Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving cast member in Saturday Night Live history, has already started to pass on tips that big changes are coming. The legendary program is preparing for its 51st season! Now having starred in 22 seasons, Thompson has become the embodiment of the late-night sketch comedy series. As of now, he hasn’t signed on for a third season officially, leaving coworkers and fans alike to ponder what his future may hold.
Thompson’s tenure on “Saturday Night Live” has already made him the longest-serving cast member in the show’s history, topping all other cast members in number of seasons. His creative contributions will forever be felt through the indelible lens of the show’s legacy. Only recently, though, he admitted that the upcoming season should go in a new direction. “It feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” Thompson explained during a recent interview.
Though he has the most experience with the show, Thompson is leaving the door open to his comeback. When looking back on his time working with “Saturday Night Live,” he said this when addressing his doubts. “You just never know what the future holds,” he stated, emphasizing that the dynamics of the cast could shift dramatically in upcoming episodes.
As you would imagine, the speculation around Thompson’s future runs thick. He’s not formally signed on to a 23rd season, which compounds the intrigue. This uncertainty leaves much in doubt about the show’s future direction, and who will be featured in its next chapter. Fans are hugely excited to see how these radical changes are going to play out. They understandably want to know how it will affect the format and style of the show.
Fellow cast member and headwriter Colin Jost spoke to Thompson’s impact, dedication, and rare commitment to the show. “Lorne, I’ll do anything to run this show,” he remarked, highlighting the collaborative spirit that exists among the cast and crew.
As “Saturday Night Live” prepares for another season, viewers and industry insiders alike await confirmation of the cast lineup and any potential changes to the show’s structure. With such uncertainty around what Thompson’s future should look like, there are plenty still eager to see how this story develops.
