Few shows have had the massive longevity as NBC's flagship comedy series,Saturday Night Live.Spanning five decades, dozens of cast members and hundreds of hosts,SNLhas consistently delighted mainstream viewers from its initial inception in 1975 all the way up to its historic 50th season this past year. However, like all great shows, the past doesn't necessarily dictate the future when it comes toSNL's creative direction. Requiring constant growth and change in order to stick with the times,SNLhas continuously evolved to reflect the shifting sensibilities of its viewership. Looking to the future, longtime cast member Kenan Thompson has hinted at the possible changes ahead for Lorne Michaels' classic sketch show. In an interview withPage Six, the 47-year-old comedian confirmed there might be some potential changes in the show's cast list asSNLprepares to enter its 51st season on television, referring to the close of Season 50 as "bittersweet." ("Especially this year where it feels like there's maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year," elaborated Thompson.) The final episode ofSNL's 50th season came littered allusions to cast members' potential departures, with Sara Sherman hinting she might be leaving and Colin Jost joking that he was currently eyeing Lorne Michaels' position behind-the-scenes. For Thompson -- who has been on the series since 2003 -- the changes ahead might be difficult for the cast endure, but they're ultimately necessary forSNL's continued success. "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," Thompson said. As for his own place onSNL, Thompson confirmed that, while he's unlikely to depart from the show any time soon, the future remains in a constant state of flux -- much likeSNLitself. "You just never know what the future holds," Thompson said. "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 atSNLbut there's no guarantees, I guess." 'Saturday Night Live' Star Hints at Big Shake-Up for Season 51first appeared on Parade on May 25, 2025
