Longtime “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kenan Thompson is hinting at some major changes in Studio 8H.
In a recent conversation with Page Six, Thompson said that the cast of the prolific late-night sketch show may shift as “SNL” prepares for its 51st season.
“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” Thompson explained. “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.”
Thompson has appeared in more seasons than any cast member in the show’s history at 22. Although he hasn’t signed on for his 23rd, he’s keeping an open mind about once again returning to “SNL.”
“You just never know what the future holds,” he said. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at ‘SNL’ but there’s no guarantees, I guess.”
He maintained that “SNL” is still “one of his favorite places to be” despite his decades of commitment to the show.
Thompson has always been a staunch defender of “SNL,” and recently came to the defense of the show after musical guest Morgan Wallen abruptly walked off stage during the cast curtain call. Some interpreted the viral moment as a sign of disrespect.
“I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they decide to do stuff like that,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if he understood the assignment or not, or if he was really feeling a certain kind of way.”
