{"product_id":"the-history-of-sketch-comedy-a-journey-through-the-art-and-craft-of-humor-9781797216836","title":"The History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey Through the Art and Craft of Humor","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"A boisterous debut ... the authors are as funny as one would expect ... this is a hoot.\"\u003c\/b\u003e ―\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Will entice fans of Key \u0026amp; Peele ... a fun and funny primer on the art form.\"\u003c\/b\u003e ―\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthors Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key build on the popularity of their 2022 Webby Award\u003c\/b\u003e-\u003cb\u003ewinning podcast and delve deeper into the world of sketch, helped along with new essays created expressly for the book by comedy greats.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe History of Sketch Comedy \u003c\/i\u003ewill appeal to all kinds of comedy fans as well as fans of Keegan-Michael Key, whether they know him from his Emmy and Peabody-winning work on \u003ci\u003eKey \u0026amp; Peele;\u003c\/i\u003e his roles in \u003ci\u003eFargo\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Prom\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSchmigadoon!\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Bubble\u003c\/i\u003e, and the upcoming \u003ci\u003eWonka\u003c\/i\u003e; voiceover work in \u003ci\u003eThe Lion King\u003c\/i\u003e; or as President Barack Obama's anger translator, Luther. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e With epic personal tangents and hilarious asides, the Keys take you on an illuminating journey through all facets of comedy from the stock characters of \u003ci\u003ecommedia del arte\u003c\/i\u003e in the 16th century, to the rise of vaudeville and burlesque, the golden age of television comedy, the influence of the most well-known comedy schools, and the ascension of comedy films and TV specials--all the way through to a look at the future of sketch on social media platforms. Along the way, we hear tales of Keegan's childhood, his comedy influences, and the vicissitudes of his career path. As the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e said in its review of their podcast, \"this comedy nerd history is filtered through memoir, with Key relating stories of his budding fandom, training and rise from improv comic to television sketch artist.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Part memoir, part masterclass, and hilariously embellished with priceless commentary, \u003ci\u003eThe History of Sketch Comedy \u003c\/i\u003ehighlights the essential building blocks of sketch comedy while interweaving Keegan's personal career journey and the influence of his comedy heroes. The text is complemented by original art by Elle Key and exclusive essays compiled from conversations with influential performers, sketch writers, and uber comedy fans including Mel Brooks, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, John Oliver, Tracy Morgan, Carol Burnett, Jim Carrey, Jordan Peele, and many more. This book is as entertaining as it is enlightening--a must-read for fans of comedy and all who aspire to comic greatness. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e EXPANDING THE HIT PODCAST: With content from the #1 trending, NAACP-award-nominated and Webby-Award-winning Audible podcast, and featuring new-for-the-book material as well as never-before-heard stories and essays, this book will be a hit for newcomers and avid listeners of the podcast alike. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e MASTER OF THE MEDIUM: Keegan-Michael Key is a bona fide maestro of comedy, with the chops, experience, and love for the history of the medium that make him the perfect expert on all things sketch. As co-writer Elle Key likes to say, \"If Keegan-Michael Key was a guest lecturer at NYU teaching a course called 'The History of Sketch Comedy, ' it would be a very popular class.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e EXCLUSIVE ESSAYS: Keegan and Elle interviewed over a dozen comedy legends exclusively for this book, and got their takes on topics ranging from the influence of \u003ci\u003eSaturday Night Live\u003c\/i\u003e, to women in comedy, to the mathematics of sketch. Hear, in their own words, from Mel Brooks, Mike Myers, Jordan Peele, Julia-Louis Dreyfus, John Oliver, Tracy Morgan, Stephen Colbert, Carol Burnett, Chris Rock, Bob Odenkirk, Mike Birbiglia, Matt Lucas, Ken Jeong, Christopher Guest, Gary Oldman, Kevin Nealon, Laraine Newman, and Jim Carrey. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e GIFTABLE VOLUME OF COMEDY GOLD: Original illustrations and personal photographs throughout make this unique comedy book as visually entertaining as it is enlightening. The perfect gift for comedy fans of all ages as well as anyone aspiring to write, perform, or produce comedic art. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePerfect for: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComedy lovers of all kinds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFans of \u003ci\u003eKey \u0026amp; Peele\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFans of improv, sketch, stand-up, and shows like\u003ci\u003e SNL\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e MadTV\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Monty Python\u003c\/i\u003e, and\u003ci\u003e Mr. Show\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGift giving or self-purchase for established and aspiring comedians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReaders of such bestsellers as \u003ci\u003eBossypants\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eYes Please\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eIs Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBorn Standing Up\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eComedy Comedy Comedy Drama\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKeegan-Michael Key is an Emmy(R) and Peabody Award-winning actor, writer, and producer with an extraordinarily diverse skill set and wide-ranging talent in both comedy and drama. In the comedy world, Keegan-Michael is perhaps best known for starring alongside Jordan Peele in their multiple-award-winning show \u003ci\u003eKey \u0026amp; Peele\u003c\/i\u003e. His other credits include leading turns in Apple TV+'s Emmy-nominated \u003ci\u003eSchmigadoon!\u003c\/i\u003e, playing Meryl Streep's love interest in Netflix's \u003ci\u003eThe Prom\u003c\/i\u003e, his Critic's Choice nominated role in Hulu's \u003ci\u003eReboot, \u003c\/i\u003eand starring alongside Timothée Chalamet in the Warner Bros. Pictures' feature \u003ci\u003eWonka\u003c\/i\u003e. His voicework in feature animations includes \u003ci\u003eThe Lion King, Toy Story 4, \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eThe Super Mario Brothers Movie\u003c\/i\u003e. He made his Off-Broadway debut in \u003ci\u003eHamlet \u003c\/i\u003ewith Oscar Isaac, and his Broadway debut in Steve Martin's\u003ci\u003e Meteor Shower \u003c\/i\u003ewith Amy Schumer. Keegan-Michael redefines\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ewhat it means to be a multi-hyphenate in the worlds of film, \u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003etelevision, and theater, and his wildly varied and indelible performances\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003ehave won him fans of all ages and backgrounds. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Elle Key is an award-winning 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 the Atlantic. She went on to produce a number of independent feature films (including Nanette Burstein's Sundance award-winning documentary \u003ci\u003eAmerican Teen \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eAugust \u003c\/i\u003ewith Josh Hartnett, Adam Scott, Naomi Harris, and David Bowie, and was a second unit producer on Doug Liman's \u003ci\u003eFair Game \u003c\/i\u003ewith Sean Penn and Naomi Watts). She is the co-president and founder of Bigger Picture Media Group and has been writing and producing for almost a decade with her partner Keegan-Michael Key. She has helmed numerous national commercial campaigns as well as several projects for the NFL, the Pro Bowl, the Peabody Awards, and the Gotham Awards, and she was the first female head writer for \u003ci\u003eThe NFL Honors\u003c\/i\u003e. She was an executive producer on \u003ci\u003eBrain Games \u003c\/i\u003efor Disney\/Nat Geo, as well as an executive producer with James Corden for \u003ci\u003eGame On! \u003c\/i\u003efor CBS. She is a member of the Creative Coalition and Women in Film, and is on the Leadership Council of RFK Human Rights. In 2022, Elle won the People's Voice Webby Award for Best Writing for her original Audible series \u003ci\u003eThe History of Sketch Comedy.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Chronicle Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50571452809490,"sku":"9781797216836","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e17ee789-b24f-406e-9e14-00b06cf4fd24.jpg?v=1731964506","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-history-of-sketch-comedy-a-journey-through-the-art-and-craft-of-humor-9781797216836","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}