Keegan-Michael Key Says Award Show Humor Should Not Drag People Down

Keegan-Michael Key joined a very lucky group on the TMZ Celebrity Tour … offerin’ up advice on how award shows can evolve so comedy bits don’t drag people down.

Keegan hopped on our bus in Bev Hills … and as his wife and writing partner Elle kicked it on the sidewalk, he offered up some tips on cringe-worthy humor during these awards shows.

KMK put it plainly — you can make a killer joke that has a positive message … but bringing someone down should be out of bounds.

He’s pretty clearly referring to last week’s Emmys … where Jimmy Kimmel was dragged for “passing out” on stage as Quinta Brunson accepted her award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.