‘I think 20 is a good round number, even’: Kenan Thompson of Saturday Night Live at the milestone he set as a goal for the NBC stalwart … while he debuts new sitcom on NBC
Kenan Thompson says he would love to reach the 20-year milestone in his Saturday Night Live season.
“I have a number that I would love to see,” the actor / comedian, 42, told Variety in a profile posted on Wednesday, as the star prepares to debut the new self-titled sitcom Kenan on NBC.
“I think 20 is a good, round and even number I’m close to,” Thompson, who made his program debut in 2003, told the channel. ‘I feel it is within reach, but it would also be respected if I don’t get there.
The most recent: Kenan Thompson, 42, says he would love to reach the 20-year milestone on his Saturday Night Live
‘Like, 18 is good, 19 is good. It doesn’t really matter. What does it matter if I have time for my family? There are only 24 hours in a day. ‘
The Atlanta-born star plans to use comedy as a platform to represent black fatherhood, as he was “wanting to be in the fight” after watching demonstrations against racial discrimination and police brutality after George Floyd’s murder last year .
“Having to fight at a distance because I have to take care of my home,” Thompson told the publication. – But, making sure I can use my platform, I’ll do it.
‘Trying to put out the fire of extreme frustration and anger and channel that energy where it can really make a direct change, or just pay attention to Stacey Abrams in general.’
Thompson was seen on an SNL segment with Ego Nwodim and Kyle Mooney in the latest edition of the show
Moving on: Thompson spoke to Variety in a profile posted on Wednesday, as he prepares to debut the new self-titled sitcom Kenan on NBC
On the show, Thompson plays a widowed father, as he told the channel he intends to make an impact comparable to what The Cosby Show did in the 1980s: ‘It was a show that brought everyone together, and it was all positive.’
He said of Cosby, who has already been convicted of crimes of sexual abuse, that it is difficult for him to ‘separate man from art’ and that his show ‘will have no drama attached to him like that’.
SNL creator Lorne Michaels, 76, who is the executive producer of Thompson’s new show, praised the artist for his versatility and said he ‘may be a genius.
“There’s nothing he can’t do,” said Michaels of Thompson, who received four Emmy mentions for his work over 17 seasons on the comedy show. “He is one of the greatest of all time.”
Spotlight: Thompson is seen on his new show with Dannah Lane
Thompson’s SNL costar Chris Redd, 35, explained to Variety how he plans to learn from Thompson, who he calls ‘the wise man’.
“I’m constantly asking how things were compared to now, and they are always the most interesting stories,” he told the outlet. ‘I remember having a conversation with him and Maya Rudolph, and at some point, you sit back and hear them share stories about how things were then and now.
‘I just take your brain and I want to learn. And I want to make sure that I’m doing my best to impress this guy. This guy made me laugh for years. ‘
Kenan debuts on NBC on February 16.