Kenan Thompson Hints at Possible Shakeups Ahead for SNL Ahead Of Season 51: “You Just Never Know What the Future Holds”
Change might be on the horizon for “Saturday Night Live”, and veteran cast member Kenan Thompson is preparing for whatever comes next.
Kenan Thompson On Future of “SNL”
Speaking with Page Six, Thompson reflected on wrapping SNL’s landmark 50th season earlier this month and acknowledged that the future of the cast may be uncertain heading into season 51.
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” said Thompson, 47. The All That alum responded to ongoing speculation about which cast members might return next season — and which might not. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions over the summer … it’s always like you want your kids to stay young,” he added.
Having first joined the cast back in 2003, Thompson holds the record as the longest-running cast member in the show’s history, now completing 22 seasons. Still, he’s not taking anything for granted.
“You just never know what the future holds,” he said. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at SNL but there’s no guarantees, I guess.”
While he’s realistic about the ever-changing nature of the show, Thompson has also expressed just how much SNL means to him. In a past interview with Entertainment Weekly, he even joked about staying indefinitely: “It would be cool if I never left the show. That’d be crazy,” he said. “I guess the only other milestone would be just to be the forever cast member. Just never leave the show.”
Earlier this year, Thompson spoke with PEOPLE about why he keeps returning to Studio 8H year after year, calling it “hands down” the best job in the business.
“It’s crazy because most people do eight [seasons] max, you know what I mean? Or 12. But it’s a one-of-a-kind place,” he said. “It’s the people in front and behind that embrace it, need it. So when they call me, what, am I not supposed to oblige the greatest job in the world? So it’s out of love.”
He added, “What a blessing it is to have steady employment.”
While fans wait to see what season 51 brings, Saturday Night Live will continue to be available for streaming on Peacock, with its return expected this fall on NBC.
More On:TV