(And No, He’s Not Talking About New Ketchup Flavors)
Alright comedy nerds, brace yourselves—Kenan Thompson, the human time capsule who’s been on Saturday Night Live since what feels like the dawn of Wi-Fi, just dropped some spicy hints about Season 51 of the show. Yes, FIFTY. ONE. That’s more seasons than there are fast food chicken sandwiches.
The 47-year-old sketch legend (and unofficial Mayor of NBC) casually teased that some changes might be cookin’ behind Studio 8H’s doors. And no, not just the writers finally figuring out how to use TikTok.
In a chat with Page Six, Kenan got all cryptic-uncle-at-the-BBQ on us, saying:
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year.”
Translation: Something’s up, but I legally can’t say what without getting tackled by Lorne Michaels in a three-piece suit.
He went on to get a little sentimental, saying,
“You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer…it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
Awww. We’re not crying. YOU’RE crying. Okay, we’re all crying. But also—is he saying the cast is like his kids? Because if so, Bowen Yang better start calling him Dad.
And here’s the kicker: Kenan hasn’t officially re-upped for Season 51.
Yup, after 22 seasons—TWENTY-TWO—he’s playing it coy.
“You just never know what the future holds,” he mused, like a comedy Gandalf.
He added that he doesn’t want to be “the stale old man riding the same thing.” (Honestly, same. That’s why we all quit that gym membership we got in 2021.) He reassured us, though, that SNL is still “one of his favorite places to be.” Which makes sense—where else can you dress like an alien politician one minute and a grandma who raps the next?
So… what does it all mean? Cast shake-ups? Surprise exits? A surprise return of the Kenan & Kel duo?! No one knows for sure. But one thing’s certain: if Kenan does hang up his sketch comedy sneakers, we’ll all be ugly crying into our Weekend Update mugs.
Stay tuned. And maybe learn how to do a decent Lorne Michaels impression—just in case you’re needed.