Kenan Thompson has been a longtime staple on “Saturday Night Live” since he joined the sketch show in 2003.
However, the 44-year-old comedian thinks it’s time for the iconic NBC series to say goodbye after its 50th season.
Thompson recently appeared on Charlemagne Tha God’s “Hell of a Week” series and he noted that if creator Lorne Michaels retires after the 2024-2025 season, then the show could properly come to an end.
The radio personality, also 44, asked the Nickelodeon alum about “SNL” ending rumors and Michaels’ possible departure.
“The rumor is, the show is ending at its 50th season because Mr. Lorne Michaels doesn’t want to do it after age 80. Is that true?” Charlamagne wondered.
“Is that the rumor,” Thompson replied. “Alright I need to start planning.”
Michaels, 77, created “SNL” in 1975 and has been the showrunner for most of its multi-decade run. He only stopped producing the show from 1980-85.
“There could be a lot of validity to that rumour, because 50 is a good number to stop at.” Thompson went on. “That’s an incredible package. He will be, probably, close to 80 years old at that point, and you know, he’s the one who’s had his touch on the whole thing.”
The “Kenan and Ken” star continued: “So, if somebody tries to come into his shoes, you know it’s a good opportunity for NBC to save money as well, you know what I’m saying?”
“[NBC] might slash the budget and then at that point, you can’t really do the same kind of show. So that’s unfair to watch it just really go down kind of in flames for real because of those restrictions…. so capping it a 50 might not be a bad idea,” he said.
“[Michaels] is such a legend that he keeps off those corporate wolves if you will,” Thompson explained.
He concluded: “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.”
Michaels previously added to the speculation that the comedy show could end during its 50th year in 2025 in an interview with CBS last December.
“You know, I think I’m committed to doing this show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years,” the Canadian-born entertainer said at the time.
He went on: “I’d like to see that through and I have a feeling that’d be a really good time to leave. But… I won’t want the show ever to be bad. I care too deeply about it. It’s been my life’s work. So I’m going to do everything I can to see it carry on.”
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