Kenan Thompson Returning To SNL Next Season
NBC confirmed that Kenan Thompson – the longest-tenured current cast member of Saturday Night Live – is set to return to the network’s legendary sketch comedy program next season. The upcoming season will mark the 41st for SNL and the 13th season for Thompson as part of the cast.
Thompson confirmed his plans to return on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. Maron asked Thompson, “Is this it?” referring to whether Thompson will be leaving the show after this banner 40th anniversary season. Thompson’s response was clear: “No.” NBC later confirmed that Thompson is indeed returning to the show.
Thompson is known for countless impressions, notably Steve Harvey and Al Sharpton, among others. At the start of the season, current co-head writer Bryan Tucker wrote a piece for Slate praising Thompson’s versatility, “because Kenan knows how to take ordinary lines and make them funny, and take funny lines and make them special.” Tucker called Thompson “one of the few cast members who writers lean on. Put him in your sketch somewhere, anywhere, and your sketch will get better.”
Fortunately for SNL writers and fans, Thompson will be back for at least one more season.
