While their performance received mixed reviews Key & Peele’s VMAs’ 2016 commentary was a lot of fun. Key & Peele is a Comedy Central sketch show created by and starring comic duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Like a lot of sketch shows, the various skits could be hit and miss, but Key & Peele produced some all-time classics. They created several iconic characters, including the hyperactive, movie-obsessed Valets, Key’s angry teacher Mr. Garvey and Peele’s unbearably nerdy Wendell.
Peele also became famous for his uncanny impression of Barack Obama - despite not really resembling the former President at all - and the duo’s sketches like The Continental, which ends on a Shining-like twist had a habit of going viral. Key & Peele came to an end in 2015 and pair went on to star in comedy Keanu. They’ve since taken different career paths, with Key co-starring in projects like Dolemite Is My Name and The Predator. Peele has shifted towards the horror genre, receiving acclaim for writing and directing Get Out and Us.
Key & Peele had a knack for creating distinct comic creations, which they displayed with their guest commentary during the MTV Video Music Awards in 2016. It was a typically star-studded ceremony, with everybody from Britney Spears to Drake and Rihanna popping up. Key & Peele appeared as social media influencers @LizardSheeple and @TheShamester respectively. This vapid pair provided a running commentary of the show while also live-tweeting.
The concept was always going to be a tricky balancing act, since playing annoying, vapid wannabe celebrities ran the risk of just being plain irritating. Admittedly, some of their gags fell flat but none the less, Key & Peele were a highlight of the show and it’s hard not to feel some of the jabs were coming from a genuine place. They also came up with the running gag “That’s the tweet!” when something noteworthy happened. Reviews for the VMAS 2016 ceremony itself were mixed, and for some, @LizardSheeple and @TheShamester was a gag that ran thin pretty quick.
For others, it was a delightfully meta performance that only Key & Peele could have pulled off. While their show may have ended the pair still work together from time to time, having provided the voices for Toy Story 4’s Ducky and Bunny. Peele has been keeping busy elsewhere, acting as host and producer on the 2019 reboot of The Twilight Zone. He will also produce and co-write the upcoming spiritual sequel to Candyman with Nia DaCosta directing.
Next: Toy Story 4: Complete Voice Cast & Character Guide
