Getting into Character with MADtv

About this video
Young Hollywood goes behind the scenes of MADtv just before their live taping. Keegan-Michael Key takes you from the makeup trailer to the stage, and shows you how he transforms into Barack Obama. We also chat with Daheli Hall who shows us how she gets into character as Oprah. We also show you their hilarious transformation as “Fauxbama” and “Oprah,” as they go on stage to perform their verson of Flo-rida’s “Low.” Hosted by Keegan-Michael Key.
Chapters (6)
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Key Moments (4)
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Key Topics (3)
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Full Transcript
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Welcome to Younghollywood. com. Hey, Young Hollywood! How's everybody doing? This is Keegan Michael Key from MADtv and uh you're behind the scenes here at our show. I'm going to go into make up right now and what you're going to do is see me transform into Barack Fobama. We'll be in make up for probably about 90 minutes or so. Here's our makeup trailer. We're from the midwest. So, a lot of hard Rs and stuff. But the thing is that he has a little bit of Montel Williams in him. Kind of you know Montel Williams. He kind of speaks like this a little bit, you know and um and he has a more refined way of speaking. But um the syntax is very similar.
The other thing is that he does this a lot with his finger. I think he's mentally thinking of a checklist. So it's instead of going like this instead of going first of all, there will be tax benefits. But also there will be so instead of going and also, he just keeps the one finger like this or like this, it just looks better this way. This is a little bit of Oprahness. Ready? Hello! Oprah called me. I can be your new best friend. I feel like we would have a bonds. Like as soon as she met me, she would be like Daly. Oh no no yes yes yes. I think you are my friend. And I'd be like Oprah, thank you. And then we'd travel together. We'd go to like South Africa. All right, we're almost there.
We're going to get some finishing touches done at the other trailer where they have the hair. And then once we have the hair, we'll we should have a full transformation from Keegan Michael Key into Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Hello! I can't speak in any voice other than Obama's because I now have the hair on. If I'm wearing the hair then I have to speak in his way. Now I would not be standing here if it were not for the efforts of one woman. She is responsible for everything I have achieved and no, I am absolutely not speaking about my wife. She took control. I think you know talk about Oprah. Who wants an election? Look under your seats. Our friend Barack's not smoking crack.
The future's bright and also black. Like this Burberry scarf. She's got the book love and that magazine she wrote. She tells women what to read how to think and how to vote.
Timestamps are approximate — click one to jump the player.
PEOPLE MENTIONED
- Keegan-Michael Key
Host and actor portraying Barack Obama
- Barack Obama
Character portrayed by Keegan-Michael Key
- Daheli Hall
Actress portraying Oprah
- Oprah
Character portrayed by Daheli Hall
- Montel Williams
Referenced by Keegan-Michael Key for Obama's speech pattern




