Robin Thede Made Comedy History… and Got Proposed to 5 Times?

Summary

Podcast Summary: “Robin Thede Made Comedy History… and Got Proposed to 5 Times?”

Podcast: Baby, this is Keke Palmer
Host: Keke Palmer
Guest: Robin Thede
Release Date: April 28, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this dynamic, laughter-filled episode, Keke Palmer sits down with the iconic comic, writer, actress, producer, and showrunner Robin Thede. Their conversation ranges from Robin's legendary career in comedy—including the creation of "A Black Lady Sketch Show"—to her personal history, philosophies, and, yes, the five marriage proposals she’s turned down. The episode delivers a candid, joyfully honest look at the cultural impact of Black women in entertainment, the meaning of representation, career reinvention, and the value of protecting one’s voice both professionally and personally.

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Main Themes & Purpose

• The cultural legacy and future of Black women in comedy
• Reinvention, risk-taking, and career longevity
• Navigating identity as a biracial woman in America
• The importance of representation and self-advocacy
• Relatability, boundaries, and humor in relationships and career
• Bringing nuance, magic, and reality to Black storytelling

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Career, Representation, and Astrological Synergy

[02:12-05:12]

• Robin shouts out Keke’s performance in the upcoming film “I Love Boosters,” highlighting the rarity and importance of creators (like Boots Riley) who give Black artists room to show range.
• Keke praises Robin for paving lanes for Black women to stretch their talent:
  “You’re somebody that’s always been able to craft that lane for black women to have the opportunity to show range.” – Keke Palmer [02:46]
• The duo connect over their zodiac placements, joking that Robin’s Leo-Virgo mix gives her both dazzle and groundedness.

Milestone Achievements & Representation in Media

[04:11-05:27]

• They celebrate Keke’s “The Burbs” hitting a billion minutes viewed on Peacock, discussing the disproval of myths around Black-led content and audience engagement:
  “A billion minutes, girl...But has that sunk in?” – Robin Thede [04:35]
  • Keke and Robin reflect on the cultural impact of being seen and breaking barriers.

How You Treat Service Workers: A Litmus Test

[05:42-06:40]

• Both agree that kindness, especially to service workers and kids, is a major test in relationships and friendships. Robin’s first job was at Chick-fil-A and she recalls the importance of treating all people with respect and dignity.

Black Family Roots & Identity

[17:56-22:47]

• Robin shares the influence of her biracial background and upbringing in Iowa and Chicago, including her parents’ approach to racial identity and realism about how the world would see her. “It was actually my white father who was like, ‘the world will see you as black.’” – Robin Thede [18:29]
• The nuances of growing up in multiracial households, the evolution of representation, and the distinctive experience of Black women are discussed in depth.

The Comedy of Quotes and Movie References

[07:16-16:12]

• Keke and her family’s love for quoting movies becomes a point of connection. Robin pitches a hypothetical game show, “Quote This,” to play on their shared talent for quoting pop culture, which they both enthusiastically support.

Breaking Into Comedy & Writing for Yourself

[23:31-28:13]

• Robin recounts her father naming her after Robin Williams and bonding over classic comedy from a young age.
• She details her journey through Second City and how learning to write for herself was a function of nobody else quite “getting” her comedic voice. “I just started acknowledging that I could write also. And that opened up a whole world for me that I didn’t know.” – Robin Thede [27:27]
• Both discuss the necessity—especially for Black women—of teaching others “how to write for you” and leaning into self-authorship.

Creating A Black Lady Sketch Show & Uplifting New Stars

[31:11-36:14, 34:51]

• Robin reflects on intentionally assembling a diverse, talented writing room and cast for “A Black Lady Sketch Show.”
• She recounts the story of bringing in Quinta Brunson, Sky Townsend, and others:
  “She was destined for mega star.” – Robin Thede on Quinta Brunson [35:05]
• Emphasis on authenticity, community, and forging genuine sisterhood.
• Robin and Keke bemoan how the comedic voices of women are still undervalued compared to men, sharing personal anecdotes about encountering bias.

Comedy as Cultural Commentary and Magic

[39:28-42:21]

• Robin discusses the universality of culturally specific comedy, and the importance of unapologetically centering Black experience:
  “I want to be very black and intentionally black. And then you come to us because it’s gonna be written well and you’re gonna laugh.” – Robin Thede [40:12]
• Both discuss the pressures (and joys) of “Black excellence,” and why it’s vital to leave room for whimsy, magic, and surrealism in Black storytelling: “If you check out at the grocery store, there might be a unicorn standing next to you…that’s the kind of magic I want.” – Robin Thede [41:47]

Writing for Others & The Science of Comedy

[43:55-46:23]

• Robin has written for comedy giants like Mike Epps, Anthony Anderson, and Chris Rock.
• She explains her method of analyzing comedians’ signature joke types and delivery—breaking down Keke’s comedic rhythm as well. “You have a vocal cadence that’s very specific and perfect for comedy. You know the rhythm of comedy.” – Robin Thede [45:13]

Legacy & Impact: From Personal to Political

[48:45-54:59]

• They discuss Robin’s mother’s historic election to the Iowa House of Representatives, the family’s dedication to service, and Robin’s own history-making as a late-night head writer and White House Correspondents’ Dinner writer.
• The importance of uplifting underrepresented voices—not out of tokenism, but genuine commitment to excellence:
  “I hire people because they’re good and because they’re Black…Both things can be true.” – Robin Thede [53:52]

Navigating AI and Media's Future

[62:12-65:32]

• Both address the challenges and biases of AI in entertainment and its implications for Black creatives, with Robin noting the risks of data mining and representation in tech-driven storytelling.

Relationship Talk: Robin’s 5 Marriage Proposals

[68:00-74:58]

• Robin divulges, for the first time, the stories of turning down five different marriage proposals—some funny, some wild, and some just not it. “I’ve been proposed to five times and I’ve said no five times.” – Robin Thede [68:54]
• She shares Whoopi Goldberg’s maxim as her relationship goal:
  “I don’t want nobody living in my house.” – Robin Thede quoting Whoopi [68:11]
• This sparks candid discussion about boundaries, self-awareness, and the expectations placed on women to be “fixers.”

Favorite Films, Black Joy & Pop Culture

[55:50-61:20]

• Robin lists her three favorite films: Coming to America, Boomerang, and The Princess Bride—with Keke matching her enthusiasm and sharing her own list.
• The importance of specificity and nostalgia in Black culture is celebrated.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the importance of self-promotion:
  “I always talk about you got to promote yourself. You know, I said Obama needs…my advice. I always thought he should brag more. Don’t let me be Barack Obama.” – Robin Thede [09:29]

• On comedy and family:
  “Me and my family—movies were our love language…we would do quotes, that was like our movie game.” – Keke Palmer [07:24]

• On women in comedy:
  “We still have people…come up and say, ‘I didn’t think women were funny, but you actually make me laugh.’” – Robin Thede [36:24]

• On magical surrealism in Black comedy:
  “There’s always that pressure for us to be the ‘Black girl magic.’ And it’s like, what if there’s magic around us and we’re just reacting to it?” – Robin Thede [41:48]

• On writing for Black comedians:
  “Now I can watch a comedian’s stand-up for ten minutes and I can write in their voice, because really, people only make three kinds of jokes.” – Robin Thede [44:15]

• On boundaries and relationships:
  “I don’t want nobody living in my house.” – Robin Thede quoting Whoopi Goldberg [68:11]
  “I’ve been proposed to five times and I’ve said no five times…by different five men.” – Robin Thede [68:54]

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Important Timestamps

• 02:30 – Keke and Robin discuss the importance of Black creators creating room for each other's talent
• 05:42 – The “service worker test” for relationships and character
• 17:56 – Robin unpacks biracial identity and her family’s approach to race
• 23:31 – Robin shares comedy origins, influence of her father and classic comedians
• 31:11 – Navigating the writer’s room and casting for “A Black Lady Sketch Show”
• 36:24 – The persistent undervaluation of women’s comedy
• 41:47 – Robin explains embedding magical realism in Black women’s narratives
• 44:07 – Writing jokes for major Black comedians, breaking down comedic structures
• 53:14 – Linking family’s service and her own “mission” through comedy and representation
• 62:12 – Discussing the impact and risks of AI on representation in the arts
• 68:00 – Robin’s five marriage proposals (complete with hilarious stories)
• 55:50 – Robin and Keke’s top three movies and the cultural importance of Black rom-coms

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Conclusion

This episode stands out for its electric chemistry, cultural intelligence, and the raw, supportive energy between Keke and Robin. The conversation fuses humor and serious insight about reinvention, legacy, identity, and the importance of building spaces—both comedic and real—where Black women and their stories are celebrated in all their dimensions.

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For More:
Follow @kekepalmerpodcast on Instagram & TikTok
Stream “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “The Burbs,” and more on your favorite platforms.
Check out Keke’s and Robin’s latest projects and stay tuned for potential future collaborations hinted at in this episode!

Transcript

[Keke Palmer]

Today's guest didn't just make us laugh. She changed the way comedy speaks. Robyn Thede is a true multi hyphenate comedian, writer, actor, executive producer and showrunner. And one of the first black women to host her own late night talk show, Head writer in late night television and the White House correspondent's dinner during the Obama administration. And then she had the audacity to create the Emmy winning a black lady sketch show, one of the most culturally defining sketch shows of our time. So get ready to laugh because baby, this is Keke Palmer. No matter what we doing in the car, just chilling, pop on Amazon music, sit back and listen. Life, love, sex, science, covering it all, especially the bad. Cause money always evolved. No matter what it is, we gonna make it make sense. Nothing else to do but kick it with the homies and kings. So grab you a drink and a snack you enjoy and get into the vibe that only wants you know it's your girl. This is Kiki. Baby, this is Kiki Palma. Yeah. Please welcome one of my faves, Robin Thede. Oh, girl, you look so good. Yes. Come on. Hair done, nails done, everything did okay. How you doing for my girl? You look so good. Boo. What where you been? You been in la? You been out of town? What's been through?

[Robyn Thede]

What do I do with this? How do mics work?

[Keke Palmer]

I've been.

[Robyn Thede]

No, I've been in and out. I've got some things in New York and some things here, but mostly on the west coast. Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

The last time I think I saw you, we were on the set of the boots movie. On I love boosters, which they don't know. I don't think they know much about like, you in there. So I'm just gonna keep it at that. Yeah, but we have fun.

[Robyn Thede]

So much fun.

[Keke Palmer]

I cannot wait till they see that cameo.

[Robyn Thede]

First of all, your performance.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God.

[Robyn Thede]

In I love boosters. The world is not ready. You. All the girls. All the girls. Naomi Taylor, Poppy. Poppy Lakeith the king. Don Cheadle, Demi Moore.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Robyn Thede]

Boots Riley.

[Keke Palmer]

He's the bomb. I really love him.

[Robyn Thede]

I'm such a Stan.

[Keke Palmer]

Me too.

[Robyn Thede]

Me too. And he's a good person.

[Keke Palmer]

He is. That counts.

[Robyn Thede]

It does. It does. But your performance. Oh, you know, he let me see some of it like way early on and I said, oh, I didn't. So like, we all know you have multiple gears. Oh, my God. But they not ready. You doing something you haven't done before.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God, I'm so hyped.

