio

    Episode Four: A Face for Radio
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan explores the shift from live comedy performances to the radio, which championed wit and verbal skill above more visual forms of humor, like slapstick. He highlights some of the early pioneers of radio comedy, and deep dives into one of his childhood radio favorites; Prairie Home Companion.
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    26 mins
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  • Episode Five: That’s Entertainment..?

    Episode Five: That’s Entertainment..?
    Jan 28 2021
    As radio was supplanted by television in the 1950s, sketch comedy and variety shows changed again, and new masters of the form arose. Keegan explores some mind-blowing greats like the Sid Caesar Show alongside some “so bad they were also great” 1970s variety shows. He lavishes some special attention on his own favorite variety series: The Muppet Show.
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    27 mins
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  • Episode Six: The British are Coming, the British are Coming

    Episode Six: The British are Coming, the British are Coming
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan dives into the rich history of British comedy and touches on how it differs from American humor; with it’s uber-polite performers, who brilliantly balance the line between sophistication and brashness. He also shares his own experience from his early days on the stage, and his performance in a delightful, and slap-dash, Shakespeare revue.
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    39 mins
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  • Episode Seven: The Me Generation (Working Title)

    Episode Seven: The Me Generation (Working Title)
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan shares his own early experiences in Hollywood; from meeting Jordan Peele and working on MadTV, to watching the popular sketch shows of his generation (Chappelle, Amy Schumer, Mr. Show) and how these greats and others inspired the creation of his show, Key & Peele.
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    40 mins
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