Kenan Thompson Shares His Theory About ‘SNL’s Long-Running Success After Over Two Decades On The Show

And live from New York…it’s Kenan Thompson! 

Fans of Saturday Night Live know and love Thompson’s presence on the show. He is well known for being the longest-running cast member in the show’s history, boasting a 21-year stint and counting. 

Thompson recently spoke at Cannes Lions about the success of SNL over the last 50 years and the most important changes he’s noticed, per Deadline. He said that one of the biggest changes SNL has made over the years is diversifying its cast, which may just be what propelled the show into its historic 50th year. 

“For decades, SNL had only one maybe two Black cast members,” Thompson said at the festival, according to Deadine’s report. “Today, I’m one of five, and we also have Asian, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ members in our cast. It’s just not about appearances, it allows the show to do comedy it never could before. With a sketch like ‘Black Jeopardy’, it only works if we have enough Black cast members to make it feel authentic to the community. Sketches like ‘Black Jeopardy’ open up the show to a whole new audience who never felt the show was for them.”

Thompson went on, “My boss Lorne Michaels likes to remind us that we’re on in all 52 states. It’s his way of saying we’re a big tent show and our mission is to appeal to all ages and ideologies, just one night when we Americans and all of us across the globe come together and laugh at stuff. The big tent that Lorne Michaels always talks about just keeps getting bigger.”

SNL has long been a show that bridged the divide between more serious world issues and humor. Thompson used the examples of impersonating O.J. Simpson and Bill Cosby on the show.

 “Even though the humor was a little dark, I still tried to have fun with it,” Thompson said. “If we can laugh about something, it’s one step closer to healing.

“Humor cuts through the noise,” he continued. “We live in a state of constant assault on our senses, but if something is funny, you’ll seek it out. People will pass it around to lighten the day. It doesn’t mean we shy away from tough stuff, humor is one of the best ways to deal with rough things going on in the world.”

For its 50th anniversary, SNL is set to air a live three-hour long special on Feb. 16, 2025 from 8 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET. The event is sure to feature many fan-favorite cast members and hosts, past and present.

SNL Season 50 is set to premiere this fall on NBC and Peacock.