[Robyn Thede]

No, I'm So hyped. I can't wait. And yes, I have a little. I have a little thank thing that I do, but they'll see. It's so cool.

[Keke Palmer]

It's so cool because he gives us an opportunity, and I feel like you're the same way. Where people want to stretch and they want to do other things, but it's not. The material's not always there. That's right.

[Robyn Thede]

And I think you.

[Keke Palmer]

You're somebody that's always been able to craft that lane for black women to have the opportunity to show range. And so, yeah, anyway, I can't wait for people to check that out.

[Robyn Thede]

I can't either. I can't either.

[Keke Palmer]

Let's get into this pre show pull up.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh.

[Keke Palmer]

So let's get into the mind of Robin Feedy. So you're a Leo, and I feel like I knew that, period. Are you a early August Leo?

[Robyn Thede]

I'm a July Leo.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, July Leo.

[Robyn Thede]

27th July Leo.

[Keke Palmer]

But your sun is a Leo, your moon is a Leo, and then your rising is a Virgo.

[Robyn Thede]

Period.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl. Do you feel any of that Virgo energy? Are you really?

[Robyn Thede]

Very much. Whenever I hear you talk about it. Cause you are the queen. You're the queen. Well, you and Beyonce. I gotta give it to y'. All. Oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

But you know Michael, too. He's a.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. Yes. You know, yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Kobe Bryant. We've got a list.

[Robyn Thede]

No, you guys have a lot.

[Keke Palmer]

But so do you Leos. I mean, Barack Obama.

[Robyn Thede]

Hello, Leo. I think Maya Rudolph and I have the same birthday with J. Lo. May.

[Keke Palmer]

I love Maya. And I Love me some JLo. I love Leos. Because you guys are fierce. A stunt queen.

[Robyn Thede]

But Virgos are fierce with grounding. Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Analytical and smart. And, like, I call all my Virgo friends or turn on my Virgo rising whenever I need to, like, break down a situation.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. We don't have all the pizzazz as Leos a lot of times. So that's why we need y'.

[Robyn Thede]

All.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, Leo and Virgo together. Perfect match.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

What are you most grateful for today seeing my friend Keke? I am.

[Robyn Thede]

I get so excited whenever I see her, you know?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, girl, same.

[Robyn Thede]

I get so excited when I see.

[Keke Palmer]

We always be like, girl. Cause you know, we don't care what our face do.

[Robyn Thede]

No, but wait. I've been meaning to say something to you.

[Keke Palmer]

Tell me.

[Robyn Thede]

One billion minutes. Minutes of viewing. Are you kidding me? Girl, are you serious?

[Keke Palmer]

I didn't even know we could do that many minutes.

[Robyn Thede]

I didn't know we could do that many minutes either.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, come on.

[Robyn Thede]

A billion minutes.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm gagged, I'm gooped.

[Robyn Thede]

But they don't watch us.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

Said who?

[Keke Palmer]

Come on.

[Robyn Thede]

A billion minutes, girl. A billion. But has that sunk in?

[Keke Palmer]

It has not. Honestly. Like, I keep, like, you know, people are putting the.

[Robyn Thede]

Mention the burbs, obviously. Your premiere on Peacock, the biggest premiere they've ever had. A billion viewing minutes in the first, what hour?

[Keke Palmer]

They said like 10 days. They said, like the first 10 days.

[Robyn Thede]

That's crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm shocked. I'm just so grateful. And again, it's to your. What you think, what you just said, which is. It disproves things.

[Robyn Thede]

Thank you.

[Keke Palmer]

Where it's like, oh, we're not being watched. Or, you know, whatever you think when it comes to people of color on screen. And so I love that because then it becomes a. It becomes a radiating factor.

[Robyn Thede]

I hope so.

[Keke Palmer]

I do too.

[Robyn Thede]

Because they love to forget. But, you know, I'm so proud of you.

[Keke Palmer]

Thank you so much.

[Robyn Thede]

I'm just so proud of every turn, every choice. You're doing everything right, babe.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, girl. And I feel like we both are always stretching wherever we can go. It's like, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that, you know, because why not?

[Robyn Thede]

And also because these bills don't stop.

[Keke Palmer]

Come on now. That's the truth. We wanna have a good life. Comfortable. A relationship or friendship. Non negotiable. For you. How you treat service workers, kids, others.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. How you treat other people, but especially people you think are working for you. You know, I worked in fast food, honey. My first job was at Chick Fil A. Like, oh, my gosh.

[Keke Palmer]

Shout out that. Yes, we love it.

[Robyn Thede]

But people treated me horrible. Giving out them samples at the mall, baby.

[Keke Palmer]

Wow. But that is true. I've actually been around people and I've seen they did something and I've become disgusted.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, I don't like that.

[Keke Palmer]

I never turned on somebody so fast.

[Robyn Thede]

Me too.

[Keke Palmer]

You know what I mean?

[Robyn Thede]

Me too. I cannot stand if somebody, you know, or they're like, talking to the waitstaff. Maybe they're not treating them bad, but they're talking to them like they're dumb.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I don't like that. No, it's disgusting. And I've actually happened to me in the reverse before where I thought maybe somebody was a little bit stiff. But then I seen the way that they treat people around them and I was like, oh, no, I've misread you because you actually love. You take care of Your people. So it is. I do think that's a great litmus test.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Like how people treat the folks around them. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

And kids.

[Keke Palmer]

And kids.

[Robyn Thede]

It's very important to me. Listen, don't let nobody be mean, Leo.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl. Literally, I think about this a lot because it gets to the point where it's like, you know, we've been places and, you know, some of the little. You know, they get into stuff and you've got to really calm. That's like a big thing for a mom. Like having to calm yourself. Because it's like you cannot protect. You know, your baby has to learn, especially with other kids, that fire comes out. But that fire, I'll be ready to go to war. I'll be feeling like Denzel Washington with my son.

[Robyn Thede]

My son.

[Keke Palmer]

That's how I feel, girl. Where it's like, suddenly we're in John Q. And I'm ready to blow up the bank. Yes.

[Robyn Thede]

I feel like your neck. Okay. Everyone knows you do all these impressions or whatever, but what they don't talk about is the quotes that you remember.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God. You are a quote queen, girl. Do you know that? Me and my family. So we love our movies. Were our love language.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Even when we drove to California four days and three nights, we would do quotes that was like our movie game. We'd be like, what movie this from? And. And do the line. And they were like, we gotta guess. Yes. We used to play.

[Robyn Thede]

There's your next game show.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh.

[Robyn Thede]

Quote this girl. Posted by Keke Palmer.

[Keke Palmer]

Wait a minute. And it has cards that go with it. Yes. Oh, girl. Yes. Are we doing the game show together?

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. Let's do it.

[Keke Palmer]

And that's perfect for us. Cause we love improv already.

[Robyn Thede]

I know. Uh.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, come on, peacock. Billion more minutes right there. They gotta give us that.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, wait, you have. Oh, yes. The Brandon. What's the Tebow?

[Keke Palmer]

What's the T? Boo.

[Robyn Thede]

That video.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. So gaggy, so campy. You know, I live for a camp moment, baby. Let me through.

[Robyn Thede]

I'll be throwing my computer looking at you.

[Keke Palmer]

What's a question you wished you were asked more in interviews? Honestly?

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, I think I have no idea.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. No clue why?

[Robyn Thede]

I don't know. People have asked lots of things.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't know.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

What do you want to be asked?

[Keke Palmer]

You know, I think I used to always want somebody to ask. Like, it's not really something that they can ask, but I would want them to find a way to talk about who I am outside of the characters, you know, because even like Keke Palmer can be a bit of a character, you know, it's like, it's just like, you know. But there are other things that I'm thinking about. There are ways that I'm structuring and being, you know, the architecture of my career. I used to always want to talk about that kind of thing, you know, because a lot of times as a talent, which I don't know if you feel this way because, you know, I think people probably do see the architect that you bring as a writer as, you know, you come in with all that stuff not even just for yourself, you know what I mean? That's gotten more important to me as I've gotten older, because it's not like I'm just gagging out. It's like I cared about this.

[Robyn Thede]

I've put, you're a producer, you're a director, you're all of these things. Exactly.

[Keke Palmer]

I used to always want people to ask that.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, well, I talk about it. So I don't need people to ask.

[Keke Palmer]

And that's like a key, you know,

[Robyn Thede]

I think it's like, Gary, I'm recklessly confident. The book I'm writing is called Reckless Confidence. And I always talk about, you gotta promote yourself. You know, I said Obama needed. Cuz Barack Obama needs my advice. I always thought he should brag more. Don't let me be Barack Obama.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, because Barack doesn't really brag that much now that I'm going back into it.

[Robyn Thede]

No, every now and then he'll give you a little. A little cheeky something. Yeah, but he just did it. If I had killed Osama bin Laden.

[Keke Palmer]

That's the brag, girl.

[Robyn Thede]

Girl. I never let him forget.

[Keke Palmer]

God, that is. I never let him forget. That is too funny. Someone you've met that made you feel starstruck. Angela Bassett, Patti LaBelle, Whoopi Goldberg.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, come on, Whoopi. Can we just like Sister Act 2? I mean, Sister Act 1 was good, but like, that was the whole.

[Robyn Thede]

No, it gave us what we needed.

[Keke Palmer]

Very rarely is a sequel better than

[Robyn Thede]

the Very Whoopie do the Godfather and Sister Act. That's it.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, come on. And Patty. Angela Basset, also one of my all time favorites.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, girl, I know people talk about this all the time, but you are Angela Basset, Whitney Houston and Lucille Ball all in one.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Lucille Ball. I loved her growing up. Oh, my gosh. I watched her. I watched I Love Lucy all the time.

[Robyn Thede]

You have reincarnated as all of These women, some of them are still alive, obviously. But it's just so funny how you give us all of that, and I just love that. But you and Angela together are very funny, and I love what you guys have done together. Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Because it's like, we only did that movie when I was 11.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't even mean that. Y' all have done little interviews and stuff that kill me.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God.

[Robyn Thede]

I'm like, are you looking in a mirror?

[Keke Palmer]

So look, I was at ABFF with her just recently, and I'm doing her introduction for her to receive this award for being the amazing icon she is.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Make a long story short, she comes up, she accepting the ward, and she's talking to all of us. And then she does this thing where she says, like, young people. I think the line is, like, young people, your voices matter. But she turns dead around and looks at me. She's like, young people, your voices matter. And when I tell you I suddenly felt this is. My face literally did this. Like, I suddenly felt like I suddenly mattered.

[Robyn Thede]

I matter today.

[Keke Palmer]

I matter. I turned into mattering.

[Robyn Thede]

But that is what Angela Bassett will do.

[Keke Palmer]

Why would she ever. She literally. Young people, your voices matter. I was like, oh, I met her.

[Robyn Thede]

I met her, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

No.

[Robyn Thede]

When we had her on a black lady sketch show.

[Keke Palmer]

It's so crazy.

[Robyn Thede]

She did the same thing to me. So she's sitting down now. We have her in a sketch called the Bad Bitch Support Group, because she's the baddest thing.

