Key & Peele
Comedy Central | Release Date: January 31, 2012
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
78
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews
Positive:
18
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandSep 17, 2013
Season 3 Review: The highlights of Wednesday's season premiere are the return of the anger translator and an insanely brilliant take-off on the film version of "Les Miserables," which is so beautifully detailed, it may actually take you a second to realize it is a satire and the song lyrics aren't what you think they are. Read full review
91
NewsdayVerne GayJul 7, 2015
Season 5 Review: In the three episodes Comedy Central offered for review, most of the sketches work, some don't. But the best of the lot is next week.... just might be that breakout season. Read full review
91
Entertainment WeeklyKeith StaskiewiczJan 30, 2012
Season 1 Review: While the show is not yet as boundary-pushing as Chappelle's, it is funny, and that should never be taken for granted. Read full review
83
Uncle BarkyEd BarkSep 17, 2013
Season 3 Review: It may be quite a challenge to keep up the pace and the quality. But the bet here is that these guys will find ways to keep making it all work for them. Read full review
83
HitfixAlan SepinwallJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: We have two likable and funny guys and a lot of untapped material. That's an excellent start. Read full review
80
The WrapDaniel HollowayJul 8, 2015
Season 5 Review: The season five premiere of Key & Peele finds the duo returning to their sharply observed sketch show in fine form, their keen eyes focused on recent news and social events. Read full review
80
The New York TimesMike HaleJul 7, 2015
Season 5 Review: [The] zone of ambiguity is what sets Key & Peele apart--it leaves us to read the cultural cues ourselves, and isn’t that concerned if we can’t keep up. Read full review
80
Yahoo TVKen TuckerJul 7, 2015
Season 5 Review: Key and Peele returns to Comedy Central on Wednesday night with an exceedingly strong half-hour that once again demonstrates the range of not only the duo’s performance skills, but their ideas as well. Read full review
80
USA TodayRobert BiancoSep 18, 2013
Season 3 Review: The comedy ranges from silly to sharp, but it's seldom stupid and it's never mean-spirited – and the pair's talent is always on obvious display. Read full review
80
SalonRoger CatlinJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: There's great energy and real laughs, and with any support at all from the network, this could mint as many new catchphrases as Chappelle. Read full review
80
Los Angeles TimesRobert LloydJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: [The taped linking] bits feel a little forced compared to the sketches, which are consistently smart and smartly acted and flow easily from ordinary premises to weird conclusions. Read full review
80
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob OwenJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: Its hits outpace its misses--by a mile. That's not often the case with sketch comedy shows. Just as important, the humor is consistently smart. Read full review
80
The Huffington PostMaureen RyanJan 30, 2012
Season 1 Review: It's certainly worth keeping up with Key & Peele, given how strong and confident those outings are. Read full review
75
RedEyeCurt WagnerSep 17, 2013
Season 3 Review: All joking aside, Key and Peele do still have something to say. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandJan 30, 2012
Season 1 Review: Key and Peele are sufficiently talented and versatile to carry off a half-hour show on their own. Read full review
70
The New York TimesMike HaleSep 18, 2013
Season 3 Review: What really sets Key & Peele apart are the stars’ performances. Read full review
70
Boston GlobeSarah RodmanJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: Like all comedy, whether the duo always sticks the landing will depend on the viewer. Read full review
70
TimeJames PoniewozikJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: A pretty good sketch show. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsDavid HinckleyJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: Some of it is moderately profane. Some pushes traditional boundaries of taste, though in today's comedy world these guys aren't even close to the edge. Read full review
50
VarietyBrian LowryJan 31, 2012
Season 1 Review: All told, it's a respectable niche addition but won't make anyone old enough to remember "In Living Color" apt to forget it. Read full review
Current TV Shows
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 92 The Pitt: Season 2
2 90 The Celebrity Traitors UK: Season 1
3 87 Hacks: Season 5
4 87 Industry: Season 4
5 87 Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal:...
6 85 The Beatles Anthology
7 85 The Traitors [UK]: Season 4
8 85 Bait: Season 1
9 84 Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
10 83 Lord of the Flies
11 83 Riot Women: Season 1
12 83 For All Mankind: Season 5
13 81 The Muppet Show (2026)
14 80 Outlander (2014): Season 8
15 80 The Other Bennet Sister: Season 1
16 80 The Mighty Nein: Season 1
17 80 The Comeback: Season 3
18 80 The American Revolution
19 80 One Piece (2023): Season 2
20 80 Dark Winds: Season 4
SEE ALL