Key and Peele: Carlito es Loco

This Key and Peele bit satirically jabs at Mexican gangs, Mexican-American dialect, and the "Loco Mexican" stereotype. The bit opens up with the gang in a very excited mood, for they have just met Eduardo, new member of their gang. They praise him for his craziness after he smashes a bottle on his head. As the gang is celebrating their new member's triumphant craziness, Carlito, a timid gangster with low self-esteem, walks over and apprehensively checks what the gang is up to. They introduce Eduardo and his trick to Carlito, but Carlito is not impressed. Carlito believes he is the "loco" part of the gang. Carlito goes on to showcase immature jokes, that he believes are loco, such as his tilikum underpants and his duck voice. The gang rebukes most of Carlito's attempts for recognition as kindly as possible. Carlito goes on and on, eventually hitting himself in the head with a bottle and failing to break it, and then accidentally shooting Eduardo, who bites the bullet to save his own life.

Carlito's insecurity is contrary to the typical Mexican gangster. He is timid and referred to as the "quiet guy" in the gang, and he doesn't seem like he would harm a fly. The gang's approach to his insecurity is also ironic. Instead of insulting Carlito, as would be typical, they politely and apprehensively let him know that he, in fact, is not loco. Their apprehension isn't caused by fear of Carlito himself, but by a fear of hurting his feelings.

Carlito's desperate attempt for praise from his fellow gang-members, and Eduardo's wild actions can also be seen as a satire on cliques in general. It is poking fun at the way people often feel the need to impress their friends in order to stay close to them, and to maintain or build their reputations.

Last but not least, the accents taken up by the actors poke fun at the Mexican-American dialect, through the use of slang like "holmes". Key and Peele do an outstanding job of satirizing the tough, violent, and loco Mexican gang.