[Keke Palmer]

I think I've actually seen that.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. And so she. She's sitting between takes, and she reaches into. She has, like, a bag or something, and she's pulls out a tiny little bag of almonds.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, yes.

[Robyn Thede]

Four almonds in the bag. You know about the bag.

[Keke Palmer]

She's very healthy.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah. Very healthy.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

And I said, oh, four almonds. And she goes, it's all I'm allowed. He's like, what? She goes, just kidding. She's like, I'm not on a diet. I'm just. I don't know if she was or not, but it was so I was like, I need to only eat four almonds.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

That's not all she ate in a day, but she kept it. It kept her energy up through the day.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. So she's always been so. I mean, even when you think about her and what's love got to do with it, she's really been on the fitness style. I got a groove, you know.

[Robyn Thede]

Sure.

[Keke Palmer]

Body's always been something we've marveled at, but the Four almond things. It's like when I was. I started working with a fitness instructor. That's one of the main things that they taught me. It's right before you eat, like, you. You before almonds about it, like, helps you so you don't overeat. It just, like, helps you. It's like a little snack thing. Anyway, well, you know, the four all secrets of it. Never forget of the icons. What's a mantra you live by, and why you never know what people are going through. So. So watch your mouth.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

A lot of people not watching their mouth right now.

[Robyn Thede]

A lot of people not watching their mouth.

[Keke Palmer]

I need them to watch it.

[Robyn Thede]

They need to watch their mouth and their typing fingers.

[Keke Palmer]

And that's really what I mean. Because why do you get online and be somebody you're not in real life? Are you a catfish of the mouth? Yeah. Cause y' all get up there. They get up there, so.

[Robyn Thede]

Well, catfishes have big mouths.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. They do. It makes you scared when you look, you'll be like, well, I'm eating that.

[Robyn Thede]

They be like, yeah, you shouldn't be eating catfish anymore.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't think they're scary.

[Robyn Thede]

Whiskers. Why do you have whiskers?

[Keke Palmer]

You're a dog. And you know what? Eels are also quite scary. But that sushi.

[Robyn Thede]

The eel sushi is good.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, I ain't lying. But they look scary if you look at them.

[Robyn Thede]

Well, just chop them up, and then we don't have to worry about it. But the. So the thing about that is, I remember someone. This is gonna be sad, but it's a good lesson. It's not that sad. But, you know, people always like to comment on weight loss or whatever, and people be like, oh, okay, snatch. You look good skinny. And then I remember watching someone do that to someone, and the person was like, well, I've been sick. And I'm like, no, no, no, no. Watch him out.

[Keke Palmer]

Are you there?

[Robyn Thede]

You never know what people are going through.

[Keke Palmer]

When people tell me sometimes sad stuff, I do laugh because I think that that's how deep the comedy are. That's why I warned you.

[Robyn Thede]

Cause I knew you were gonna, girl. But that is crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

That is crazy. Well, I've been sick. And that bitch knew she ate with that. Well, I've been sick, so watch your mouth. Like, come on. You know what that reminds me of? I don't know if you've seen Fresh Prince of Bel Air. They had George Jefferson, Tommy Hemsley. Thank you. He was on there. And I think it was when Aunt Viv was pregnant. And he was like, viv, you put on the pounds. You need to lay off the beer. And she was like, I'm pregnant. He was like, you really need to lay off the beer. That's so stupid.

[Robyn Thede]

That's so dumb. These are the quotes I'm talking about, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I live for.

[Robyn Thede]

These are the quotes. You know what one of my favorite ones is? This is so random.

[Keke Palmer]

Tell me.

[Robyn Thede]

So227 had jack eggs. Sandra Clark on.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, good old Sandra.

[Robyn Thede]

And she was doing the speed round, you know, at the end of Family Feud. And they were like, name a type of man that you'd like.

[Keke Palmer]

And she was like a rich man.

[Robyn Thede]

And then they were like, name a type of something something. Every answer was a man. She was like, oh, name your biggest fear.

[Keke Palmer]

A broke man.

[Robyn Thede]

And then they were like, I don't know why that made me laugh, but every answer was a man.

[Keke Palmer]

It's her delivery.

[Robyn Thede]

It's her delivery.

[Keke Palmer]

Her delivery. What an icon. I love Jenny.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, I starstruck by her too. Because we got to do 227 the Lost episodes. We used to do a live show called the Lost Episodes with Amber Ruffin and Danielle.

[Keke Palmer]

I love Amber Ruffin. Very talented.

[Robyn Thede]

Very talented.

[Keke Palmer]

Congrats on Bigfoot. Thank you.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. I'm co producing a musical she wrote. Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Bigfoot, you said? It's kind of like a Samlot meets spam lot. Excuse me. Samoa.

[Robyn Thede]

It's very campy, very silly. But it also talks about being othered, you know, in a fun way. And the cast is very diverse. It's great. Yeah, she's amazing.

[Keke Palmer]

Amazing. Well, first of all, wait, you just got a puppy named Jack? Full name Michael Jackson thede.

[Robyn Thede]

Period.

[Keke Palmer]

Period. I mean. And he's the love of your life. Have you always been an animal lover? Yeah. This is your very first dog?

[Robyn Thede]

This is my first dog on my own. Thank you. Thank you for bringing it up. He's all I want to talk about, actually. That should have been the question I want to be asked in interviews. Right. He's. I'll give you lots of pictures to show, video, whatever you need. He's a mini goldendoodle and he's just the sweetest thing. And I think for me, I'm a little bit allergic, but. Cause we grew up with dogs, you

[Keke Palmer]

know, I'm a little bit allergic. It's crazy.

[Robyn Thede]

That's like saying I'm a little bit pregnant.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, huh, girl, are you or not?

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah. I can't breathe. But no, he's. We grew up with Dogs. We grew up with dogs. And even a cat when we were growing up. We had fish. We had lots of animals in the house. But yeah, I finally had a minute to just kind of slow down. And I got my little puppy.

[Keke Palmer]

He's my little man. What kind of pup is it?

[Robyn Thede]

He's a mini Goldendoodle. So he's like £20. Yeah, he'll get to be about 25, but he's. He's the best. He's the love of my life. I'm a crazy dog, Mom.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. What does that consist of?

[Robyn Thede]

I had a large portrait commissioned of his likeness that is now in my

[Keke Palmer]

bathroom on the floor. I feel like your house has amazing aesthetics. It does, yeah. Like, I do feel like. Like I would.

[Robyn Thede]

Very calm.

[Keke Palmer]

Very.

[Robyn Thede]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

It's very. So not a lot of. Like, I felt that maybe there would be some abstract pieces in there.

[Robyn Thede]

There are.

[Keke Palmer]

Right, right, right.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

I feel I'll just be waiting on my invitation. I'll tell you guys all about it many times. Many Times now on NPR's Bullseye. You recalled your parents saying, yes, you have a black parent and a white parent, but the world will see you as black. And I've heard this something similar with. Even with Halle Berry when she speaks about her growing up. But it's obviously not probably every biracial person situation. Right. But I'm wondering how that helped you or served you, you know, growing up. And even now I got a black

[Robyn Thede]

mama from the west side of Chicago. So come on, Shytara.

[Keke Palmer]

She like, baby, right? You're black.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah. You know, it was actually my white father who was like, the world will see you as black. Like, when he would take us to the grocery store, people are like, is this your father? You know? Cause we were big kids with big fro's back then.

[Keke Palmer]

And like, oh, my God.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, it was, you know, he had three girls. He had three. He has three black girls he had to care about. And he knew what the world was gonna be, you know.

[Keke Palmer]

Where's he from?

[Robyn Thede]

He's from Iowa.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, cool.

[Robyn Thede]

So my mom's from the west side of Chicago. She met my father in Iowa in college. And then they've been together 50 some odd years now. Girl, it's crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

That's such a blessing.

[Robyn Thede]

It is a blessing, but I feel like it's unrealistic now.

[Keke Palmer]

I do, too. Cause I also have parents that have been married for over 30 years. And it's like, they set me up for failure, sister.

[Robyn Thede]

100%.

[Keke Palmer]

They make that look too easy. You can't even find a friend for 50 years. Girl, like, what?

[Robyn Thede]

Girl? It's crazy. It's crazy. There's no way. The world is not. Relationships are different. Women have too many options. Men have too many options. It's just different.

[Keke Palmer]

The options are optioning, but it's like how you know them. Options want you. Slow down, boo.

[Robyn Thede]

Hello. You know, it's just the idea that they have them, it's crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

It's crazy. But growing up in Iowa, it must have been unique because there's not a lot of black folks there.

[Robyn Thede]

You'd be surprised. There's more than you would think. But once I left, now there's none.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm happy mowing. I'm happy.

[Robyn Thede]

They're only really in a couple places. And we were in one of the cities. But, you know, the great thing is I grew up in the Quad Cities. I grew up in Davenport, Iowa, outside of Chicago, about two and a half hours.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

So we would go to the south side of Chicago to my grandmother's house every summer. So, you know, 68th and Oglesby raised me as much as Davenport, Iowa.

[Keke Palmer]

And Chicago in the summer is lit.

[Robyn Thede]

So lit.

[Keke Palmer]

It's so lit.

[Robyn Thede]

That was back when you didn't have to pay to go to the Taste.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Good old Taste of Chicago.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, Blues Fest, Jazz Fest. We.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh, up at the lake,

[Robyn Thede]

museums, up at the lake, everything. So, yeah, that was. That helped, I think, a lot in that.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

But I think my parents were just very realistic, you know, about what the world was gonna be for us. And, you know, it's different now. I feel like kids have. I don't know, growing up, they really, like, I never would have been like, I'm biracial. But I mean, I guess now there's

[Keke Palmer]

so much visibility for the biracial perspective. I'm not biracial, so I don't know what it would be like. But I do know growing up, they used to act like Tia Tamara wasn't biracial. You know, back then, that was. That's why that was the whole, they're adopted. And then Tim Reed and Jack A. Was. You know what I mean? And only in the.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, I just thought they were light. Supposed to be light skinned on the show.

[Keke Palmer]

Exactly, exactly. So now in this generation, we actually do speak a little bit more to, like, the fact that, yeah, people can be mixed, you know, and.

[Robyn Thede]

But what is that like? Like, I've had people be like, why don't you really talk about your white side? And I was like, so here's how the genetics work.

[Keke Palmer]

You.

[Robyn Thede]

You don't have sides.

[Keke Palmer]

Right.

[Robyn Thede]

I'm not cut in half.

[Keke Palmer]

Right.

[Robyn Thede]

But yeah, I mean, I don't. I think I've very. Been very intentional about, you know, black women centering black women in my work. And I think that's. Cause my mom. I just love my mother. I love my sisters. Like, I grew up in a house of. And a family of women my mom came from. Six kids and two sets of twins. All these girls, like, just. I don't know. I think black women have been such a cornerstone for me that I don't. I mean, it's not like I haven't had positive white women influences in my life, but all the real maternal people in my life were always that. And so. Which is never a question.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. I also think in general, whether it's black, whether it's biracial, we're not a monolith, so our experiences are our experiences. They don't always, like, you're not gonna always. Even a full black woman ain't gonna always be centering black conversations. That just doesn't happen.

