With Saturday Night Live back in session, it's once again easy to get lost in debates about perceived drop-offs in quality and the series' continued failure to adequately satirize White House-related shit. This, of course, unfortunately leaves viewers’ little room to properly appreciate the fact that Kenan Thompson's presence on the landmark NBC series remains ongoing, further extending the longevity of the beloved former All That and Kenan & Kel star's decades-long career.
Addressing attendees of the New Yorker Festival over the weekend, Thompson touched on a wide variety of topics, including the Shane Gillis firing and the fallout surrounding Bill Cosby's downfall. Addressing the Gillis situation, Thompson explained how the firing fit into what he sees as SNL's branding.
"It's very touchy out there," he said, perDeadline. "It's interesting to see things like that happen, whatever side of the argument you're on. I don't think any of us who work there go out with the intent to offend or people or hurt anyone's feelings. Matching with that ideology, that's the brand [show producers and NBC] want to keep alive."
On matters of Cosby, Thompson—who's portrayed the disgraced comedian on multiple occasions—relayed the personal heartbreak he felt as a longtime fan of the comedian's work.
"It’s one of the more heartbreaking things of my life," he said, noting that Cosby was "the first comedian I grew to know." Later playing an in-jail Cosby (who was ultimately found guilty of multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault), however, proved to be no issue for him.
"My job is to hold a mirror up to what life is," Thompson explained.
Thompson also talked the infamous Ashlee Simpson backing track incident, his favorite hosts Tom Hanks and Dave Chappelle, and much more. All that is available here.
Thompson, notably, also now has in the works another NBC series in the form of The Kenan Show. The Jackie Clarke-penned pilot for the series, formerly titled Saving Kenan, will be directed by Chris Rock.
