FYW Blog Week 5: Response to Key & Peele

Key & Peele are a dynamic duo would it comes to their Comedy Central skits. They have had a pretty longstanding presence on the channel, and don’t seem to be going anywhere else anytime soon. I agree that a lot of their skits utilize the superiority theory to make the audience laugh, but I think it could also be argued that the incongruity theory is just as vital to their humor. I remember when I saw my first Key & Peele skit, and it was the East/West Bowl, where they announce the starting lineups for a college football All-American game. Poking fun at some of the absurd names athletes have, they blow things totally out of proportion with incongruous names like “Hingle McCringleberry” and “Torque [Construction Noise] Lewith.” These unimaginable names embody the incongruity theory. Other than this skit though, most of my other favorite Key & Peele skits were mentioned, like “Substitute Teacher” and “Loco Gangsters.” I think the “Loco Gangsters” skit does a great job using both the superiority theory. It fits the superiority theory because we can look at Carlito’s mindless attempt at becoming the most “loco” in the gang, like stapling our hand and spinning a gun on it, and be thankful that we are not stupid enough to do the idiotic things he did. In “Continental Breakfast,” the superiority theory is definitely apparent, but I think the ending fits the incongruity theory as well. Who would have expected for the man at the front desk to tell him he’s been here forever, and then see a picture of him from 1935? That is exactly the unexpected thing just doesn’t quite make sense, therefore utilizing the incongruity theory. Overall, Key & Peele skits are always funny, and thanks to this assignment, I went back and watched some of the greats.