[Robyn Thede]

Or not in America, like we all do. There was slavery. Yeah. Like, yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Everybody got something somewhere. Nobody's 100 something at least. I don't know. I don't know.

[Robyn Thede]

Not in this country. But I always think it's interesting too, because when people go, so you're biracial? And I go, I guess. I guess I've always just said black. So.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I don't know. And I think that is like. Like you said, like, times change.

[Robyn Thede]

Times change.

[Keke Palmer]

The conversations around what we speak to and, you know, I mean, but the one drop rule, that's like, you know, it's like all those things, that's what

[Robyn Thede]

I grew up knowing about. So I think, yeah, if I was younger. I mean, I am very young.

[Keke Palmer]

Very.

[Robyn Thede]

God. Don't like ugly. That's how the mic broke.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm howling.

[Robyn Thede]

I said I'm very young.

[Keke Palmer]

It be like that, girl. I'm still questioning. Could I play a college student still?

[Robyn Thede]

You definitely could, girl. You definitely could.

[Keke Palmer]

I'll start. I'll be. I'll get a different posture. I'll do whatever it has to take. That's my young face.

[Robyn Thede]

Wait, hold on. Let me do my young face.

[Keke Palmer]

Wait, wait. Bright eyed, bushy tail that gave. Bright eyed, bushy tail that gave.

[Robyn Thede]

Crazy stalker.

[Keke Palmer]

So when I read that your father named you after Robin Williams.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

It became so clear because, I mean, you grew up watching Robin Williams. Like, you grew up watching snl, Living Color with your dad. I could totally. I mean, that's like the birth of Robin Thede. Tell me what it was like growing up, sharing those moments with your dad.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, he's always been a big comedy fan. Definitely got me into it way too early. Like we were watching Stand Ups and.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Saturday Night Live and Robin Williams. I mean, just all this. Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder.

[Keke Palmer]

Gene Wilder. I love Jerry Lewis.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, listen, listen. All of that and all the physical comedians and all the, you know, I love Robert Townsend, I love, obviously all the Wayans. But by the time they came around, I was already like, so versed in Mel Brooks and Monty Python and all this stuff because of my dad, but also Richard Pryor and, you know, Flip Wilson.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

Moms Mabley. Like, he gave me an education so early. So early. And I didn't realize it was that. I just thought it was fun and funny. So, yeah, I definitely. He trained me up early.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that. Was it at that young age that you thought you. Cause, I mean, there were a lot of women. Right. But I still feel like not really. Not really. When did you think it could be a career for you to pursue?

[Robyn Thede]

Like, actually, you know, I started shooting sketches before YouTube with my sister when we were in school. And like, we didn't even know what we were making. But as it kind of. As I got in high school and then to college, I started a sketch group at Northwestern where I went, called out the Box. That's still there years later. And I think for me, I was like, okay, this could be something. You know, I think Saturday Night Live and Limit Color helped me see if that could be something. But there weren't a lot of us. That's why I'm such a fan of Kim Wayans and Whoopi Goldberg. Right. Her characters in her one woman show. Like, all you need is a couple things to show you, you know, just a little peephole of light.

[Keke Palmer]

Yep.

[Robyn Thede]

So those women were that for me, for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that. I mean, then you went to Second City, Chicago.

[Robyn Thede]

Yep.

[Keke Palmer]

What did that experience teach you about building characters?

[Robyn Thede]

And well, now I was like, oh, okay. Like, the Hustle is real. You gotta know so many different characters and be able to hop in and out of all this stuff. And I was doing eight shows a week and like, just kind of the Hustle, I think of it, and making no money, you know. And I think it really solidified for me that I was doing the right thing for my passion, you know, which is good.

[Keke Palmer]

It also is Very prestigious. So was there any. The process of getting there and staying there? And you know, I got lucky.

[Robyn Thede]

I got scouted because of the. There were a black woman, Diana Griffin, who came and Griffith, sorry. Who came and saw me at Northwestern in my sketch show. And then she said, you need to come to Second City. And I was like, great. And so she gave me a scholarship because I definitely couldn't afford it. And I started learning with these icons and then just really learn the history of the place and the belushies. I mean, John Candy and just all these amazing. And then Tina Fey was already gone and on to snl. But all those kinds of folks just blew me away. And so, yeah, I think it just opened up the world for me and showed me that there was a path.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. You've said that you really started writing because nobody could ever write for you.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

When did that moment click for you and unlock that? You had to.

[Robyn Thede]

So when I was creating characters, I would always create characters from when I was a little kid. Right. And so. Or mimic people I saw on tv. I feel like I've heard you say this same.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm the exact same.

[Robyn Thede]

Teaches you that mimicry kind of and those impressions. But I think for me, I started getting an audience from some of that. But it was the characters that were most successful and most funny were the ones that I was creating their voices. And whenever somebody tried to write for me, it just didn't feel. It wasn't nailing what I was trying to express in that character.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

You know, so. Yeah, so then I just started acknowledging that I could write also. And that opened up a whole world for me that I didn't know.

[Keke Palmer]

Now that you have a very well established brand, do you feel like it's easier? Like you've been able to teach people how to work with you and they've come with better. You know what I mean? Oh, no.

[Robyn Thede]

Now I'm blessed to be around some of the greatest writers in Hollywood. Like I've been so lucky. I mean the women who came through Black lady sketch show alone. But even writers on my late night show Z Way and like Alex English and you know, all these amazing people. Lauren Ashley Smith who came and worked on Sketcho with us too. I mean, just.

[Keke Palmer]

I don't know.

[Robyn Thede]

I. Yeah, no, I just think I needed to be exposed to better writers. You know, when I was in college, we were all still figuring it out.

[Keke Palmer]

Sure, sure. I always ask that too because I think when people are finding out, building their brand, one thing that I always do say Is like, sometimes, like, even if they're talented people, sometimes, especially as a person of color, people don't know your voice.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, well, that's true.

[Keke Palmer]

You know what I mean?

[Robyn Thede]

That is still true, for sure.

[Keke Palmer]

And so with digital, that was one of the main. Like, now whenever I do a. Whenever I do a partnership, they're talking to me the way that I've showed them how to talk to me. They'll be like, kiki, we live for you. Like, the gag is we want to work with you. And it's like, okay, this is a click for me.

[Robyn Thede]

But also, slow down with all the catchphrases. Like, I'm also a person.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, you're our girl. They do girl.

[Robyn Thede]

I know it isn't. I know it isn't Kiki.

[Keke Palmer]

They literally. It's literally girl. And. But it's interesting because I think, oh, it's so interesting, though, because it really. I think it's a true thing for anybody that's defining their voice. Like, yeah, lean in and do it yourself. Because then it gives people the understanding of how to work with you.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, I think so. And I think, I guess my answer to that question was I get to

[Keke Palmer]

hire people, which is a blessing, who

[Robyn Thede]

can get my voice. But. But no, I will say that when I am, like, guest starring on something or. Or like we talked about, I love boosters Boots. Riley calls me and says, I have this cameo for you. I want you to come do it. He was like, do you want me to send you the sides? And I said, no, just describe it to me. And he described it to me and I go, great. I don't need the script. And so, because I trust him, anything he writes is going to be absolutely genius, you know, so. And I'm a fan of writers. I'm such a fan of writers.

[Keke Palmer]

I'd also imagine that when you get into a role, people probably are like, just improv. Do you love that all the time or you hate that?

[Robyn Thede]

No, I love it.

[Keke Palmer]

You love it, right? Because it's like, just do your thing.

[Robyn Thede]

Because I love my writing and I feel like, yeah, I'm good. No, I feel like. Like I'm gonna give it to you. You know what I mean? So, yeah, I do think people, even on, like, when I presented award shows, they're like, do you wanna write it or do you want us to write the copy? And I'm like, take a stab at it. But I'm gonna have notes. But sometimes I don't. Sometimes they're great. Because like you said, somebody gets it. Or they've hired a black lady or somebody who gets it.

[Keke Palmer]

What is your process when you're getting ready to do, you know, a hosted show? And obviously they do always have like some, like the little thing. Do you, you know what, what's your process of finding what you're gonna say? Do you think about it that day of like, oh, this happened in the news. I'm gonna add that in. Or this is happening in culture. How do you define what you're gonna personality you're gonna bring to a host a show?

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, if I'm hosting and I have to do a monologue.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

I try to be as. As up to the minute as possible on the jokes. For sure. If it's airing live, you always have to consider the room. You know, if I'm doing. If I'm hosting the TCA Awards versus, like, I just hosted ebony's Power Gala. And that was amazing. But, you know, you kind of tailor it.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

For the room.

[Keke Palmer]

But, you know, so you're a comedian, actor, writer, producer, executive producer, and one of the first black women to host a late night talk show.

[Robyn Thede]

Crazy.

[Keke Palmer]

Was becoming a multi hyphenate. Intentional or necessary or both?

[Robyn Thede]

Both.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, both.

[Robyn Thede]

Would you want to host a late night talk show?

[Keke Palmer]

Girl, I would live. That got so. I feel like God jumped in.

[Robyn Thede]

I know, right?

[Keke Palmer]

It got so spacious in the room for this moment.

[Robyn Thede]

I just, I'm like. Cause I'm. I was. I was going through my Rolodex of all of your work, and I know you did the, you know, you did the reboot of. You did Teen Summit, right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we did. I did just Kiki, which was very much in the frame. It was inspired by Teen Summit, without a doubt.

[Robyn Thede]

But I was like, have you done. I mean, you've. You've done Password and all the, you know, all the game shows, but I'm like, why don't you. Is it just scheduling?

[Keke Palmer]

Like, you know what? It's just never happened. But I do feel like culturally you must have asked. You would be something like O Hall.

[Robyn Thede]

You would be fantastic, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

And I imagine, like, if I did something late night, I would also want it to be like, I would want like a little black lady sketch show, like a little In Living Color. Like, I would want like. Like, who are they? Get whatever you wanted. You know, who are the young comedian people that we can do introduce, you know what I'm saying? What would that look like? Cause we don't have nothing like that. We don't have no Def Comedy Jam. We don't have nothing that's comedy centered, but it's like, hey, what's up? Let's get into it. You know, we could show some newcomers, then we could do a sketch, and then we could wrap it up.

[Robyn Thede]

Told you. You already know what it is.

[Keke Palmer]

We know what it is.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, we do.

[Keke Palmer]

They heard it here first.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, I'm there, girl. I just feel like you unfortunately cannot be 10 people. And I know you have to shoot movies and shoot TV shows, but I'm like, what a gift for you to be in our homes for late night. I think you would save late night, girl. Stop a lot of white men getting fired. So

[Keke Palmer]

you give me so much life. Too much life.

[Robyn Thede]

No, I'm telling you, this ain't a compliment such as facts. I know how to find stars.

[Keke Palmer]

Well, you. I mean, that's.

[Robyn Thede]

I've been known for making them, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Black lady sketcher. Let's talk about the Quinta Brunson of it all. I just have to go to there now because of what you just said. Baby. This is Icky Palma. Yeah,

[Robyn Thede]

spring just slid into your DMs. Grab that boho look for that rooftop dinner. Those sandals that can keep up with you. And hang some string lights to give your patio a glow up. Spring's calling, Ross. Work your magic.

