Kenan Thompson attends the 2022 People’s Choice Awards on December 6, 2022.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Kenan Thompsonis celebrating 20 years onSaturday Night Live!
The 45-year-old comedian marks his two-decade-long milestone on Wednesday. He made his debut on the NBC late show on October 4, 2003, and has been making audiences laugh ever since.
Last year, Thompson opened up to PEOPLE about what keeps himcoming backto the sketch comedy series.
“It’s always new every time,” he said on the 74th PrimetimeEmmy Awardsred carpet. “It’s exciting like that. It’s really exciting to find new, funny things, especially when you’re further down your tenure.”
Thompson pointed to a few of his recent characters, including Kendrick Perkins and LaVar Ball, as sketch ideas that didn’t arise until late into hisSNLcareer. “[My] season 19 I’m finding a character to do,” he said. “There’s always more to do, and if I’m not in anybody’s way or nothing, and they keep calling me, like, what am I supposed to do. Tell them no?”
In honor of the milestone, here’s a look back at Thompson’s funniest sketches fromSaturday Night Live.
Diner Lobster
What Up With That?
Thompson can’t be stopped when he takes on the role of musical host Diondre Cole in this sketch, which also starsSamuel L. Jackson, Lindsey Buckingham (Bill Hader) and Jackie Rogers Jr. (Martin Short).
Family Feud: Extended Family
The family feud becomes all too real during this game show. Thompson, playing hostSteve Harvey, is forced to be the middle when a man (Tracy Morgan) and his new wife (Strong) face against his ex-wife (Leslie Jones) and kids.
Eternal Spark of Love: Office Romance
Thompson — dressed in a sparkly blue blazer — narrates a sketch in which Michelle (Jennifer Lopez) flirts with her new coworker (Jason Sudeikis) but things go awry when she reveals that she is obsessed with ventriloquist dummies.
Cinema Classics: Gaslight
In this classic sketch, Thompson, as host Reese De’What, presents the 1944 film Gaslight and explains how it inspired the popular phrase.
Live Report
A reporter’s (Thompson) local news report goes off track when he is shocked to learn a beautiful woman (Margot Robbie) is married to an impressive man (Mikey Day).
Black Jeopardy
Darnell Hayesin (Thompson) returns as host of Black Jeopardy and engages with a contestant named Doug (Tom Hanks), who is the opposite side of the political aisle.
Kenan & Kelly
Thompson reimagines his iconic Nickelodeon 90s sitcomKenan & Kelwith the help ofKeke Palmer.
Funeral Service
Two friends (Thompson andScarlett Johansson) share an unusual musical tribute to their late pal, which leaves fellow mourners confused before they embrace it.
Romance Bookstore
Erotic bookstore employees (Aidy Bryant,John Cenaand Thompson) act out the fantasies in the novels they’re selling.
First Date
A woman (Gal Gadot) goes on a date with a man, who unbeknownst to her is O.J. Simpson. Over the course of the date, she slowly realizes he is the former running back who made headlines when he was accused of murdering two people.
Prince Auditions
Rami Malek and Thompson face off at an audition to score the role of Prince. Each performer show off his best impression of the “Purple Rain” singer.
Sump’n Claus
Sump’n Claus (Thompson) makes sure there is something for everyone, no matter if you’ve been naughty or nice.
Two Worlds Collide ft. Reba McEntire
Thompson steps into the role of Reba McEntire for a duet withAndy Samberg. While the two share their love for one another, Samberg’s friends question who McEntire really is.
Holiday Gig
A band’s holiday musical performance goes awry when Thompson andEddie Murphyscrabble on stage.
Come Back, Barack
Thompson, Chris Redd, andChance the Rapperare longing for the return ofBarack Obamain this throwback R&B ballad. The 2017 song also includes the line, “I’d vote for Joe Biden” long before he became president in 2021.
Strollin'
A group of voters (Thompson, Reed, Ego Nwodim, Punkie Johnson) try to make their way to the polls but they face hurdles including poll worker (Mulaney) turning them away in this sketch, which highlights voter suppression.
Politics Nation: Voter ID Disaster
Al Sharpton (Thompson) and statistical analyst Charles Richards (Al Sharpton) discuss the popularity of various presidential candidates among Black voters.
Them Trumps: State of the Union
What happens if the Trumps (Thompson, Redd and Ego Nwodim) were a black family? This sketch answers that question.
Weekend Update: The Village People on Donald Trump Using Their Music
The Village People (Thompson, Redd, Mikey Day, Beck Bennett, Bowen Yang) make a statement on Weekend Update aboutDonald Trumpusing their music at his political rallies.
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source: people.com
