Peacock’s new docuseriesSNL50: Beyond Saturday Nighttakes a look back at the show’s history and some of its most iconic cast members, including the show’s longest-running cast member. With the historic comedy sketch showSaturday Night Livenow in its 50th season, NBC and Peacock revealnever-before-seen details and footage in the newSNL50docuseries that first started in 1975, as chronicled in the recent filmSaturday Nightdirected by Jason Reitman.
Saturday Night Livecreator Lorne Michaels has remained the head producer of the iconic series since its inception. SNL has already revealed several of its first 2025 guests, which include Dave Chappelle on August 04, 2025 andTimothée Chalamet, who will also be the musical guestfollowing his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, on June 27, 2025. Several longstandingcast members have returned forSNLseason 50, including Weekend Update hostsMichael Che and Colin Jost, Heidi Gardner, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, and Kenan Thompson.
Kenan Thompson Is SNL’s Longest-Running Cast Member After Starring For 22 Years
He first joined in 2003 in SNL season 29
Kenan Thompson is the longest-running cast member in the history ofSaturday Night Live. After first joining the cast in 2003, he has been a recurring cast member of the historic sketch comedy series for 22 consecutive series. When Thompson first joinedSNLduring its 29th season, some of his fellowcast members included Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, and Weekend Update hosts Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. Fred Armisen joined the cast in 2002, while Jason Sudeikis was hired as a writer in 2003.
8 Funniest SNL Sketches From the Last 5 Years
These are our favorite SNL sketches from the more recent years.
Kenan is beloved for being a key part of some of the funniest and more memorable sketches inSNLhistory. Some of his most famous sketches include “Black Jeopardy!” where he hosts as Darnell Hayes, “What Up with That?” where he hosts as Diondre Cole, and frequent Weekend Update character Jean K. Jean, a French comedian. By comparison,Colin Jost has been working forSNLfor 20 seasons after being hired as a writer in 2005and landing a Weekend Update spot in 2014. Jost is the longest-tenured Weekend Update host inSNL’shistory.
Why Kenan Thompson Has Stayed On SNL For So Many Years
He’s won an Emmy for SNL and is consistently beloved year after year
Longtime fans of Kenan Thompson will recognize him from his prominent role in theNickelodeon sketch comedy seriesAll Thatand his classic sitcomKenan & Kel. He then starred inGood Burgerwith Kel Mitchell in 1997, with both actors returning for the 2023 sequel. While Thompson has ventured outside ofSaturday Night Liveover the past two decades, even starring in his own NBC series titledKenanin 2021 and 2022, he is an invaluable member of the cast. Thompson has been nominated for 5 Emmys forSaturday Night Live, winning one in 2018, so it’s not surprising that he’s stuck with it for so long.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
Cast
SN50: Beyond Saturday Night is a four-part docuseries that honors SNL’s legacy, featuring over 60 contributors. It examines the audition process, the writers’ room, iconic sketches like “More Cowbell,” and pivotal events like Season 11, providing an in-depth look at the show’s rich history and influence.
