COMEDY CENTRAL'S(R) "KEY & PEELE" NAMED A 2013 PEABODY(R) AWARD WINNER
The First Peabody Award for "Key & Peele" Marks the Eighth for Comedy Central, Which Has Been Honored for Three Consecutive Years
NEW YORK, April 2, 2014 - Comedy Central's hit series "Key & Peele" was named a winner of a George Foster Peabody Award in the 73rd Annual Peabody Awards competition, it was announced today. In announcing the winning programs, the Peabody committee said of the series, "It's like Abbott and Costello meet Richard Pryor when the duo of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele fearlessly apply their mischievous minds and satirical savvy to racially aware sketches both broad and incisive."
Key and Peele on receiving a Peabody Award: "When we reflect on the previous recipients of this award the thought is dizzying. We are proud and honored to be a part of this prestigious group."
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele are best known for their impressive ability for improv, celebrity impressions and conjuring up original characters. In "Key & Peele," the two utilize a combination of filmed sketches and live stage segments to examine life in a provocative and irreverent way, from the perspective of two men used to being on the outside looking in. Whether it's satirizing the President, spoofing musical acts, or taking on religion, "Key & Peele" showcases their chemistry, camaraderie and unique point of view, born from their shared background and experiences growing up biracial in a not quite post-racial world.
A true multiplatform hit, "Key & Peele" videos, including "East/West College Bowl," "Pizza Order," "I Said Bitch," "Auction Block" and the classic "Obama Loses His S**t," have generated over 530 million total streams, with nine of the top ten clips on the Comedy Central YouTube channel coming from the series, led by "Substitute Teacher" with over 48 million streams to date.
"Key & Peele" is created by and stars Key and Peele and is executive produced by Key, Peele, Jay Martel, Ian Roberts and Joel Zadak. Gary Mann and Tara Schuster are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central. The series will return in the fall with a 22-episode fourth season.
"Key & Peele's" 2013 Peabody Award is the eighth for Comedy Central. Other Peabody Award-winners for the #1 brand in comedy, which has received the honor for three consecutive years, include "South Park" (2006), "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (1994), "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist" (1999), and "DL Hughley: The Endangered List" (2012), along with multiple award-winners "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," (2000, 2004) and "The Colbert Report" (2007, 2011).
A record 46 recipients of the University of Georgia's 73rd Annual Peabody Awards were announced today on "CBS This Morning" and www.peabodyawards.com. The winners, chosen by the Peabody board from almost 1,100 entries, comprise the best in electronic media for the year 2013. The Peabody medallions will be formally presented on May 19 at a luncheon ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Ira Glass, host and producer of "This American Life," will be the emcee.
The Peabody Awards, the oldest in electronic media, are considered among the most prestigious and selective prizes. The Peabodys recognize excellence and meritorious work by radio and television stations, networks, webcasters, producing organizations and individuals. The 16-member Peabody Board is a distinguished panel of television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts. Selection is made by the Board following review by special screening committees of UGA faculty, students, and staff. For more information regarding the Peabody Awards program including a complete list of 2013 winners, visit www.peabodyawards.com.
Available on-air, online and on-the-go, Comedy Central (www.cc.com) is the #1 brand in comedy and is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA and VIAB).
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