Following Lorne Michaels’ remarks about perhaps leaving Saturday Night Live, American actor and comedian Kenan Thompson offered his opinion on the show’s future. The 44-year-old said during an appearance on Lenard McKelvey’s podcast Hell of a Week’s Season 2 premiere that it could be wise to end the comedy programme after 50 seasons.
On the show Hell of a Week this past Friday, July 29, Kenan Thompson spoke with presenter Charlamagne Tha God about the reports that Michael may be retiring after hitting 80 in just three seasons. After talking about Thompson’s visit on Mike Tyson’s podcast and moving on to SNL and Chris Rock’s status as a “white famous” black man and cast member, Charlamagne finally brought up the rumour that SNL would be ending after 50 years.
Is that the rumor?” Thompson asked “All right. Well, I need to start planning.” After some lighthearted banter, the seasoned cast member took the subject seriously. Because 50 is a decent number to stop at, Thompson remarked, “I mean, there may be a lot of reality to that rumour.”
Michaels appeared on CBS Morning with Gayle King in the latter part of last year and clarified his position, “I think I’m committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years. I’d like to see that through, and I have a feeling that would be a really good time to leave.” The still-speculative conclusion would force SNL to end after the 2024–2025 season.
Thompson remarked about Michaels, who has produced SNL from its inception. He said, “He’s the one that’s had his touch on the whole thing.” From the cast member’s point of view, without Michaels it would not be possible to continue with “the same kind of show”. Since 2003, Thompson has been a part of the NBC comedic sketch show.
Thompson was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on Saturday Night Live, and he won one of them. Charlamagne questioned Thompson about his plans for the future. With his production company and his desire to become a producer and provide work for others, the SNL star doesn’t seem to be concerned about his possibilities for the future.