[Keke Palmer]

Do you hear that, baby? A warm getaway must be calling my name because spring has officially sprung. We're saying bye bye to endless winter layers and hello to sunny beach season. I finally have a little time off coming up, and with my crazy schedule, that's rare. So I'm thinking of a long weekend escape with my family. The question is, coastal Santa Barbara vibes or desert stay in Palm Springs? All I know is that when I'm planning a trip, booking a stay on Airbnb just makes everything easier. I just love having a whole house to ourselves. We can each have our own space. No cramped hotel rooms to worry about and come together for fun movie marathons or epic game nights in the living room. Everyone can be as loud as they want because things can get competitive, y'. All. And let's face it, a meal is better shared around a table than a bed. Especially when it's my dad's cooking. But here's the real magic we get to play. Locals wandering through neighborhood parks and popping into all the best family owned, under the radar restaurants on the recommendations of our lovely super host. Mm. You already know I love a good food tour moment. So if you're planning spring or summer getaways with your favorite people, Find a stay on airbnb. Trust me, that home away from home feeling can't be topped

[Robyn Thede]

now. I didn't have nothing to do with her being great. She was great. When she came to me and did me a favor coming onto the show, oh, my God. So I just texted her and said, just come shoot this show episodes. It's on hbo. She was like, okay.

[Keke Palmer]

Like.

[Robyn Thede]

And then she was destined for mega star.

[Keke Palmer]

How did you know? And how did you see. I mean, has she already been away

[Robyn Thede]

that had seen buzzfeed?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Already knew. Yeah. She just has it. And her standup is so funny. She's just such a unique talent.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Robyn Thede]

But Gabrielle Dennis, Ashley Nicole Black. Sky Townsend.

[Keke Palmer]

Sky Townsend. She's always been really, really funny.

[Robyn Thede]

I needed to recognize her more. Yes. Sky Townsend is unbelievable. She is her father's child.

[Keke Palmer]

She's her father's child.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, she's so good.

[Keke Palmer]

She's not afraid to get into a character. She doesn't care about anything other than the joke.

[Robyn Thede]

That's right.

[Keke Palmer]

And that's like. I mean, that's all you could ask for from anybody with a comedic voice.

[Robyn Thede]

We got lucky. I. I mean, it was intentional, but you never know how casts are gonna jail.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

And ours just was such, like, in the least cliche way possible. We were such a family. Are such a family. We all still so close. And. And I was so happy to have that beacon of sisterhood. Cause I think you feel it in sketches, obviously, like, black lady courtroom or what do you know, all that kind of stuff. And I think that joy radiated in our show in such a way that people felt seen, and that was so important to me.

[Keke Palmer]

I think it's so interesting. As a woman in comedy, I'm wondering how you feel about it. Like, do you feel like people are as accepting to the female comedic voice as they are with men?

[Robyn Thede]

No.

[Keke Palmer]

What is that about, though?

[Robyn Thede]

No, we still have people. I'm sure they've done this to you. Yes. They'll come up to you and be like, you know, I didn't think women were funny. That's how they'll start with me. You know, I didn't think women were funny. This woman came up to me. Now, mind you, his wife is behind him, and she's back there going, I'm so sorry. Cause he thinks he's complimenting. I didn't think women were funny, but you actually make me laugh. Thank you.

[Keke Palmer]

Boy, ain't nobody trying to make you laugh like that.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't care. Yeah. I don't care. What does Your wife think. She was like, girl, I'm sorry. He meant that as a compliment. I was like, I know he. I know he did.

[Keke Palmer]

I find that to be so interesting. It's like, for whatever reason, funny is not an attribute we're supposed to contain.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't know what that's about. And I think men, you know, when women list qualities they want in a partner, straight women, they'll say, I want a man who's funny and who's caring and whatever. Men never go, I want a woman who's funny.

[Keke Palmer]

No, they don't, girl. And that's my problem now. That's my problem. Because I can't stop cracking a damn joke.

[Robyn Thede]

And they don't want you funnier than me.

[Keke Palmer]

And they don't, girl. Why did you talk about her? I was just talking about that. Where almost you become just asexual. Because it's just like. Cause I'm not supposed to be who. And it's like, I'm just trying to play with you.

[Robyn Thede]

You're just being fun.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I'm just playing with you. Damn. I even had to do that with my son one time. My son, he be like, no, mama, no, it's not funny. I'm like, I'm just playing with you.

[Robyn Thede]

They so sensitive.

[Keke Palmer]

It's in their DNA.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, they so sensitive.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause he already owned me. Mama, you play too much. I'm just trying to make you.

[Robyn Thede]

Here lay Otis Le. Otis.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay. Your comedy video, Black Guys say. I feel like that was, like, viral before viral. It even knew itself. Right?

[Robyn Thede]

Yes, it was.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, when you think about. Or even just like we're talking about Issa Rae building awkward black girl, that whole wild, wild west of social media and just digital and virality.

[Robyn Thede]

The early day.

[Keke Palmer]

The early day. Did you feel like it was that you were pioneering in that time, or you look at it in retrospect? Well.

[Robyn Thede]

Well, it was so interesting. Cause I was doing videos for Funny or Die and stuff at the same time. I had created the Every Little Step spoof with Wayne Brady and shout out to Wayne Brady.

[Keke Palmer]

He's so funny.

[Robyn Thede]

I knew. And Mike Tyson came in to do it. It was so funny. But so I was already kind of doing that stuff around the same time. But really, that got me represented at CIA. I found my first real big agency because of black guys say. And it was so funny. My friend Indicray Galvan and I, who I knew from Second City, the black girls say had been big, you know? And so I was like, but no one's doing this in drag for men. And I was like, well, I play guys all the time, you know, in my live sketch, you know, So I was like, let's shoot it. We just shot it in a day and threw it up there. And like, 2 million views back then was a lot.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, it's still a lot.

[Robyn Thede]

It's still a lot, but back then it was a lot.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

So, yeah, that was a big deal. But I just did it because I wanted our voice as well.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes.

[Robyn Thede]

I thought it was a funny answer to the trend.

[Keke Palmer]

What do you feel like that said about culturally specific comedy resonating widely, you know?

[Robyn Thede]

You know, I think that's always been my comedy. I feel like culturally specific comedy can be universally funny if it's written well. I always say this. Like, jokes are jokes, even if you don't get them. Like, I watch. I watch a lot of stuff. There's a show called Deli Boys on Hulu. It's so universally funny. Even if I don't understand, like, super specific jokes or whatever, it's like, you still get the vibe, you know, And I think black lady sketch show was like that. I think In Living Color was like that. I think, you know, all of that is very important that we have to do kind of as black comedians. Not. I never, like, took anything black out. It was like, no, I want to be very black and intentionally black. And then you come to us because it's gonna be written well and you're gonna laugh.

[Keke Palmer]

But then do you ever feel the pressure that can sometimes come with that where it's like, you know, now I gotta make sure that I'm, you know, we're funny with it, but I don't wanna joke too much that everybody think we a joke. Do you ever feel that pressure of just being marginalized and representation? I feel like sometimes it gets to the point where it's like the representation, you know, the weight of it is either we are down and out or we in a. We in a real big house.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, and it's like, yeah, it's

[Robyn Thede]

either slavery or the Cosby.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, you know, it's. Girl. It's seriously like that with us a lot of times. And so especially as a, like, comedian. Yeah. It's like you can get in your head. And I know, especially comedians coming up today, it's really easy to get in your head and not be true to the joke because you're so worried about not being.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, I'm at the place where I don't care. I don't think I've ever cared, though. I don't think I've ever cared. I've always cared about what's funny. Yeah, but I know what you mean. Yes. And I do think, you know, that's a really good thing for young comedians to think about. Like, do you have that armor? Do you have that thick skin, you know, that you don't care? Now, mind you, though, I'm not a comedian that tries to punch down.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

But I try to still uplift, you know, it doesn't have to be sanitized by any stretch of the imagination. But I try not to, like, go for the cheap joke that hurts people.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

I think that that's what kind of helps it.

[Keke Palmer]

Then.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't feel like that black excellence crush, where I have to or let pressure to always be, you know, black excellence or whatever. Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

You described the show, Black lady sketch show, as black women living a grounded experience inside of magical reality.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

I mean, what does that mean to you in comedy?

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, you know, for us, it was like, if you check it out at the grocery store, there might be a unicorn standing next to you. You know, that was the kind of what I always told people, like, that the reality is going to have this magic in it, and we don't have to be the magic. Like, there's always that pressure for us to be the black girl magic. And it's like, well, what if there's magic around us and we're just reacting to it? Because I think that's really what the essence of black girl magic is. It's not necessarily that we're magic or we're magicians. It's that in an environment where everything is thrown at us, we make magic happen.

[Keke Palmer]

That's literally like the ethos of the. It's no wonder why you and Boots connect and why you're in. I love boosters. Cause that's literally it. And this is literally what he does when people see his stuff and they're like, oh, it's so cool. Bright. Because that's how he see where we come from. Yes. That's how we all see it. Somebody could come into the hood and they'll be like, oh, it's whack. Or this, this. It's crazy. We'll see magic and wizards and vibrancy and life. And it's so true that we are perspective. That is the way that we see the world. And that is so important. Like, the whole, like, era that we've been able to fall into now, this black surrealism and whims. And, like, I'M so glad we get to be whimsical now.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, can I get a little whim?

[Robyn Thede]

I can skip through the part.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, come on. Instead of it just being like you said, it's this extreme up or this extreme. Not this damn thing. Leave it and listen to the song. I love her. Cause she got her own. This is my damn problem now. Let me cut off. Sorry, boo. Why would that come? Not miss independent neo. I'm in 2010, girl. By the way.

[Robyn Thede]

Anyway, it was a good year.

[Keke Palmer]

I just love that. I love what you bring, and I love that that's what. We are getting more of that these days.

[Robyn Thede]

It's important, I think, you know, we haven't had permission to do those things, to have that whimsy, to have this, you know? But there are independent filmmakers like Boots Riley and, like, so many amazing filmmakers that have been trying, but I think we have to keep that foot on the pedal.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

What has writing for other people taught you about protecting your own point of view?

[Robyn Thede]

Ooh.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause I think that's such a skill that you're able to do that.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah. I've written for. Name a black comedian. I've written for them. I mean, Mike Epps and Anthony Anderson and Chris Rock and, you know, all the things, right? So I wrote for them.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl, that is so cool. That is so freaking.

[Robyn Thede]

But I haven't really written for you yet, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Let's go.

[Robyn Thede]

Don't tempt me, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I love.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, I know. And we tried to get you on Sketch O forever.

[Keke Palmer]

And I. Lily was telling them, I

[Robyn Thede]

want to be clear in case somebody come for me. We tried. My mama is busy.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay? Literally, we tried so hard to make that happen.

