SNL’s Kenan Thompson Opens Up About The Emotional Downside To Being On The Sketch Show For So Many Years

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As a devoted fan who has witnessed Kenan Thompson‘s remarkable 20-year journey with Saturday Night Live (SNL), I can truly appreciate his insights into the bittersweet nature of longevity on television. The laughter, camaraderie, and creativity that SNL brings are unparalleled, but as Kenan so eloquently pointed out, there’s a darker side to this comedic powerhouse.

Among all the notable Saturday Night Live performers who’ve come and gone throughout the years, it’s only Kenan Thompson who’s managed to maintain a permanent position in the cast for over two decades. As the longest-serving SNL cast member on the NBC show, the original All That star has been pivotal to many of its most memorable and successful sketches in this century. However, such extensive TV tenure can occasionally bring about some drawbacks as well.

During Season 50’s ongoing success in the 2024 TV lineup, Thompson teamed up with fellow cast member Ego Nwodim on an episode of her podcast “Thanks Dad“. They shared insights about life, particularly on recognizing when to pause in one’s career. Additionally, they discussed less-frequently mentioned emotions that arise during their SNL anniversary celebrations, emphasizing the frequent encounters they and others have with losing dear friends and colleagues. In his own words:

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Over a prolonged period, you’ve had the opportunity to observe individuals arriving and departing. This includes experiencing the ending of friendships and feeling sorrow for the absence of certain people. There’s a mix of sweetness and sadness in these experiences.

Discussing the fact that he had experienced numerous departures among cast members and friends during his tenure, here’s a list of some talented individuals who joined and then left ‘Saturday Night Live’ while Thompson was still a part of the team.

  • Andy Samberg
  • Kristen Wiig
  • Jason Sudeikis
  • Kate McKinnon
  • Pete Davidson
  • Leslie Jones
  • Bobby Moynihan
  • Vanessa Byer
  • Bill Hader

After departing from the long-running NBC show, many prominent comedy actors continued their success in various hit series and films. Notably, mega-producer Lorne Michaels was frequently involved in some of these subsequent projects. For instance, Kenan Thompson, who has been a part of Saturday Night Live since 2003, also starred in his own NBC sitcom, featured in Good Burger 2, and produced annual Olympics specials, among other notable roles.

However, it’s the Saturday Night Team he’s most accustomed to working with every week throughout the years. This team not only includes his comedic co-stars, but also those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Regrettably, since there’s usually a steady flow of work, crew members often leave for good when their roles come to an end.

Kenan Thompson acknowledged that feelings towards co-stars can run deeper than simply wishing them luck on their future projects. In his words: “There’s more to it than just saying goodbye and moving on.

Experiencing the loss of team members has been a significant and weighty aspect of our journey, rather than simply boiling it down to “I’ve been here a long time, so things are great for me.

As thrilling as it may seem to be part of a highly successful TV series, Thompson insightfully highlights that the reality isn’t always as rosy. The ‘greener grass’ isn’t consistently lush and vibrant. Every situation has its drawbacks. Yet, having a job that involves skating on ice regularly certainly softens the melancholic moments.

Saturday Night Live might be going on a brief hiatus within the upcoming months, then resuming its 2025 television lineup with fresh episodes, culminating in those prior to the Presidential inauguration.

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2024-11-11 18:37