The three-episode premiere of the new Hulu comedy Reboot is set for September 20th. Reboot is about the revival of a fictional early 2000s family sitcom called Step Right Up, and the reunion of its dysfunctional cast. The actual show boasts an all-star cast that includes Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville, Calum Worthy, Johnny Knoxville, Krista Marie Yu, Rachel Bloom, and Paul Reiser.
Reboot was created by Steven Levitan, who also created a number of hit sitcoms including ABC's Modern Family. Full of meta-commentary on the nature of the television industry as well as strong character-driven humor, Reboot looks to be a strong entry into the streaming world for Levitan, who has primarily worked on network shows in the past. Buoyed by its cast, Reboot is a hilarious and sharp look at television and the people behind it.
Keegan-Michael Key stars as Reed, one of the original cast of the in-universe show Step Right Up. Key is no stranger to portraying actors, as he has done so in numerous sketches on his hit show Key and Peele as well as in Don't Think Twice, comedian Mike Birbiglia's love letter to improv groups. Keegan-Michael Key spoke with Screen Rant about being a part of the show and improvising on set.
Keegan-Michael Key Talks Reboot
Screen Rant: I just spoke to Steven Levitan who said he talked to you about the show years ago, and even wrote Reed with you in mind. So, when something like that happens, how involved are you with shaping the character?
Keegan-Michael Key: Originally, I wasn't terribly involved. I let Steve do his thing, and come up with what he felt that the essence of Reed was. And I really feel for the most part that a lot of my job is to clarify and crystallize who that character is. Enhance who the character is. Sometimes, when you're doing that, other ideas spring up about what you feel that you can do, and what direction you want him to go in. That was the natural process, and that did happen. He was open to hearing ideas, and so I shared them.
And your character Reed loves to mention that he went to the Yale School of Drama, and he seems to be looking for depth even though he's acknowledged as this amazing comedian. As someone who is clearly an amazing comedian and very intentional, is that something that was easy to relate to for you?
Keegan-Michael Key: What I found so interesting about Reed is that it is this obliviousness to his - I don't know that I relate to it - but this obliviousness to his talent. To a natural knack for something he has. And I think it's interesting. He's like a cautionary tale for people, which is, "Accept what's in front of you." You know, he's on the show [Step Right Up] - like, clearly the show was a success. It was on for six years, and would have gone on for longer if he had not left it. And he had no awareness or sense of his actual innate talent. It was more important to him that people understand his pedigree than his actual innate gifts, which is, I think, a fascinating thing to do for a character. That they would be oblivious in that way.
And it looks like Reed and Judy Greer's character Bree are going to have some stuff going on. Without spoilers, is there anything you can hint at about that dynamic?
Keegan-Michael Key: Well, I think it's - instead of saying a "will-they-won't-they", to me, it's like a "can-they-will-they". It's "Can they reconnect in a way that's meaningful?" There is a wonderful dynamic between them because they work really well together, but they're allowing their history to get in the way of something that may or may not be inevitable. Is that vague enough?
You're obviously so steeped in improv and sketch. Is that a part of being on set in Reboot, or are you pretty much just going with the script?
Keegan-Michael Key: It is an aspect of Reboot. There is definitely an aspect of it, which is that sometimes, your mind - because if you're an improviser, your mind is kind of clicking fast - so there are times where you were ready to zig, and sometimes we've been given the luxury to say "Oh, can I just say this real quick, Steven? What if X, Y, and Z happened instead of L, M, N, O, P happened?" And oftentimes he'll be flexible enough to look at it and let us film it that way.
But for the most part, I would say the writing's so strong on this show... You want to live in a world of clarity. Just make the writing as clear and as dynamic as possible, and ride it. Ride the writing like wave, so that if there's some way that you can enhance it, go ahead. But when we do improvise, there's a very narrow lane that we're improvising in. We don't have to create the characters or create the situations. And when I say we, I'm speaking mostly for me and Rachel [Bloom] being the improvisers of the group.
About Reboot
Hulu reboots an early 2000’s family sitcom, forcing its dysfunctional cast back together. Now they must deal with their unresolved issues in today’s fast-changing world.
The series stars Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville, Paul Reiser, Rachel Bloom, Calum Worthy, and Krista Marie Yu.
Check out our other interviews for Reboot here:
The three-episode premiere of Reboot drops on Hulu on September 20th.