When it comes to presidential politics, the campaign season is often the comedy gift that keeps on giving. From The Daily Show to The Colbert Report to Saturday Night Live, the election season provides no shortage of material. But this year, only one show has actually received a presidential endorsement.
President Barack Obama appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last April. Fallon asked the president about his favorite comedians and television shows, and the president replied, “There is [a video] that my staff showed me recently by these guys Key and Peele on Comedy Central,” the president explained with a smile. “They’ve got a guy who imitates me pretty well, and the premise is that I’m sitting in the Oval Office and he’s got an anger translator named Luther. So, I’ll make my little speech and Luther’ll come on and say – well, I can’t actually repeat what he says, but it’s pretty good stuff.”
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are the comedians behind Key & Peele on Comedy Central. Like the president, both Keegan and Jordan are biracial, which Keegan believes helps him as an actor. “You end up being able to be really varied different characters, because you end up doing that in your life, anyway, for survival, when you’re a biracial person… Code switching is part of me and Jordan’s life.”
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!