Kenan Thompson Recalls the “Saturday Night Live” Moment He’ll Never Forget, and It Involves Jack Black (Exclusive)

**Kenan Thompson Reflects on Two Decades with ‘Saturday Night Live’ During Broadway Debut**

Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving cast member of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), recently shared his cherished memories from the iconic show as he embarked on his Broadway journey with “Celebrity Autobiography.” At the opening night event held on 18 May at New York’s Shubert Theatre, the 48-year-old comedian recalled the experiences that have significantly marked his time on the late-night programme.

Thompson joined the cast of SNL in October 2003. His inaugural episode featured actor Jack Black as the host, an experience that Thompson recalls vividly. He revealed to PEOPLE how Black’s playful ribbing during the show helped him feel welcomed into the tight-knit ensemble from the very start.

Reflecting on Black’s monologue from that first episode, Thompson described how the actor asserted his stardom in an exaggerated fashion, even incorporating a comedic Botox treatment into his act. This moment, he said, showcased not only Black’s comedic style but also set the tone for his initiation into the cast.

In a memorable incident during the monologue, Black made light of Thompson and fellow cast member Finesse Mitchell, asking whether they were the new additions to the show before dismissively pushing them aside with, “Like I care.” This encounter, dismissed in jest by Black, made Thompson feel “initiated into the group,” a sentiment he finds significant after 22 seasons with the show.

Thompson’s initial appearance on SNL coincided with Black’s return as the host, marking his second stint. Black would go on to host the show three more times, thereby earning a place in the elite “Five-Timers Club” — a prestigious circle that Thompson has also been lucky enough to join.

As he reflected on the most recent season of SNL, which concluded on 16 May, Thompson described it as “crazy.” He noted that amidst the flurry of posts and summaries shared by cast members and fans alike, there were many moments he had forgotten, including the excitement of having former cast member Amy Poehler return to host the show. “It was a wild, wild season. It just blows by,” he remarked, capturing the essence of the fast-paced nature of both the show and his career.

Transitioning to the world of Broadway is a dream come true for Thompson, who expressed enthusiasm for the new challenges that lie ahead. He described performing on the Great White Way as a “legendary” experience, one that all aspiring actors hope to achieve. “You never really know if you’re ever going to get there,” he said, reflecting on his journey as a performer. “But we actually are right here, right now. So that’s amazing.”

Before his tenure on SNL, Thompson was already making waves in the entertainment industry. He was a child star featured in the “Mighty Ducks” films before gaining more prominence on Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy series, “All That,” which debuted in 1994. He later starred alongside Kel Mitchell in the beloved show “Kenan & Kel,” and they reunited in 2023 for a sequel to their classic film “Good Burger.”

Currently, Thompson is set for an extended run in “Celebrity Autobiography,” where he joins a rotating cast of actors in performing unedited excerpts from the hilariously candid memoirs of various celebrities. Tickets for the show are available until 6 September, giving audiences ample opportunity to witness Thompson’s debut on Broadway.

As he steps into this new phase of his illustrious career, Thompson’s reflections on his time with SNL serve as a testament to his enduring legacy in comedy. With two decades of memorable performances under his belt, he is now ready to tackle the new adventures that Broadway has to offer.