The comedian made his debut on NBC’s Late Show on October 4, 2003 and has been making audiences laugh ever since.
Kenan Thompson celebrates 20 years Saturday night live!
The 45-year-old comedian marks his two-decade milestone on Wednesday. He debuted on NBC’s Late Show on October 4, 2003 and has been making audiences laugh ever since.
Last year, Thompson opened up to PEOPLE about what keeps him coming back to the sketch comedy series.
“It’s always new every time,” he said on the red carpet at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. “It’s so exciting. It’s really exciting to find new, funny things, especially when you’re at the end of your tenure.”
Thompson pointed to several of his recent characters, including Kendrick Perkins and LaVar Ball, as ideas for sketches that didn’t come until late in his SNL career. “[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 anything, 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 lines from Saturday night live.
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Lobster dinner
After a patron (Pete Davidson) shocks the diner by ordering seafood, Thompson – dressed as a lobster – begins to sing to explain why crabs are never sold. He is joined by the restaurant staff (guest host John Mulaney, Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon) in song.
What about that?
Thompson is unstoppable when he takes on the role of musical host Diondre Cole in this sketch, which also stars Samuel 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. Thompson, who plays host Steve Harvey, is forced to be in the middle when a man (Tracy Morgan) and his new wife (Strong) confront his ex-wife (Leslie Jones) and children.
Kenan Thompson Says There’s Always More For Him On ‘Saturday Night Live’
The Eternal Spark of Love: An Office Romance
Thompson — dressed in a sparkly blue jacket — narrates a skit in which Michelle (Jennifer Lopez) flirts with her new co-star (Jason Sudeikis), but things go awry when he discovers she’s obsessed with ventriloquist dolls.
Cinema Classics: Gaslight
In this classic skit, Thompson, as host Reese De’What, introduces the 1944 film Gaslight and explains how it inspired the popular catchphrase.
Live report
A reporter’s (Thompson) local news coverage goes astray when he is shocked to learn that a beautiful woman (Margot Robbie) is married to an impressive man (Mikey Day).
Black danger
Darnell Hayesin (Thompson) returns as host of Black Jeopardy and comes into contact with a contestant named Doug (Tom Hanks), who is on the opposite side of the political spectrum.
Kenan & Kelly
Thompson is reimagining his iconic Nickelodeon sitcom from the ’90s Kenan & Kel with help from Keke Palmer.
Funeral service
Two friends (Thompson and Scarlett Johansson) share an unusual musical tribute to their late friend, which leaves the bereaved confused before accepting it.
The Romance of the Bookstore
Employees of erotic bookstores (Aidy Bryant, John Cena and Thompson) act out fantasies in the novels they sell.
First date
A woman (Gal Gadot) goes on a date with a man who, unbeknownst to her, is OJ Simpson. During the date, she slowly realizes that he is a former runner who made headlines when he was accused of murdering two people.
Kenan Thompson on his secret weapon for launching a career as a comic: ‘I have a cute face’
Auditions for the prince
Rami Malek and Thompson face off at the audition for the role of Prince. Each performer shows their best impression of the “Purple Rain” singer.
Sump’n Claus
Sump’n Claus (Thompson) makes sure there’s something for everyone, whether you’ve been bad or good.
Two Worlds Collide ft. Reba McEntire
Thompson steps into the role of Reba McEntire for a duet with Andy Samberg. As the two share their love for each other, Samberg’s friends question who McEntire really is.
Holiday gig
The band’s holiday musical performance goes awry when Thompson and Eddie Murphy mess up on stage.
Come back, Barack
Thompson, Chris Redd and Chance the Rapper long for Barack Obama’s return in this throwback R&B ballad. The 2017 song also includes the line “I would have voted for Joe Biden” long before he became president in 2021.
Kenan Thompson Names ‘SNL’ Alum He’d Like to Work With: ‘Very Close Big Brother’
walk
A group of voters (Thompson, Reed, Ego Nwodim, Punkie Johnson) try to make their way to the polls, but face obstacles including a poll worker (Mulaney) who turns them away in this skit, which highlights voter suppression.
Politics of the Nation: The 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 would happen if the Trumps (Thompson, Redd and Ego Nwodim) were a black family? This sketch answers that question.
Weekend Update: 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 about Donald Trump’s use of their music at his political rallies.
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Saturday night live can be streamed on Peacock.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education