Kenan Thompson
Season 50 of Saturday Night Live wrapped up recently with an episode hosted by Scarlett Johansson, marking a “bittersweet” end according to longtime cast member Kenan Thompson. In a conversation with Page Six, Thompson dropped intriguing hints about significant changes anticipated for the show’s upcoming season, especially concerning its cast.
Thompson, who’s been a fixture on SNL since its 29th season in 2003, commented on the emotional uncertainty accompanying potential changes: “Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” he noted. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer… it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
Though no official announcements have been made about the cast for season 51, the internet buzzes with speculation of a major cast shake-up. Thompson admitted that he hasn’t yet signed a contract for the new season, reflecting on the unpredictability of the future: “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.”
As the show approaches its 51st season, fans are fervently guessing which beloved members might leave, though SNL traditionally holds off on revealing any such changes until just before the fall premiere. A shuffle seems plausible given the tenure of several key players—Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, and Ego Nwodim—who have all been on the stage for seven seasons or more. The suspense heightens anticipation for what fresh dynamics the potential shake-up could bring to this iconic comedy institution.
