Key and Peele: 4.1

September 25, 2014 10:07 AM - Season 4, Episode 1

Sketches in the Season 4 premiere include an alien invasion of Earth; a family reacting to a gay relative's wedding; and surprising views from a couple of racists.

Season 4 kicked off last night. Gone are the live audience interstitial pieces; replaced with Key and Peele on a surreal road trip before sketches. Plus, a new True Detective inspired credit sequence. Sketches already online:

"Alien Imposters"
"Gay Wedding Advice"
"Obama Meet and Greet"

posted by gladly (10 comments total)

Uggggh those interstitials were death. I dig that they might be tired of the live audience, but geez those were the low point, possibly of the entire history of the series. Maybe I would have liked them more if I'd seen True Detective, but even though I knew it was an homage, I still hated it.

The opener (bank robber car-door lock shenanigans) was funny, then went on a little long, then got funny, and then the end was perfect.

Alien Impostors was just about perfect for what it was, but wasn't a home run. The end was a good button.

Gay Wedding Advice was also perfect without being transcendent. It's cool to see how many great performers they can get to just do one-note bits.

Mother Majesty was amusing, but the end was too obvious, but then Key did the burp thing, and I nearly pissed myself.

Obama Meet and Greet was amusing but went on too long.

Two Rednecks at a Bar was kind of painfully unfunny and preachy.

The Army cadence run hit close to home, but was funny enough.

All in all, a C show for K&P.
posted by Etrigan at 10:25 AM on September 25, 2014 [2 favorites]

I was really not a fan of the interstitials either. I miss their weird chemistry in front of a live audience. I actually liked those bits. Jordan Peele tweeted that this season is going to be 20 episodes, which I guess could make the live audience bits unwieldy.

The Obama Meet and Greet was good, but when he got to Key and took a moment to assess his bi-racialness, then greeted him with "Afternoon, my octaroon," I was done for.

I liked most of it, but I think I'm just so pleased that they're back.
posted by gladly at 10:34 AM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

I've been walking around singing "Macho Macho Man" for two days now.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:11 AM on September 25, 2014

I also missed the live audience bits. Those were sometimes my favorite parts, but I also feel like after a few episodes I will probably not miss them anymore? They were good but not important.

The new opening credit sequence is so great.
posted by dogwalker at 11:30 AM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

I rewatched Full Metal Jacket recently, so I loved the Army run part. They also cut it well, which is what has been a good part of a lot of their skits. They mostly know when to stop. But that was just really good and insightful. Funny, while also so true.
posted by cashman at 11:59 AM on September 25, 2014

They also cut it well, which is what has been a good part of a lot of their skits.

Peter Atencio is a fucking genius.
posted by Etrigan at 12:05 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

"I dunno, cous-cous?"


Sorry, that's all I had.
posted by Diablevert at 7:11 PM on September 25, 2014 [1 favorite]

"When are we going to sing YMCA?"

At the reception, like every other wedding on the planet!

The skits were perfect and laugh provoking. I rarely laugh out loud at TV.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:36 AM on September 27, 2014

I'm trying to imagine how that guy learned the limits of his jazz hand capabilities.
posted by tofu_crouton at 10:49 AM on September 27, 2014 [1 favorite]

I'm trying to imagine how that guy learned the limits of his jazz hand capabilities.

College, man...
posted by Etrigan at 5:33 PM on September 27, 2014