Key & Peele is a sketch comedy show staring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele who poke fun and joke about everything from Hollywood, politics, culture, and more through the views of minorities and other groups. Their viewpoint allows the audience to laugh at jokes that we may not have seen through regular shows. Whenever you watch a sketch for the first time, you laugh at the random humor and punchlines that make it funny but on a second viewing whenever you learn more about the topics its poking fun of; you enjoy it a lot more. A particular episode I enjoyed is (S4-E1) titled “Alien Imposter” as through multiple viewings I understood the “alien” humor and particularly the jabs at stereotypes. Whether you’re watching it for the first time or the 14th no matter what you know, you can enjoy this sketch.
The sketch starts as alien invasion has begun with Key and Peele moving through the ruined streets, armed with weapons. Their nervous about running into enemies but come across a survivor instead who lets them know that there is a community holding out and they are welcomed to join. Now usually during an apocalyptic event whenever someone says there’s a safe haven; you’d go with them. Instead, Peele shoots him repeatedly and after it’s revealed that the man was an alien in disguise and when Key asks him how he knew Peele states “- Redneck wants us to live in his community? Us?” continuing their trek. As stated in Philip Scepanski’s chapter of our book “These are among the simplest reason an audience might laugh – anyone can get the gag.” (pg.357).
Peele randomly shooting someone is funny because of the scenario that they are currently in; anyone can be an alien and better safe than sorry. Yet after explaining his reasoning, the joke changes greatly but is still funny. He uses stereotyping to figure out it was an imposter. The alien changed into a redneck, but not just any redneck; a SOUTHERN redneck complete with denim everything and a trucker hat with the infamous confederate flag on it which is known for being the symbol of wannabe confederates who are racist to anyone not white (also its from duke of hazard but context is key here). Context and learning about the symbolism help this joke win a laugh.
An alien invasion is also usually in the genre of action and suspense since at the beginning Peele set the tone saying “This place is crawling with them.” Signifying that there are alien threats in the area. The foreshadowing helps since they come across an alien disguised survivor which brings the scene full circle. Anyone who knows about scene structuring can enjoy the layers of setup this takes and the payoff with the stereotyping joke as mentioned by Scepanski “one of the programs chief weapons: is surprise.” (pg.358). This set up is used throughout the sketch with every stereotype being more ridiculous than the last. Continuing, they immediately run into a very different survivor, a lot more cleaned up than the last.
A man in a business suit runs to them and is relieved to see them, while he doesn’t say anything to give a warning Key asks him a simple question: “Would you let me date your daughter?”. Enthusiastically the man says yes and is Immediately gunned down revealing he too is an alien. But they don’t have time to unpack that as a woman run into them terrified. She starts panicking and tells them three things: “My best friend is black, I love jay-z, and my favorite movie is think like a man.”. This answer seems to please both men who take her with them and move forward.
This particular meeting had Key find out instead of Peele which created layers. Going off of the logic from the last encounter he tries it to see if it works or if it’s a fluke. When it does work, it’s funny because he now has an unfortunate idea on how to see whose real and fake. It’s even funnier since the alien, while being polite and reasonable was under a stereotype scrutiny as the stereotypical racist dad who wouldn’t let his daughter date African Americans. Then the situation is immediately followed by the random woman appearing.
Since they killed someone already you would think they’d automatically open fire but they hesitate since she wants to prove her humanity. The anticipation to see if the joke lands three for three or if she’s normal pays off when she lists her reasons and they accept the evidence as truth. She actually lists “black culture tie-ins” such as her listening to jay-z and her best friend being black. She is racist (even though the usual stereotype for her would be the ditzy free spirit who’s angry at her dad) although it’s not very offensive but just slightly. Her absurd answers which would make anyone laugh and the guys taking it as truth; shows that the pattern is working for their survival.
The now trio keep moving and run into another survivor this time it is another African American. He tells them not to shoot and Peele asks him what his thoughts are on the police. Thinking for a bit the man tells them that he liked their third album and is promptly shot dead revealing his green blood. Now the disguises are getting better because when the man runs up to them, he’s dressed as your stereotypical gangster complete with doo rag, chain, long and short sleeve baggy shirt combo. The audience would easily think “oh yeah this guy is definitely a survivor” since he’s already fitting the stereotype, but when asked a simple question; his disguise is revealed.
This joke is funny since its preying on our understanding of the trope going on, Scepanski also mentions something like this “with slightly more knowledge, other aspects… come into focus. A little familiarity with costume and setting.” (pg.357). it isn’t until Peele asks him “what are your thoughts on the police?” is where we can draw skepticism.
When you learn about the stereotypical African American (which the alien is dressed as) and their relationship with the police which is usually negative since the stereotype (while not mentioned) is that cops are racist against them and they don’t like each other.
But instead of talking negative about the police the alien talks instead about the band called THE POLICE and his enjoyment of them. While The Police is a good band, he made the mistake of mixing them up and paid for it.
They hear something after killing the alien and turn to see an old bald man walking by. He is terrified of them and raises his arms in surrender yelling that he doesn’t have any money. Both realize he’s normal as the old man runs off screaming in fear and they go the other way. While yes, it is terrifying if two people turned around and pointed guns at you. It isn’t until you start claiming your broke that things may be a tad askew.
When the old man jumped in fear its funny because you accidentally scared an elderly person and he things you’re going to shoot him. But he immediately makes it racist as he tells the two African Americans holding guns that he has no money and runs away. This plays into the stereotype of the old elderly racist who watches too much fox news and thinks that an African American with a gun is extremely dangerous. It is also ironic and funny that he stands next to multiple graffiti tags that say Danger: Alien Imposter & Trust No One. If he didn’t say anything you could believe that he thinks they are the aliens, but no, he’s just racist.
Finally, the last survivor they encounter is the stereotypical white preppy rich kid; complete with cardigan turtle sweater neck tie. He rushes to them and is grateful to see them telling them he needs to leave. Instead of asking to tag along or help in any way he pulls out his keys and tells the group what kind of car he drives and to bring it to him but not “scuff the paint”. After giving them the keys, Key immediately shoots him and instead of green blood its red. Turns out he is definitely a human and they killed a survivor but now have keys to a ride and all three head to the car with the woman asking if he was an alien to which they lie and say yes.
The culmination of their journey finishes here; they know who’s human and how to spot them. But what’s ironic is that this guy while being human; is annoying as hell. After Key shoots him, it’s hilarious because everyone knows someone like that and enjoyed him getting shot. He’s a regular racist rich kid and especially with the line “don’t scuff the paint I just had it buff.” gave “reasonable” justification to shoot him and when they committed the perfect murder, by now, you’re already know he had it coming.
Scepanski ends his chapter with this phrase “the idea that television contains layered meanings waiting to be unlocked by audiences with different backgrounds, cultural contexts… is both a challenge and a promise.” (pg.362). With Monty Python, the many layers of the Spanish Inquisition allow anyone from any background to enjoy its humor and when you learn more about the topics it becomes even funnier. Key & Peele use their point of view to make fun of the tropes and topics for us to see. Whether that’s an alien invasion which is thwarted by prejudice or just funny gun go pew-pew randomly, anyone can enjoy the jokes but if you learn more about what they are making fun of; it becomes hilarious.
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