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Kenan Thompson says to expect "a lot of change" before the next season of "SNL"

By Chris Morgan | Last updated May 27, 2025 4:43 PM ET

Kenan Thompson has been on "Saturday Night Live" since 2003. He is, by a wide margin, the longest-tenured cast member in "SNL" history. Thompson probably knows how to read the room on that show as well as anybody this side of Lorne Michaels. Thus, when Thompson says that change is on the way after the end of the 50th season of "SNL," it's probably going to be the case.

Granted, there is basically change between seasons of "SNL" each and every time. That being said, Thompson's words indicate that he's expecting something more than the norm. He called the season finale "bittersweet," clarifying, "Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year."

Sure, "maybe, possibly" are a pair of qualifiers, but "a lot of change" also draws the eye. Thompson then added, "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."

By this point, a few cast members are at, or over, seven seasons. On top of that, murmurs have been murmured about Bowen Yang and Sarah Sherman moving on. There have been sea changes cast-wise in the past on "SNL." Thompson has seen a few of those, and it seems like he thinks he's about to see another.

(h/t The Hollywood Reporter)

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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