[Robyn Thede]

I know, but we are gonna do something. I'm saying it now. You know, we talk about this, but, yes, we're gonna make something happen. But. But I think for me, writing for other people really taught me how to hone my own voice. Because now I can watch a comedian stand up for, like, 10 minutes, and I can write in their voice, because, really, people only make three kinds of jokes. Tell me. And I can watch anybody. Well, so, like, when I would watch Larry Wilmore, like, I knew he was gonna make a political reference. I knew he was gonna do an anecdotal, like, tell a story. But if you watch, like, Stephen Colbert, he's gonna do a reverse. You think he's making this joke, and then it's like a salty punchline. You know, you think it's a very serious thing, but then it's Like a. You know, or if you watch.

[Keke Palmer]

What would you say about me? Could you say anything?

[Robyn Thede]

Yes, of course.

[Keke Palmer]

What do I do?

[Robyn Thede]

Well, impressions, first of all, you're going to embody a joke. You're going to give us a character. You're going to give us a character. But you know what you also do? You also do a very Sondra Clarke, Jack, a Harry thing, which is you'll set up a joke real low and then the punchline will be loud, so you'll be like, well, the gag is. That's what they told me to do. You know what I mean? And like that kind of fun. That's like a cadence thing. So you have a vocal cadence that's very specific and so perfect for comedy. Oh, gosh. But acting wise, when I see you on screen. Cause you. Keke is different than you. You give us so many layers on screen, like in boosters, but in the burbs, in. In everything you'll give us. I like drama Kiki, because when drama. Keke's doing drama Kiki, but then has a little joke, it comes from nowhere. You know what the thing is about you? You either telegraph the joke all the way or not at all. And I love watching you do that because I know I could write any kind of joke for you and you would know what to do. You know the rhythm of comedy.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my God.

[Robyn Thede]

You really do. You have the math of it.

[Keke Palmer]

Virgo girl. Come on. Math is ontology.

[Robyn Thede]

Hello.

[Keke Palmer]

Let's. It's rhythmic. It is.

[Robyn Thede]

It's literally, you know, the formulas. I feel like you see jokes as numbers or algebra problems or something.

[Keke Palmer]

I do. I do.

[Robyn Thede]

I know you do.

[Keke Palmer]

That's crazy, girl. I feel so beyond touched. Yeah, you have. It feels so good. A moment of recognition.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

And just that you see what I be on and what I'm about and what my heart is, Girl.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. Diva. Just. I watched the clip of you and Yvette Nicole Brown with rose.

[Keke Palmer]

I watch it, by the way. Yvette Nicole Brown. Oh, isn't she just the best?

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, our Emmy nominated judge from a black lady courtroom.

[Keke Palmer]

Like, she's just the best.

[Robyn Thede]

She's the best thing. She's the best. She's amazing. But watching you and watching her second guess herself but knowing you knew what you were giving her.

[Keke Palmer]

And even in the moment, I know

[Robyn Thede]

you're just being you. It's not for camera. Like, that would be how if we were doing a house party at home, you would be doing the same roles, you know?

[Keke Palmer]

Cause. Cause we're doing the Math. Like, girl, you know the math.

[Robyn Thede]

You know you're giving her the math. I'm watching you do it in real time. Have you ever been such a comedy nerd?

[Keke Palmer]

Have you ever had a residency at a school or any? Have you taught?

[Robyn Thede]

I have.

[Keke Palmer]

You have? Yeah. I'm like you, but I don't like teaching. Damn, you're so. What you just did right now. Just breaking down all those different people. I would pay to just watch. Hear you say that about comedy. Like you are.

[Robyn Thede]

So I can break down. I can break because I have been a student of comedy. That is why my father named me the way he did. That's why he taught me the way he did. That's why comedy has been been my life. I'm such a nerd. But that's the coolest. The bills. Because I could watch anybody stand up anybody's routine and know exactly how to write for them. They'd be like, damn, these jokes are good. And I'm like, yeah, cuz I know what kind of jokes you like to make.

[Keke Palmer]

You are a cold peace, cuz that ain't nothing. That's nothing to play with. Black lady sketch show again. I have to just say it again. Elevated voices like Quinta Brunson brought legends like Angela Basset, Patti LaBelle into comedy spaces. I mean, what, what did Building an

[Robyn Thede]

ecosystem like that, you know, Angela Bassett was the first guest star to sign on. Wow. She was a fan of my late night show and I didn't know that. And we reached out to her and we said, our big first sketch. We want you to be. And we're gonna name the episode after you. That first pilot is called Angela Bassett is the baddest Bitch, Period. Any further questions?

[Keke Palmer]

There's literally young people questions because I

[Robyn Thede]

said it all

[Keke Palmer]

that I would never. I still matter today because of that. I'm still mattering. Okay, now this gagged me, girl. Your mother, Phyllis Thede, served in Iowa, the House of representatives, for 14 years.

[Robyn Thede]

14 years, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

That is everything.

[Robyn Thede]

Elected the first night that Obama was elected in 2008.

[Keke Palmer]

What was that like? I mean, seeing her path and her journey, how do you become a house of represents?

[Robyn Thede]

So she. You know, my parents were both in education our whole lives, and then they started getting active in teachers unions and then the Democratic Party and they just kind of worked their way up. Both my mom and my dad been very politically active for a long time and worked together on a lot of campaigns. And my mom was simultaneously working with the Obama campaign to help get him elected while she was Running her first campaign. And it was just. I mean, there was a picture of us on the newspaper. I'll send it to your people. But there was a picture of us on the front page of the. Our home newspaper, the Quad City Times, of me just screaming and grabbing my mother as she was announced for her first term. And then they have to run every other year, so she had to get reelected seven times. That's unheard of. Like, she was truly so. And now she's retired and living her best life. But, you know, she really, really brought so much change, so much focus to a seat that had never been held by a black woman ever in the history of that district.

[Keke Palmer]

So that is so incredible. And then it's so great because you were the first black woman head writer in late night. And the White House correspondent, Stenner.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

So, I mean, what was it like?

[Robyn Thede]

It was amazing. I mean, we were backstage and got to meet the president and the first lady before they were like, it better be funny, you know?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, right, right, right.

[Robyn Thede]

I was like, it's gonna be funny. Don't worry. And they loved it. And it was. I mean, to be in that room is in this. The kids these days don't know, honey. Cause the White House correspondent's narrative is not what it used to be, really. But back then, it was a big deal for a comedian to write for that and to host it. And Larry did such a great job, and he's been one of my mentors for so many years. And, I mean, just meeting. I mean, you've met the Obamas, obviously.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, they really are amazing.

[Robyn Thede]

They really are. Like. I don't want to say. I don't know how to say it other than a really offensive way.

[Keke Palmer]

They didn't.

[Robyn Thede]

No, I was just gonna say they that. Bitch,

[Keke Palmer]

Please.

[Robyn Thede]

It's the only way I know how to say it.

[Keke Palmer]

But it's true. And we mean it, and we mean it with love.

[Robyn Thede]

Together, collectively.

[Keke Palmer]

They have serious.

[Robyn Thede]

They are like. They're amazing. Michelle on her own is so impressive and so incredible, But Barack, I cannot even call him by his first name.

[Keke Palmer]

I know. I feel crazy, too. And I'm like, I don't know. Is this president, my previous president, my P, my only president? You know, it's like, it gets to a point.

[Robyn Thede]

Did you say my P, my P?

[Keke Palmer]

I don't know all the stuff. So I be like, what do I do?

[Robyn Thede]

What really killed me was you pronouncing those fashion designer names. Was that with Scott Evans?

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. Cause why they put me up to it.

[Robyn Thede]

But here's the thing. What you need to know is that was the most relatable thing. Besides, I'm sorry to. You have given culture so much. I'm sorry to this man. If I saw him in the street, I wouldn't know a thing. But also. But also. You pronouncing Loewe. I still can't do it.

[Keke Palmer]

Lo's girl, me too. I got. We was going to the hardware store. Givenchy. I'm tired of them. I'm tired of all of them. All of that is too much to be said. I don't know why they put us up to that. It's so difficult.

[Robyn Thede]

You are doing such a service for so many of us. Because you walked so we could run, girl. Thank you.

[Keke Palmer]

Thank you. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for seeing me. Always. Always. I mean, with your parents.

[Robyn Thede]

I know a lot of your quotes. Does this make me look like a stalker?

[Keke Palmer]

No, I feel the same way about you.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, please, girl.

[Keke Palmer]

Seriously. Seriously. And now I'm just thinking to myself, like, what are we about to do together? Because you damn near know my voice better than me. Yeah, girl, this eats.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, no, I.

[Keke Palmer]

This eats, girl. This eats.

[Robyn Thede]

No, no, no. I could write some mess for you.

[Keke Palmer]

This has me so over the flow, like. Yes, okay. With your parents doing so much in politics, have you ever felt like that your comedy is your way of giving back? How do you view the way that you. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, baby. This is Icky Palmer. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Their service is to people in, you know, on the ground, lawmaking, all of that kind of stuff. And mine is writing fart jokes, so. Yeah, no, I love it. No, but I do. I do. I do feel like a coward. I do feel like a service. And I think that's why I'm so committed to giving underrepresented voices, you know, such a platform and all of that stuff. And look, not in that way of like the anti dei, everybody, like, oh, I wanna hire people just cause they're black. It has never been that way.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

I hire people cause they're good and. Cause they're black. You know what I'm saying?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Right?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

For real.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Let's be clear.

[Keke Palmer]

Both things can be true. You can be black and you can be good. Both things can be true. Not like, you know what I mean?

[Robyn Thede]

We gotta be how many times as good to get the same. We gotta be twice as good, 10 times as good, a hundred times as good, whatever that phrase is now that it changes. But, you know, especially in this era where stuff is constricting. In Hollywood, I think it's even more important not only to keep a plethora of people represented, but for black voices. What Ryan Coogler is doing is crazy. And, you know, there's so many, obviously, Issa and Quinta, all my people. But watching what's happening in film and television. But film, really, that whimsy that you were talking about earlier and being able to play in spaces, I mean, obviously people have talked about it a lot. But that scene in the juke joint in Sinners, all those musical genres, chilling. I watched it in, I think, 70 millimeter IMAX. I think that's what it was the first time I saw Sinners. Cause I saw it several times.

[Keke Palmer]

Me, too.

[Robyn Thede]

And I bawled during that scene. I was just like, I've never seen us like this. And in 30 seconds, how you can get. I don't know. I was just overwhelmed. And I want to create moments like that for people, whether it's through laughter, through joy, through, you know, drama, whatever it is. Creating those moments is so important. I just know what they feel like as a viewer. And I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah, we need more of that.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. It's like, I feel like that's, to me, the point of art. You know, everybody has a different. Different reason as to why they, you know, create. And I'm sure it changes. But I think for me, it's. It's probably especially because of the times we're in right now. I want to give relief. I want there to be relief. I want to be you, to feel seen. And I want you to feel like you've been given a tone of how to go forward. That feels hopeful because I feel like it's so lacking now.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

And so that's like. Yeah, I totally get. Get what you do. You have a top three favorite movies coming to America. Great one.

[Robyn Thede]

Far and Away.

[Keke Palmer]

Not Far Away. Who's that with?

[Robyn Thede]

No, no, no, no. It's Far and Away, my favorite.

[Keke Palmer]

What is that? Far Away?

