We’re rolling through every episode of Key and Peele on Pop Thruster. Here we go with “Obama Shutdown,” Season 3 Episode 5. Follow along on the journey!
Also: check out ALL 351 Key & Peele Sketches Ranked (In Painstakingly Funny Detail)!
Let Me Hit That
“Hey, you know what? Let me hit that.” – Key
A short and sweet one in which the boys explore the pitfalls of short-term memory loss and smoking today’s stronger strands of weed.
Luther, Obama’s Anger Translator #9
“When was the last time we had sex, woman, election night?” – Luther
This ninth outing of President Obama (Peele) and his anger translator, Luther (Key), gets a new twist: Obama is attempting to have a romantic evening in the White House with Michelle (Keke Palmer), but the First Lady is tired and wants to go to bed. Therefore, it’s she who brings in the ever-ready Luther to help facilitate the marital conversation. Bonus: we also meet Michelle’s anger translator, Katendra (Nicole Randall Johnson), who does much to revitalize the premise.
Congressman Peele
“I know what the future brings, and I cannot let any of you sign it!” – Congressman Peele
It’s the constitutional convention of the United States, and a bewigged Key reads aloud the words of the second amendment, the right to bear arms. “What if someone made a gun that could kill 50 people in 30 seconds?” Peele asks, and the rest of gathered representatives of the new United States laugh in a well that’s ridiculous kind of way. Then, well, things do get ridiculous, because this is a time travel spoof – one in which we learn that changing our nation’s thirst for guns ain’t so easy. Depressing and funny at the same time.
The Flop
“Power Falcons win this match!” – Play-by-Play Guy
It’s a professional soccer match, and Peele flops during a routine play. However, this turns into a dialog-free operatic epic in which he dies, sees what looks like Nick Swardson playing god at the pearly gates, while meanwhile on Earth Key gets hit with a red card. It’s cute, but most of all shows off how next level K&P is in setting tone and telling a story through direction and performance.
Just Looking For A Jacket
“I didn’t expect to see you all undulating here.” – Peele
This one consists solely of a Peele monologue, with his character attempting to find his jacket at the end of a party and who instead stumbles on a full on orgy that’s in progress.
The Usual Suspect
“Hey Carter, you hang in there.” – Key
Finley (Peele) is a Keyser Soze-esque enigmatic weirdo a la The Usual Suspects, and Key is the cop interrogating him. Much like the movie in question, Finley leverages the stuff in Key’s office to embellish his lies or alibi and so forth, including a classic “Just Hangin’ In There” poster that features an adorable kitty. This one is fun enough, but then lays on a next level twist that shows off K&P’s writing genius and deep devotion to pop culture.
Some stats and info about Key & Peele, “Obama Shutdown”
TV SHOW – Key and Peele
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 3, Episode 5
AIRED ON – October 16th, 2013
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – Comedy Central/Hulu
GENRE – Comedy, Sketch Comedy
CREATED BY – Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele