Some sexual content as part of comedy sketches, including suggestive comments about genitalia. Occasional mock sexual activity -- sometimes suggesting crude acts -- but nothing is actually visible.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Drinking, drug use, and smoking are occasionally satirized as part of the show's comedy. One of the comedians says he "smokes weed" during an introductory talk.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Obviously fake violence is frequently used as punchlines to sketches -- for example, a sketch about rapper Lil' Wayne in which the rapper is comically stabbed (no blood).
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
The show's sketches satirize many of the stereotypes surrounding modern African-American culture, underscoring the role of comedy as an effective way to examine society. But a lot of the skits are just plain silly.
Positive Role Models
very little
Key and Peele represent different examples of the black male experience throughout their skits -- from doctors to gangsters and everything in between. When they appear as themselves, they appear to be genuinely good friends and care for each other.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Key & Peele is a sketch comedy series that satirizes stereotypes about the African-American experience. Violence and sexual innuendo are frequent elements of the comedy sketches, though without much detail. The series alternates between intelligent and sharp commentary on African-American life and broader humor that capitalizes on violence and adult language for laughs.
This is a comedy skit show, which is very funny, but not for little kids. Violence is obviously fake and always played for laughs, and sexual content comes in little innuendos and jokes that will simply fly over any normal kid's head. I recommend for any preteen that likes comedy.
it has some bad jokes but overall it's a really great show for young teens and adults.
What's the Story?
Starring comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, KEY & PEELE is a sketch comedy series in which the two comics lampoon stereotypes of African-American culture. From talking "black" to attitudes toward women, the show's satirical viewpoint is both varied and astute.
Broadly speaking, this series takes aim at stereotypes of African-American culture, not just those visited upon blacks by other races, but also those that African Americans seem to hold against each other. For instance, one sketch mocks the tendency of black men to speak in a more "black" style when they're with each other. Another plays off the tough attitude that men adopt when they're talking to each other about the women in their lives -- and the inevitable softening that occurs whenever those women are present.
When the show goes too broad, the jokes become generic. But when the satire is sharp and keenly focused, Key & Peele is comedy with real muscle behind it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of violence as a punchline. Is it easy to laugh at jokes that heavily involve violence?
What points does Key & Peele make about African-American stereotypes? How does this show's humor differ from other sketch comedy shows?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Matt Springer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
