He would have made an amazing teacher. In less than less than 3 minutes he was able to articulate improvisation in a way that is easily accessible and makes so much sense. I hated improv for the longest time because I had shitty teachers who couldn't explain the simple concept of world-building and just ushered their students on stage and told them to be funny without sufficient explanation as to how that could be achieved. I'm starting to feel a lot more confident about performing improv after having listened to his thoughtful observations. Thanks, Keegan.

He just broke down or revealed the construction of such an iconic sketch. A lot of people like to say comedy is some mystical thing but it's such a careful manipulation of perception. It's painting with abstraction. So beautiful.

I love this perspective of "backing up" in a scene, to remove the need to think faster. Well put Keegan-Michael Key. Cheers!

Did improv for 5 years and that's the best synopsis I've ever heard.

I love his energy. He's always so enthusiastic and full of life.

That's so fuckin smart

This is perfection. What a well-spoken man too.

What a bright, articulate performer Key is. I've backed up and formed a wider world view of the talent he brings.

Love both Key and Peele, and particularly love Key and his commitment to improv. His explanation of what improv is (which he learned when he took improv) was taken from Keith Johnstone's book, "Impro," which I am sure Key is very familiar with. The quote is below, but Key clearly has internalized his understanding of improv and the possibilities it allows for - his basketball metaphor is a good one since improv is more akin to sports than anyone who's not an improviser realizes. He does it very well! Here's the Johnstone quote, "“The improviser has to be like a man walking backwards. He sees where he has been, but he pays no attention to the future. His story can take him anywhere, but he must still ‘balance’ it, and give it shape, by remembering incidents that have been shelved and reincorporating them. Very often an audience will applaud when earlier material is brought back into the story. They couldn’t tell you why they applaud, but the reincorporation does give them pleasure. Sometimes they even cheer! They admire the improvisor’s grasp, since he not only generates new material, but remembers and makes use of earlier events that the audience itself may have temporarily forgotten.”

I still say "A-a-ron" in my head, even if it's spelled "Erin..."

The way he explains that is just incredibly brilliant him and Jordan have incredible minds

I tried improv, it was the hardest thing, I just didn't have the stomach for learning in front of an audience. All I know is Key and Peele is the best.

I love these videos please stay forever

I enjoy most of these interviews but this counts as one of my favorites and undoubtedly one of Sam's best shows.

Look at this person right here. Full of energy and life, eager to explain his craft, proud to present his art. When you see him in sketches and videos you may think, "pff, another crazy loud person", but his way of thinking, his mindset, his simple, yet so informative narration. Such an inspiring point of view, for every creative job, from art , to design to web design really. He has a unique perspective that can be useful to anyone who designs, plans and narrates.

I want to hate him for being so much more knowledgeable than me and knowing it, but I just feel a preposterous amount of admiration for him. So great.

The Substitute is one of the funniest sketches in the history of funny sketches. It should be in the Library of Congress.

He's such an inspiring and effervescent speaker! As an improv performer, I love listening to him speak about improv and learning new techniques from him!!

This made too much sense. Like it blew my mind that I knew this already but I never really think about it

That sketch had me cracking up. A-Aron got me even more than all the other goofy ones, though, not sure why 😂

I feel like I just stumbled on something amazing here and I don't know who to tell first! This is ... a light bulb moment and really wonderful advice and perspective. I can't wait to try this and I don't even know where it will happen.

This explanation alone is motivation enough to just do improv. Like, ok, that looks fun as hell, why not?

Damn Keegan is an amazing teacher ... brilliant

Just watched the Jason Sudekis improv video. Second basketball connection in a row.

hahaha he's the best

That was so heat! Loved that metaphor. Backing up and playing off of something.

That is a BRILLIANT way to explain improv! Love it!

What a amazing human

YO Ba-la-kay! Brilliant segment.

What an incredible talent he is !! Keegan-Michael Key. Thank you!

Mesmerizing to watch.

I'm not even an actor but now I need to be at a masterclass led by him

Brilliant. Best description of improv I've ever heard.

What a fantastic teacher. Thanks Keegan!

Brilliant. Simple. Smart. From one of the nicest guys in the business too.

Genius! Thanks for that explanation Keegan-Michael Key!

Good video. I agree with what he said. I cant wait to see the entire interview.

Absolutely incredible. Love the work you guys do at OCS. Brilliant.

the most beautiful explenation of acting101. I salute you sir.

very insightful

what an amazing explanation! guy is a great teacher

To this day the Sub teacher skit is my all time favorite.

He's truly brilliant.

It's the easiest way someone can explain this concept & he's so passionate about it, I hope he has or would do a master class for improvisation/Acting

what a beautiful, pithy, and clear articulation of something so foreign to most.

such great advice...this was very helpful in deconstructing a sketch

What a delightful, enthusiastic conversationalist.

Hes amazing

That was phenomenal.

If anyone is interested, the quote is "Jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down". It's from Ray Bradbury, the famous American author. He was writing about creativity and putting effort into the elements of risk that make a career based on creativity happen.

I remember when i first started to get a sense of jumping off the cliff and figuring it out on my way down. It started off really as ways to boost the interest and fun of a conversation and i experimented... i got a sense one time i just jumped that i could say really awesome interesting witty or funny stuff by just jumping off and i was so suprsied and amused once i realized i was literally doing that.. jumping and free falling and letting things roll out!!! I then started to think about improv and thought improv may be even a better way to seriously go into this further.. i haven't but this interview makes me want to!!! Salute!

Genius explanation!

The dopest description of improv that I ever heard

Holy F I've never thought of it that way. That's amazing!

That is AMAZING!

This is amazing

Love improv and this was a great analogy.... I will use it on my videos for sure

absolutely fascinating.

He explained it so well

That is incredible

That was incredible !

He’s so good.

This is brilliant.

Incredible stuff!

Thank you for this, Mr Key. 👊🏽🔥

Magical.

I love Ke-aygon!

This makes me happy idk why

Incredible

What a great great description of the Substitute Teacher sketch

Wow, that was a fantastic analogy.

Great perspective

GENIUS

Brilliant!

Like Im mad how much sense that made.

This comes out June 23rd? I can't wait that long, people!!!

That was really friggin good.

I JUST LEARNED SO MUCH IN 3 MINUTES!

brilliant

what a blazing genius

One of the most versatile and creative comedic talents of our time 🙌🏻😁❤️💪🏻💯👏🏻 I also designed Rich Talarico’s website, luv Keegan gave him props here #familystyle

I'm in love

Pretty esoteric discussion and very, very interesting. I do stand up, not improv, and I would have explained the analogy as being akin to setting the audience expectations by erecting a court to play on, and then actually playing the game in the stands. No matter how you draw the analogy, though, humor involves upsetting the audiences expectations. No doubt Key has mastered the method.

Moral to the story Keegan has mastered improvisation, he broke that down eloquently 🙏

he really is vibrant and extremely articulate

he is just too cool

That is such good advice. Damn I wish I could use it.

Excelente!

that's awesome!

what a comedic genius. interview gervais, conan and CK too.

When I was in New York, I ran into Key, after I saw Dear Evan Hansen. He was just about to leave, and he still took the time to take a picture with me. He’s a very kind man!

wowowowowo this is awesome.

Hea such a cool guy.

awesome.

fucking brilliant... using this philosophy w/ music

It was genius how Key said that.

Going to a free improv class at Second City Chicago tomorrow!! I'm probably gonna suck...but hot pockets if I don't have a cowtowing rootin' beer blast while I'm a little teapot short stacking up my chances while slim.

OMG I finally get it!!!

I learned something new

Very clever