With 28+ years of television and movie credits under his belt and as the longest-tenured Saturday Night Live cast member, Kenan Thompson‘s career is one any actor would wish for.
From his early days as a Nickelodeon star in the hit show All That to receiving his show Kenan & Kel with Kel Mitchell, Thompson has proven time and time again he can excel in any capacity and give his audience a good laugh.
Ahead of his hosting of the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, Mashable chatted with the 44-year-old actor about his career on SNL, a possible Kenan & Kel reboot, and what fans can expect from the Good Burger sequel, which Thompson announced at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in August.
Kenan Thompson talks Saturday Night Live‘s Season 48
With more than 1,500 sketches, The Mighty Ducks star has created numerous entertaining skits for Saturday Night Live, but told us his favorite thing is when the routines perform well on the late-night variety show. « It’s hard to pick favorites, » said Thompson. « My favorite thing is for it to go on the show and go well because there’s a chance things can derail. I love the ‘Scared Straight’ skit, ‘Black Jeopardy, and the ‘Family Feud’ sketch. It’s a blessing to name more than one. »
He also shared his favorite celebrity guest stars he worked with: « [Dave] Chappelle and [Tom] Hanks were like my two favorites. I’m sure I’ve had others, but I idolize those guys… Those were great experiences. »
He continued by opening up about the latest departures from the sketch show, as Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, and Pete Davidson all said their goodbyes after May’s season finale. « I think it shifts — everyone starts to get in gear when we have dramatic cast changes like that, » he said.
« At that point, we start aggressively looking for talent, hoping to get them in early to show them the ropes, » Thompson said. « It feels like everybody’s going back to work a few weeks earlier because of the massive shift occurring. At the same time, I view it like a machine. You feed it on a Wednesday, and it feeds you back on Saturday. If it all goes well, it’s all praise from family and friends telling you about the show by Monday. Conversely, it sucks when it doesn’t go as planned, but nobody will hit you up about missing the mark. »
Though Thompson declined to reveal what surprise guests might appear next season, he did say, « [Saturday Night Live is] notorious for making a call on a Friday evening and flying people in from the West Coast on Saturday » if a brilliant idea occurs.
Kenan Thompson could reunite with Kel Mitchell on Saturday Night Live
For years, fans have wished for a reunion between the actor and his partner-in-crime, Kel Mitchell. When asked about a reunion with his Good Burger co-star on the SNL stage, Thompson said, « I just need to write. »
« We have to write it; it would have to be funny and not seem forced, » he continued. « I would love it. I love performing with my brother. He’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. [Kel] is talented and righteous. He’s good people to be around. I would be down for it. We’d have to get it into the zeitgeist to make it make sense. The more things we do in real life, the more chance we have to satirize it. »
Kenan Thompson promises The Good Burger reboot will be « fresh »
Good Burger debuted on July 25, 1997, and grew a cult following over the years, coining the iconic phrase « Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take your order? »
The film followed Thompson and Mitchell and was based on a comedy sketch the duo performed on their sketch comedy series All That. In August, while receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Emmy-award winner announced that a sequel to the film is in the works.
The Emmy Awards host says the film will still feel « fresh, young, and energetic, » like the original for the newer generation.
« We’re looking to pick up where we left off, but hint towards a few things that have gone up and down in the years since we’ve seen these characters, » he explained. « I think the energy and performance we give in the sequel matters… It’s been 30 years. But we’re still young, so the film will feel young, fresh, and energetic. That’s what counts the most. Of course, the story will have a villain of some sort, but I want to see Kel physically doing stuff and for me to make funny faces and do what I do well. »
Thompson wants to reach out to the original cast, which included Moesha alum Shar Jackson, Sinbad, All That’s Josh Server, Freaks and Geeks alum Linda Cardellini, and many more, to participate. Unfortunately, some actors from the first film have passed away, including Abe Vigoda, who played the elderly employee, and Ron Lester, who played the cook.
Kenan Thompson would « love » to reboot Kenan & Kel
Lots of ’90s shows have gotten reboots recently, including Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Saved by the Bell, Full House, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Could Kenan & Kel be next?
« I would love to do it but with a twist, » Thompson said of a potential reboot.
« We are in the age of reboots, which is excellent. It’s nice to see them, » he mused. « There’s a Martin reboot, a Fresh Prince reboot, and even the cast of Friends reunited. We should do Kenan & Kel on ice and bring it to different towns. That would be a lot of fun. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing things live and in person. That would be very cool to do. »
The 74th Emmy Awards airs live on Sunday, Sept. 12, from coast to coast (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT) on NBC, and will also stream live and on-demand on Peacock.
