The TV personality is open to the idea that the show's creator Lorne Michaels would end the program following its 50th anniversary in 2025, noting that '50 is a good number to stop at.'
- Jul 31, 2022
AceShowbiz - Kenan Thompson has weighed in on reports that "Saturday Night Live" will end in 2025. In a new interview, the longtime host of the show said that he could understand the NBC show coming to an end after 50 seasons.
The show's creator Lorne Michaels has suggested that the program could come to an end following the 50th anniversary in 2025 and Kenan is open to the idea. Kenan said in an appearance on "Hell of a Week", "Is that the rumor? All right, well, I need to start planning. There could be a lot of validity to that rumor because 50 is a good number to stop at. That's an incredible package."
Kenan, who has been part of the comedy show since 2003 and is the longest-serving cast member in the the program's history, believes there would be little point in carrying on if Michaels is no longer involved. He said, "He's the one that's had his touch on the whole thing. It opens the opportunity for a lot of b******* to come into the game because he's such a legend that he keeps off those corporate wolves."
Kenan revealed that he could understand if NBC slashed the budget for the program if the creator decided to step away. The comic said, "At that point, you can't really do the same kind of show. They spend a lot of money on that show every week. It's an expensive show, but it's a one-of-a-kind thing. It's the only one. You know, 'Live from New York'."
Kenan previously hinted that he would like to stay on the program until its 50th season following the departures of stars such as Pete Davidson and Kate McKinnon. Asked if he's planning to leave, he said, "I mean, not that I know of." He added, "I know we at least trying to get to the 50th, 'cause that's gonna be a special year, you know what I mean? And then after that, it's like, I don't know exactly how long I can do it."
