Preview

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The History of Sketch Comedy

By: Elle Key, Keegan-Michael Key
Narrated by: Keegan-Michael Key
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Performing Arts Sketch Comedy
Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Episode 0: History of Sketch Audio Trailer

    Episode 0: History of Sketch Audio Trailer
    Jan 4 2021

    From the beginning of time, there have been many monumental questions that have perplexed the human race such as: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? And... Who’s on first?

    In The History of Sketch Comedy, Emmy and Peabody-winning actor, writer and producer Keegan-Michael Key (Key & Peele, The Prom, Jingle Jangle) embarks listeners on an epic, insightful and utterly entertaining voyage through the annals of sketch comedy. Key takes us from the early flatulence jokes of Ancient Greece and the acting troupes of Europe in the 1500s, to the rise of The Second City in Chicago and his own comedy origins on the ball fields near Detroit’s 8 Mile. Equal parts masterclass, personal odyssey and virtuoso performance; Key dissects the landmark characters, concepts and performers that pushed the boundaries and forged new ground in the comedy pantheon, and along the way reveals his own experiences of discovering and being influenced by them.

    Over the course of ten half-hour chapters, one of the most beloved voices of our time treats listeners to a private, millennia-spanning interpretation of sketch comedy history, from its humble past to its immodest present.
    Show more Show less
    1 min
    Try for $0.00
  • Episode One: The Earth Cooled, and Then the Dinosaurs Came

    Episode One: The Earth Cooled, and Then the Dinosaurs Came
    Jan 28 2021
    Keegan covers the pre-history of sketch comedy, and dives into some of the seeds of comedy, drama and theater; which were planted by Sumerians and the Ancient Greeks. He also takes us on a personal history and explores his own career in comedy; including growing up in Detroit, and watching Saturday Night Live with his father.
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
    Try for $0.00
  • Episode Two: I’m Gonna Get Medieval On Ya

    Episode Two: I’m Gonna Get Medieval On Ya
    Jan 28 2021
    We jump forward to medieval times, and the royal jesters’ politically sensitive role in court politics. Keegan moves on to describe the traveling troupes of Commedia del’Arte and their performers who forged comedy character tropes we know and love in sketch today. Keegan also shares his experiences as a performer at a Renaissance faire in Michigan… and yes he still has the full wardrobe.
    Show more Show less
    37 mins
    Try for $0.00

Write what you know.

0:00
NYT Quote

About the Creator, Writer, and Director

Elle Key is a film, television, and commercial director, writer, and producer. She was born in the Bronx and spent her early years working off-Broadway with theater companies such as Malaparte, Naked Angels, and Atlantic. She went from working in theater to film, producing eight independent features (including Nanette Burstein’s Sundance award-winning doc American Teen, and August with Josh Hartnett, Naomi Harris, and David Bowie). She has written and directed on numerous projects including those for the NFL, the Pro-Bowl, the Peabody Awards, and the Gotham Awards. She is an executive producer on Brain Games for Disney/Nat Geo, as well as an executive producer (along with James Corden) for Game On!, the Keegan-Michael Key hosted show for CBS. She is the co-president and founder of Bigger Picture Media Group. She is also a member of the Creative Coalition, Women in Film, and is on the Leadership Council of RFK Human Rights.

About the Performer and Co-Writer

Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Keegan-Michael Key is one of Hollywood’s most in-demand forces. With his extraordinarily diverse skill set and wide-ranging talent in both comedy and drama, Key redefines what it means to be a chameleon and multi-hyphenate in the worlds of film, television, and theater. From his award-winning show Key & Peele, to 2019’s feature animations The Lion King and Toy Story 4, and to his current turn as Meryl Streep’s love interest in The Prom, Keegan is unstoppable.

Featured Article: Buckle Up and Listen In to the Best Podcasts for Road Trips


When it comes to setting out on a lengthy road trip, there's nothing better than queuing up an excellent new listen to help the time pass while enjoying the scenery rushing by outside your car window. With that said, there's something particularly special about a good podcast capable of both entertaining and igniting discussions between passengers throughout the drive. So, buckle in and get ready to crank these podcasts up in your car!

Featured Article Buckle Up and Listen In to the Best Podcasts for Road Trips

What listeners say about The History of Sketch Comedy

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    654
  • 4 Stars
    42
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    635
  • 4 Stars
    30
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    602
  • 4 Stars
    55
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    7

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Joey Duncan

Well worth a listen. Funny and good formatting.

This was a fun listen, I recommend it for anybody who wants comedic overview of sketch comedy past and present. if you aren't a fan of Keegan-Michael Key then you won't enjoy it.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Crystal

it was a nice one to listen to

l enjoyed this it was very educational and fun to listen when l did my work. great stuff

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for brenda

I love this!

Thank you for making this history of sketch! Very inspiring. Great job Elle and Keegan-Michael

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MelodicChronic

Awesome!!!

This is a lot of fun from start to finish. Keegan's energy and enthusiasm for the subject matter is infectious. If you love comedy, you should take the time and give this a listen.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tony

A Must Listen for Comedians!

Excellent for the lover of comedy, and comedian! This gets your creative juices flowing! Yes!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Naum O.

I thought I love comedy and sketches...

I thought I loved comedy and sketches, but after I listened to how Keegan-Michael Key talks about them, now I think compared to his passion, I merely have a bit of fun with them, and our relationship never got serious.
This was both entertaining and educational, with some nice recommendations thrown in it as a bonus.
You betcha I have a List!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for AnnCat

Loved it!

Informative and funny. I love key’s enthusiasm. I wish I could watch a sketch show with him.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brandon Braun

Didn't want it to end.

Keegan-Michael Key is immensely talented. This wasn't just a read through of some material. It was a performance. When he started talking about this was "brought to you by Audible" I got sad because I knew it was a wrap. I'm going to listen again!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Richard L. Wasserman

You can’t do that!

This was exactly what I thought it would be and what I needed. I laughed out loud at so much of this. Keegan Michael Key is one of my favorites to begin with and he did not disappoint - both with his telling of the history of sketch comedy and with his performance. Laugh out loud funny and informative. And reminded me of so many performances, movies and shows that I love that I now need to go rewatch.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer

silly and informative

Language may be offensive to some listeners- know your comedian's personality! Funny, stimulating, thought provoking.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!