[Robyn Thede]

No, I'm just saying that is a movie. Far and Away.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, it is. But it ain't your favorite.

[Robyn Thede]

I'm just saying it's my favorite. Like Far and Away from anything else. That's my favorite. That is so funny.

[Keke Palmer]

Farn Away is. Who directed that?

[Robyn Thede]

Far and Away is a movie. I think it's Nicole Kidman about some horses. I don't. That's not my movie. Okay. Coming to America. Boomerang.

[Keke Palmer]

Come on. It's giving Eddie.

[Robyn Thede]

Eddie.

[Keke Palmer]

It's giving Eddie down. Boo.

[Robyn Thede]

When I did a movie with him. I.

[Keke Palmer]

What did you do, girl? Because I'm also Eddie Kandi Cane Lane.

[Robyn Thede]

I did a. Oh, Candy Cane Lane, of course. With Tracee Ellis Ross.

[Keke Palmer]

Trace Ellis Ross. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I love Eddie Murphy.

[Robyn Thede]

Doubt I have embarrassed myself in front of that man so many times, being such a stand. And he is so nice. He's so lovely.

[Keke Palmer]

So lovely.

[Robyn Thede]

I smeared makeup all over his jacket at the red carpet premiere of the movie. He did. I didn't care. I'm a fool. So, coming to America.

[Keke Palmer]

Boomerang.

[Robyn Thede]

Princess Bride. The Princess Bride.

[Keke Palmer]

Now, what happened with that one again?

[Robyn Thede]

So that was a Rob Reiner.

[Keke Palmer]

I love Rob Reiner. Rest in peace. I really love him.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. So that one is about. There's a man and a woman who are separated and they have to come back together. And he gets lost to the Dread Pirate Roberts and he comes back as a swashbuckler. And then they have to, what, Save the woman from marrying a horrible Prince Humperdinck. It's quite the movie.

[Keke Palmer]

A Humperdink. I'm about to watch this. Who are the actors in there?

[Robyn Thede]

Kerry? I don't know how to.

[Keke Palmer]

Keira Knightley.

[Robyn Thede]

No, it's a man. Kerry Eules. I don't know how to say his last name, girl. It's a bunch of E's and W's. Robin Wright Penn. Did you see House of Cards? She played the.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, cool.

[Robyn Thede]

It's some white people. White people are in the movie. Billy Crystal's in the movie.

[Keke Palmer]

Billy Crystal.

[Robyn Thede]

I know Billy Crystal's in the movie, but it is. It doesn't matter who's in. Andre the Giant is in the movie. He was alive and dead before you were born. It doesn't matter who's in the movie,

[Keke Palmer]

but it was good. Okay. What do I say?

[Robyn Thede]

It's a classic rom com that has equal comedy and equal romance.

[Keke Palmer]

Romance. Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

And Boomerang. I don't even know if it's one of my top three, but I will say it is. The fashion and the looks.

[Keke Palmer]

This is the thing. Boomerang. Now, it's almost like Ferris Bueller's Day off. Not in context, like in what the

[Robyn Thede]

content is, but in Connery.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. And then the fact that it showed you something that is repeated now to the point where you don't realize how crazy it was for it to happen back then.

[Robyn Thede]

Because Reggie Hudlin, who directed Candy Cane Lane, brought Eddie back. I don't know how he did that. Then.

[Keke Palmer]

All black. Like, here in the marketing, we've got. Oh, my gosh. Lady Eloise girl. The concept of Lady Eloise.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, was it Lady. Wait, no, not lady.

[Keke Palmer]

Is it a lady?

[Robyn Thede]

That's her name. No, that's. What was her. The kid's character's name.

[Keke Palmer]

Wasn't her company Lady Eloise?

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, yes, it was.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause she was like. It was like Estee Lauder, but she was black.

[Robyn Thede]

Wait, but what was her name? Strange.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, Strange was Shanday. Was the other girl all right? It's like that. I mean, they just. They created folklore.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

That's what they did. Anyway, we love them. Yes.

[Robyn Thede]

Coming to America. Boomerang. The Princess Bride.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. So good. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Two black classics and a white classic.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay? That's literally. We have diversity. We believe. We believe, period. I got a couple of them.

[Robyn Thede]

What are yours?

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, I thought you'd never ask.

[Robyn Thede]

Right. Forgive me. I have not been holding up my end of this. Okay?

[Keke Palmer]

My number one favorite is a very classic black film. It's called the Wood. Of course, you know the Wood.

[Robyn Thede]

Also a rom com, some would argue. Yes, yes, yes. In finance.

[Keke Palmer]

Omar.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen. Anyway, always been fine.

[Keke Palmer]

We also have. What's another one of my favorites? Now you've put me on the spot.

[Robyn Thede]

Are you a rom com, girly?

[Keke Palmer]

I do love rom coms. Okay, I do love rom coms. But do I have.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, there was an ellipsis there.

[Keke Palmer]

Brown Sugar period. Fabulous shout out to Michael Elliott.

[Robyn Thede]

Great, gorgeous movie.

[Keke Palmer]

Also, Sonia Lathan.

[Robyn Thede]

Tay Dick. Don't get any better than that.

[Keke Palmer]

The chemistry most deaf.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

And then third, it's gonna have to probably be a white classic. So this is like, a random one, but this is what I used to watch all the time as a kid.

[Robyn Thede]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

And it was actually starring the girl that was on Death on a. Oh, my gosh. On Grey's Anatomy for years.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, oh, Katherine Heigl. Yes. 27 dresses.

[Keke Palmer]

No, it was actually called Wish Upon a Star.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't know this movie.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, baby, it is so classic. So her and her sister are at odds?

[Robyn Thede]

Not sisters at odds.

[Keke Palmer]

Her and her sister at odds. You know, one is real frumpy. The other one is like, really? That girl. Okay, One night they're wishing on a star, but the gag is you just think the one sister's wishing on a star, but really what happened is they wished on a star the same night to trade lives.

[Robyn Thede]

Because, oh, it's giving Freaky Friday meets Devil Wears Prada.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, it's like. Yeah, it's like, what? Yeah, and so they switch places and they learn that actually, they've actually both always Envied each other and who they had to. The armor that they had to be. And it was just a sweet little movie. Wish upon the star. If you know, you know who was the sister.

[Robyn Thede]

Never mind.

[Keke Palmer]

And you know the actress, actually.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, yeah, our good white sis,

[Keke Palmer]

Danielle Harris, who we saw again, Topanga.

[Robyn Thede]

That's not Topanga.

[Keke Palmer]

No. Danielle Harris was also. She played a real, you know, goth chick in one of the. Oh, my gosh. In. Have you ever seen Urban Legend? Yes, she was up in there.

[Robyn Thede]

Okay, okay.

[Keke Palmer]

That's really a way back one. Urban Legend. Come on.

[Robyn Thede]

We need a game show where we don't know the people's and we have to describe them. Like old black aunties. You know the girl that had the pink dress. She had the pink dress on.

[Keke Palmer]

That's like a sketch of Robert Ebert, like, if we, like, were a bad version of it.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, we're doing movie critiques.

[Keke Palmer]

We're doing movie critiques.

[Robyn Thede]

That's a great sketch. That's a really. You know, the girl was in it. She was in that shark thing. The shark movie. You know, the shark movie. She was going. Girl? Regina King.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, exactly like girl. What? Like what? That's crazy.

[Robyn Thede]

She was in that movie with the snake. J. Lo.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, my gosh. I'm on the floor. You also said fighting, and this is just a quick beat that I want to do because I'm curious of how you feel about dealing with this as well. Fighting for my life in an industry that values AI. Oh, you know, when we talk about AI, you know, now we like. It's like, first is AI replacing talent, and then now we see a lot of people licensing their likeness to AI as a form of empowerment or just money. I don't know what they're doing. You know, how are we dealing with. How are you dealing with. With this new entrance? You know, because it's. It's happening.

[Robyn Thede]

It's happening. You know, I think, look, if we're talking about replicating crowd scenes or something like that, I won't get too technical about it, but there's always been some sort of cgi, VFX ways of doing that sort of thing. But AI gets into this place because I have big problems with tech and the data mining that take this is. I'm about to really. Virgo strap in for the Virgo.

[Keke Palmer]

The data mining is scary.

[Robyn Thede]

The data mining, but also all of these AI systems are built by people who don't look like us for the large majority of it. Right? So they're using data taken from biased sources. Because AI still has to be fed by human sources. And so if they don't look like us, our AI is always going to come out looking crazy or, you know, there's no AI.

[Keke Palmer]

I've chatted before with AI and I had to get into their ass one time, right. I said, this is erasure. 100% said, this is my language. Yes. Just cause you don't get it right, it don't mean it ain't real.

[Robyn Thede]

That's what I'm saying.

[Keke Palmer]

I had to go back and forth. We got into it, they apologized.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't like it. It was tough. Yeah. I don't like it.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. The biases is real. The dangers of the environment are real.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

It's a lot to work through.

[Robyn Thede]

Also, it's bad for our water.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

All these data centers and all this stuff is bad for our clean water. There's so many reasons why tech has, has become the monster that, you know, Joe Morton warned us about in Terminator.

[Keke Palmer]

Who is that? Oh yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Before your time.

[Keke Palmer]

Terminator is good.

[Robyn Thede]

Terminator is good. Is that.

[Keke Palmer]

I'll be back.

[Robyn Thede]

Joe Morton played Olivia's dad, Olivia Pope's dad in Scandal.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay, but are we talking about Papa Pope, the mama with them arms? Hello, them arms.

[Robyn Thede]

Candy Alexander, baby. Don't play with her. Don't play with her. I love her. I love her. But he warned us back then that Skynet was gonna take over. All the AI was gonna take over and like that's where we are. And I don't mean to sound old and fuddy duddy about it, but I do think it can be used in ways. I saw this teacher use AI to show her students how they would look in the career that they would wanna be. And it was the cutest thing. So she showed them as an astronaut and the kids cried. They literally could see their future. That's where AI is great, right? Stuff like that is great. But when you, you know, people use an AI to tune their photos and stuff and they got six hands in the picture. Look at the hand. It's always the hands. That's where AI can't get it right. How?

[Keke Palmer]

Look at the hands always. They always make you light skinned too. They're always. It's like, why did I get brighter? I don't know.

[Robyn Thede]

But I don't need any help.

[Keke Palmer]

It's so crazy. It's true. There's ethical ways and there's not ethical ways. And I really hope that we can get some reins in that. Make us all feel like, you know, we're not.

[Robyn Thede]

I don't need anything else. We need some rules.

[Keke Palmer]

We need some rules and boundaries. Well, I do wanna stop quickly before we get into our game and just talk about relationship goals. Congrats.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, thank you.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes. Kelly Rowland, yourself, Annie Gonzale, you play Brenda.

[Robyn Thede]

Method Man.

[Keke Palmer]

Method man, baby. Method Man. Ooh. I can't say too much, but, you know.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, they know.

[Keke Palmer]

You play Brenda, a morning show host.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes.

[Keke Palmer]

And you know, you've been in a relationship for a really long time and you trying to get to that next level. How was it being in the movie? How was it filming? It seemed fun.

