Saturday Night Live, one of NBC’s most enduring programs, may be facing major changes ahead. A key cast member recently hinted in an interview that the next season could see a reshuffling of the lineup. Of course, this has led to widespread speculation about who might be leaving, who could be staying, and which new talents might be stepping into the spotlight. However, nothing has been officially announced yet, so fans will have to wait for more concrete updates as the show gears up for its fifty-first season.
On Wednesday, May 21, at the Reel Works 24th Changemakers Gala, Page Six got the opportunity to speak with longtime SNL cast member Kenan Thompson, who shared insights about the show's future and hinted at significant changes possibly coming to the cast in the upcoming installment.
He called the SNL season 50 finale "bittersweet" and teased that “maybe, possibly, a lot of change” could be on the horizon for season 51. Thompson also shared a heartfelt analogy to convey the difficulty of seeing cast members depart from the popular late-night live sketch comedy show.
"You want everybody to stay forever. Knowing that people might be making decisions this summer or whatever, it's always just like you want your kids to stay young. You just want to keep them with you all the time." - Kenan Thompson
The SNL season 50 finale playfully teased that Sarah Sherman was leaving, and saw Colin Jost joke about wanting to take over as boss from Lorne Michaels. However, it's worth noting that Lorne Michaels, the show's creator and producer, has no plans to retire anytime soon. He told The Hollywood Reporter this much last year, stating that he had no "immediate" plans to retire.
While none of the cast members have announced their official departures, it’s clear that transitions could be on the table as SNL moves into a new season. Thompson, who has been with the show for over two decades, making him the longest-running cast member, revealed that he has yet to sign a contract for SNL season 51, leaving his own return up in the air. Though he’s hopeful about coming back, Thompson essentially admitted to Page Six that he doesn't want to overstay his welcome or become someone who's just hanging on without adding fresh value to the show.
"You just never know what the future holds. I don’t want to be in the way of someone else or I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at ‘SNL’ but there’s no guarantees, I guess.” - Kenan Thompson
In my personal opinion, I think it would be a bad move if SNL were to lose Thompson. His comedic timing, versatility, and years of experience have made him a staple on the show and a fan favorite. It just wouldn't make sense to part ways with someone who has consistently delivered laughs and helped shape the identity of the show for over 20 years. I'm confident that SNL will ultimately make the right decision and renew his contract.
As new information about the upcoming SNL season 51 is revealed, we'll be sure to return and share everything we learned. So, make sure to stay tuned to GeekSided!