Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall star in “The ’Burbs,” Peacock’s new dark comedy series inspired by the 1989 Tom Hanks film of the same name. The show follows Samira and Rob Fisher, played by Ms. Palmer and Mr. Whitehall, a young couple who moves into Rob’s suburban childhood home. When mysterious new neighbors arrive across the street, long-buried secrets resurface, threatening the tranquillity of the neighborhood.
Below (or on YouTube), watch Ms. Palmer, a self-described big pancake freak, share her gluten-free recipe. Read ahead for excerpts from the interview and the outtakes, which have been edited and condensed.
Keke Palmer shares a family recipe with Jack Whitehall, her co-star in “The ’Burbs.”Credit…Victoria Chen
How often do you make this?
KEKE PALMER Maybe once or twice a week, when I’m looking for something sweet but a little bit nutritious. I really do try to keep it on my healthy tip, as best as I possibly can. And I’m a big pancake freak.
Before today, have either of you cooked for each other?
PALMER I cooked for you that one time.
JACK WHITEHALL Did you? When did you cook?
PALMER You know.
WHITEHALL Yes, she did. Yes, she cooked for me every day on set. Just brought in fresh produce and just whipped up something nice and healthy every day.
PALMER Mmm-hmm, yes. What was your favorite meal?
WHITEHALL We ate Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop every day of production. We’re bougie!
Do you like to cook?
PALMER I like to cook. I like to cook when I have time. I’m usually making, like, a stew. I always make a breakfast item. But I do make also a nice gluten-free cornbread. You’re starting to see the consistency here, no gluten. I love making stews. You know, I can make a mean chili.
WHITEHALL I do cook quite a lot. In fact, during the pandemic, I very briefly became a food blogger.
PALMER Oh my gosh.
WHITEHALL Had a little Instagram handle, and I made all manner of decadent dishes. I put on about 10 stone.
PALMER What’s your favorite thing to eat?
WHITEHALL I love eggs.
PALMER [doing an impression of Amanda Bynes from “The Amanda Show”] I love eggs. Do you remember that? That was so iconic, I love Amanda Bynes.
PALMER What was your favorite show growing up?
WHITEHALL “True Jackson, VP” is the correct answer.
PALMER You were so ready for that.
Is there a specific food that reminds you of being on the set of “The ’Burbs”?
PALMER I mean, we had great craft services on “The ’Burbs.” Taco trucks come in, sushi trucks, poke bowl trucks.
WHITEHALL Oh my god, it’s crazy.
PALMER It was actually really so fun.
WHITEHALL You don’t get that in the U.K. If you’re shooting in the U.K., you’re lucky if they give you lunch.
PALMER Why they doing that? Is the budget low? Where’s the pounds going?
WHITEHALL Yup. Well, I don’t know where the pounds are going, but they ain’t going to the catering.
PALMER They going to the Queen.
WHITEHALL [Laughs] They’re going to the Queen.
PALMER She livin’ good. Rest in peace. Is she still alive?
WHITEHALL [Laughs] She’s dead.
PALMER Rest in peace. Rest in peace, girl.
WHITEHALL Yes, you know, the King now.
PALMER Wow, the King. Yeah, he over there with that money. Wow.
WHITEHALL He’s got all the money. He’s got all that craft service money.
WHITEHALL What are other go-to dishes that you make?
PALMER Well, I always try to figure out a way to do some of my dad’s old dishes, but make them a little bit more health friendly, you know what I mean? A lot of times, it can be heavy on the sugar, heavy on the butter, heavy on the flour. So I made recently at home, like, a cornbread and some catfish. Fried catfish but air-fried, and then like gluten-free batter and stuff like that. So I try to do a lot of his old-school stuff, but, you know, maybe a different twist.
Your show is about neighbor drama. Have you ever had your own neighbor drama?
PALMER I had my one neighbor. Let me tell you what this dude did. He wanted me to get rid of my tree. So, I said no. I thought everything was fine. I kept on going about my life. Next thing you know, we get another reach-out from the gentleman. He says: “Your gate is about five feet into my side. Now, I won’t let this mean much. You won’t have to change your gate or anything. If you just get rid of this tree.”
WHITEHALL What?
PALMER How did he know my fence was like that? He really found one thing. I couldn’t believe this dude.
WHITEHALL Oh no.
PALMER I let him cut the tree.
[Jack laughs]
PALMER I hope he don’t watch this.
WHITEHALL I hope he doesn’t have a New York Times subscription.
PALMER Woo, it’s all good brother.
WHITEHALL Maybe you can bring him ’round some sweet potato pancakes as a peace offering.
If you were to show each other around your hometowns, what’s the first thing you’d eat?
PALMER Oh, you know what? A pizza puff.
WHITEHALL A pizza puff?
PALMER You ever had a pizza puff?
WHITEHALL No, no, no what’s a pizza puff?
PALMER Ooh. It’s a pizza in a puff.
WHITEHALL A pizza in a puff?
PALMER It’s a puff that’s a pizza inside.
WHITEHALL I don’t even think I know what a puff is.
PALMER What about me in your town?
WHITEHALL I’d probably—
PALMER Fish and chips!
WHITEHALL Fish and chips! Or I’d probably do a Sunday roast.
Jack, if Keke were a food dish, what would she be?
WHITEHALL A paella.
PALMER Oh my gosh, that’s delicious! You think that’s me?
WHITEHALL Yes! It’s warming and vibrant and tasty.
PALMER Nutritious, if you put sardines in it. I love a paella. That’s very nice of you. You are —
WHITEHALL Be very careful.
PALMER I think you’re Cheddar and broccoli soup. You’re very, very cozy. You’re delicious no matter the time of day. Hearty. Good for the soul. Cheddar and broccoli soup. Which I love.
WHITEHALL But might make you a bit gassy.
PALMER Might get a couple of toots out.
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