Keenan Thompson on 'SNL' Legacy, 'Good Burger 2' and 13th Annual 'Young Stars 360' Talent Search

Comedian and SNL cast member Kenan Thompson joined Cheddar News to talk about his 13th annual 'Young Stars 360' national talent search. The roadshow, in partnership with Hard Rock International, will hit 12 cities giving auditioning hopefuls a chance to showcase their talent in various fields. He also talked to Cheddar News about reuniting with Kel Mitchel for <i>Good Burger 2.</i>

Kenan Thompson. You are on a tour right now called Young Stars 3 60 automation to really find young talent, emerging talent and jump start their careers. Obviously, you were a young child star who we all loved and admired, watch it on television. But what made you wanna step back out and reach out to these kids and find new stars? Uh I mean, I guess I have to clarify, like I'm not personally on the tour, we are doing, you know, kind of a talent search thing um with the hard rocks, uh, you know, around the nation, which is very exciting. Um My business partner, Sheri is the one that's really, you know, showing up to all these events and she's the one that has a, a really keen eye for talent. You know, we've been doing this for several years now. I think this might be like year 13 or something like that. Um And we've discovered, you know, in the adult space and in the kids space, some really, really talented people and we just wanna continue to do that and kind of, you know, for the kids' sake, you know, widen the net. A little bit. Um and, you know, include singing and dancing and, you know, other forms of comedy or, you know, acting or whatever and, you know, just kind of support the next generation that wants to get into the biz K is like, I have 15 jobs. I don't have time to be on the road on tour. We get that. But what, what are some of the things you guys are looking for in this talent? I, you know, I think, I think, um, you know, real talent is pretty readily apparent. So, you know, if your, your child can sing or if she can dance or, you know, if they can, you know, uh tell really, really good jokes and command the stage or if they're a great actor, I, I think you can just see what they're good at, you know, pretty clearly. Um And yeah, I think that's just what we're, we wanna bring forward. Um, and, and send them into, you know, a positive direction in their careers as far as getting connected to people that can help them, you know, take the next steps or whatever and sometimes people just need advice and, you know, mentorship. So what advice would you give to some of those kids or even parents who want to follow in your footsteps? Um, I mean, you know, keep the support system alive, you know, be honest with yourselves and, you know, it's a, it's a tough road. It's a long road. But, you know, so is anything that's worth it. So, um, if, if you believe in, you know, your child's abilities and your child believes in it and, and wants it and you don't have to force it, stuff like that, you know, see where it goes. Yeah. Well, speaking of a long road, I mean, you are an S N L legend. We see the shirt there representing the longest serving cast member in the show's history. What's it been like to be on such a popular show for such a long period of time? It's crazy. Um There, there's been so many different, you know, levels of emotion, like first the shock of even getting the job and then, you know, kind of the daily shock of doing the job and then 20 years later, it's like, it, it just doesn't change because we do comedy and we do live comedy so we have to earn it each time. So I think that's kind of how the time just flew by for me. And then all of a sudden, you know, we pick our heads up and, you know, I'm, I'm 20 years deep in the most iconic show on television. It's, it's just crazy. And now you have a bunch of new uh cast members, a big group this year. What's it been like bringing in the new group? Oh, it's been great. You know, it, it's, it's really nice when they can come in as a group like that because, you know, they have three other people to lean on that are having kind of a similar experience, you know, it's tough when it's, uh, an individual or, you know, by twos and stuff like that. So it's been really nice and they all have come in, you know, very prepared to do the show. And I think they've all had a wonderful season and, um, I'm, I'm very proud of each and every one of them because it is not the easiest place, but it is a fun place to be. And actually you reunited with your buddy Kel Mitchell on the show for a sketch for Saturday Night Live. And the two of you just announced a sequel to Good Burger. My kids still love Good Burger by the way and they're 10, 12 and seven right now. So talk to us about 25 years later. What can we expect from this new Good Burger? I mean, more, more laughs, you know, um more fun. I think that's what people love about that original movie was. How much fun it looked like we were having. So I think that, you know, kind of comes off the screen and, you know, allows for everybody to participate in that joy. I'm just looking for, you know, lots of bright colors and you know, that silly Ed character running around it. It's, do you think the storyline would maybe focus on the characters Ed Dexter or like them as a parent or are we talking about them growing up now and following their life? Um Kind of, yeah, just, you know, continuing the, the journey as if, yeah, 25 years have passed, you know, so like the inevitability of becoming adults and, you know, maybe becoming parents and stuff like that. I'm, I'm sure we'll be exploring all of that, but, you know, we also need a villain, I'm sure. So we'll figure out what Palmer Come on as a villain. I know she was like, she, she's blowing up a new mama. She is. Yeah, she brought that about this season. So that was great. It was such a great moment. Thanks to her.