[Robyn Thede]

It was so fun. It was so fun. Kelly Rowland is a hoot always. The whole cast is great. Method man is just. He's so funny and so fun and so game. It was his first romantic comedy.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh.

[Robyn Thede]

And it was a very dramatic, like, they had me crying in scenes and stuff. Girl, I was acting. But I'm excited to stretch and do more than just the sketch characters that people know or whatever, late night stuff. So it was really. It was such a great experience. Devon Franklin is this amazing producer. You know, Prime Video has an amazing exec over at Amazon named Amber Raspberry. Amber, she's amazing. My girl, she's amazing.

[Keke Palmer]

I love Amber. We did the pickup. We're getting ready for something else. I very much love Amber Raspberry.

[Robyn Thede]

And then Linda Mendoza was our director who started out directing at the Chris Rock Show. So like, just comedy gods. So it was super fun.

[Keke Palmer]

I love that. I mean, how is it getting into a romance bag?

[Robyn Thede]

Different for me.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I'd be scared of the romance bag.

[Robyn Thede]

I know I'm a little awkward making out. I haven't ever done a sex scene. Have you ever had to do a sex scene?

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah, I did, like, a lightweight one in TLC with Evan Ross, but he was like, he's been my brother since I was a kid, so it was like. That was unreal. And then I had one with my girl Hailey. It was a female love scene also. Very safe. Very fun. We were listening to Baby, this is what you came for. Just rubbing. I felt so safe. I felt so safe. That was a good memory. But, yeah, I've just done that. Nothing too. Nothing. Like,

[Robyn Thede]

I like your style. I'm screaming, no, I. So I've never done a sex scene, but even, like, making out was always for comedic purposes, so I had to. I kind of have to, like, coach myself because I was like, no, Robin, this is like a dramatic scene and you, like, really want to be with this man. And don't laugh, you know, So I had to kind of get out of that mode, but it was a fun stretch. I want to do more drama.

[Keke Palmer]

That was so fun. I mean, it's always fun to shake it up and do something. Yeah. I mean, and speaking of relationship goals, do you have relationship goals? Like, what are your top three top five things? Or, you know, I have one. Ooh, period.

[Robyn Thede]

And it is a Whoopi Goldberg quote. I don't want nobody living in my house.

[Keke Palmer]

And living in my house, girl. I feel the same. Why are we the same?

[Robyn Thede]

Girl?

[Keke Palmer]

Are we in trouble? No. Because I feel that we are the same. And it's just like I feel the exact same.

[Robyn Thede]

Cheers.

[Keke Palmer]

Cheers, sister.

[Robyn Thede]

Listen, listen. I don't want nobody. And I've had somebody in my house, girl. And besides Michael Jackson thede my little mini goldendoodle, that's the only man that will ever be there.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay? That's how I feel.

[Robyn Thede]

I heard you saying that you think living in separate houses is probably ideal. I do. And it was very triggering for me because I'm gonna share a story with you I have never told.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Well, I'm so honored.

[Robyn Thede]

A Kiki baby. This is Kiki Palmer exclusive. I've been proposed to five times and I've said no five times.

[Keke Palmer]

By different five mans.

[Robyn Thede]

Yes. Now, if the same man was proposing five times, he need to get a clue.

[Keke Palmer]

Different five mens.

[Robyn Thede]

Why would I say that?

[Keke Palmer]

Different five men.

[Robyn Thede]

It works better than that. Was it had you gagged?

[Keke Palmer]

That's everything, bitch.

[Robyn Thede]

By different.

[Keke Palmer]

You know what I'm saying?

[Robyn Thede]

It is it because they were all crazy proposals. So the first one, he said, I wanna marry you. He had a ring.

[Keke Palmer]

I wanna marry you.

[Robyn Thede]

You are the love of my life. There's only one catch. Now, that is not how you propose to somebody. Right? He said, I wanna live in separate houses because I can't really be around you for more than three days at a time.

[Keke Palmer]

He didn't eat that last part, though. He could have just been unavailable for the other two. You know, he could've said, I'm busy. Yeah, like, why did he have to tell you?

[Robyn Thede]

Why did he have to say that?

[Keke Palmer]

People gotta say.

[Robyn Thede]

So that was a no.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my gosh. Damn, dude. Okay, let's get to two. This is a movie.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, God. Okay, two was. Two was. Oh. Two was a third date. Drunk in Palm Springs. I was not drunk. He was drunk. And he said, I wanna marry you. Stood up on the table, didn't have a ring, but the next day, I was like, so do you remember what you did? Cause I thought it was a joke. Correct. He said, no, I really wanna marry you. Will you marry me? And I was like, no.

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, my.

[Robyn Thede]

You have an alcohol problem?

[Keke Palmer]

Like, yeah, dope.

[Robyn Thede]

Not that I wouldn't see someone throw a problem, but it didn't start well. Another one. Picture it.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm loving this so much.

[Robyn Thede]

The Grand Canal, Venice, Italy. Sunset on a gondola with the love of your life, the gondolier singing O Solo Mio. He turns to you and says, I think we should spend the rest of our lives together. You hug him, kiss his neck and say yes. But right before you can say yes, his phone beep. He's getting a text. He says, one second. Turns around. Now, mind you, I'm hugging him from behind so I can see over his shoulder. Opens his text. The last thing he sent before her text is a picture of his dick.

[Keke Palmer]

I'm about to cut somebody out.

[Robyn Thede]

Is this serious,

[Keke Palmer]

Robyn? And this was our love of our life?

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

Number four,

[Robyn Thede]

I think that was only. Was that three? That was three. Four. Four was gonna propose to me on a nationally televised game show. And thank God, that person who told me it was about to happen after, like, six and a half weeks of dating. And so the person and one of his friends stopped it as I was walking onto the set. I was like, what's going on? He was like, ah, you probably should know. He's about to propose. And I was like, er, put the brakes on this.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause you didn't feel the same.

[Robyn Thede]

It wasn't that. Cause I actually ended up being with them longer. But I don't like public attention. And I never really talk about my personal life, which is why this is a Kiki exclusive.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

And five was. Five was like, we might as well. Do you want this ring? And I was like. Like, no.

[Keke Palmer]

Cause that's not ecstatic. Like, no. Come on, girl.

[Robyn Thede]

I guess we ain't 80 there.

[Keke Palmer]

That's some stuff that happens when you're 80.

[Robyn Thede]

Like, if I'm 80, I'm still not gonna be a. We might as well do it no matter what. Next thing I was talking about was

[Keke Palmer]

that next, meet me at the altar in your white dress.

[Robyn Thede]

Wait, what band was that?

[Keke Palmer]

That was you, right?

[Robyn Thede]

Was it Next?

[Keke Palmer]

Oh, no. And it was Jagged Edge.

[Robyn Thede]

Jagged Edge. I always get the girl.

[Keke Palmer]

I used to get the guy. The one dude from Next. Mixed up with the dude from RL and mixed up RL's jagged edge. I. Yes. I used to get them Mixed. Who is it? Oh, you know what? I think when I was little, I used to get the dude from Next and Nas mixed up.

[Robyn Thede]

Oh, no, that makes sense.

[Keke Palmer]

Cuz they kind of look like cousins.

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah, I feel like it, you know? Feel like. I feel like I know what.

[Keke Palmer]

But yeah, this is really, really hilarious. I've never been engaged to nobody's ever.

[Robyn Thede]

No.

[Keke Palmer]

They just really want me to fix their life. Like, my name is Iyanla. Yeah. Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Now do they know that they're doing that?

[Keke Palmer]

No, they don't.

[Robyn Thede]

So is it that they expect it?

[Keke Palmer]

I think they wanna be me.

[Robyn Thede]

So is it that they expect it or is it that that's what you think you need to do?

[Keke Palmer]

Well, I think it was both of them.

[Robyn Thede]

Okay.

[Keke Palmer]

I think it was definitely both of them.

[Robyn Thede]

I think the Virgo in me definitely wanted to be a fixer for a long time. And that's bad.

[Keke Palmer]

And in my whole life, I think that was always like a form of what drove me where it was just like this idea that everybody needs you, you know? And I think that maybe at one point that not every. Not every. Not that it was ever true that everybody needed me, but I think that's a form of like having like, survival instincts.

[Robyn Thede]

Well, you were a breadwinner too, right? So at a young age. And that's hard.

[Keke Palmer]

Yes, that's hard. So I think that kind of stays in your mind and you don't really know that you've accepted that, but you feel like because you have the capacity. Yeah, you should offer it well.

[Robyn Thede]

And you have the resources. Right. And so it's like, yeah, how much am I supposed to carry? But then you look up one day and realize you're carrying 100%.

[Keke Palmer]

Exactly. And then. And then you realize when you did. Because this is what happens with me is I'm like, I got the capacity. I got the capacity. And then when I'm tired, you feel like the rug was pulled from under you.

[Robyn Thede]

Because I was there to pick up the slide. Right?

[Keke Palmer]

Because I be. Once I be tired. Yeah, your girl is gone. And then it's like it's down.

[Robyn Thede]

And you've tried up until that point.

[Keke Palmer]

You know what I mean? Yeah.

[Robyn Thede]

Cause I try up until the end and then it's just shut off.

[Keke Palmer]

You know, it be like that. Okay, now what are you gonna do? You know, girl, I do think this is definitely true for you. And I do feel that it's true for me sometimes, you know, at least people fall in love with us fast.

[Robyn Thede]

They do, they do.

[Keke Palmer]

We're lovable we know that to be true.

[Robyn Thede]

But we're good women.

[Keke Palmer]

You know what I mean?

[Robyn Thede]

Yeah.

[Keke Palmer]

So it's kind of like, you know, we'll always have a romantic vintage trip. We might end up seeing they send a dick pic, but, you know, it'll be fun. Up until that point.

[Robyn Thede]

I can't wait till the comments are. You didn't even ask about the dick pic. Maybe it wasn't that bad. Somebody gonna be like, well, was he cute? Cause he was fine.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl, I already know. They all were the brothers.

[Robyn Thede]

You.

[Keke Palmer]

Girl, I already know. Isn't that so funny? I do need them to be fine.

[Robyn Thede]

I do, too.

[Keke Palmer]

I do.

[Robyn Thede]

And I. It could be like a quirky kind of fine.

[Keke Palmer]

Okay.

[Robyn Thede]

You know, but they do. They do need to be.

[Keke Palmer]

Yeah. I just want something good to look at, you know?

[Robyn Thede]

I mean, look what they're getting to look at.

[Keke Palmer]

Come on. Like, look at the material.

[Robyn Thede]

Look at the material.

[Keke Palmer]

The material.

[Robyn Thede]

I love you so much.

[Keke Palmer]

I love you so much, Robyn. That conversation took us from Iowa to late night. From building the first to building something that lasts. You've broken barriers, but more than that, you've built worlds on screen and rooms behind the scenes where black women don't have to explain who we have are, where we get to lead and be fully ourselves. Thank you for betting on yourself, thank you for betting on us, and thank you for leaving the door open wider than you found it. See you next time on Baby, this is Kiki Palmer. Baby, this is. This is Kiki. Baby, this is Kiki Palmer.