Kenan Thompson Explains Why He Hasn’t Left ‘SNL’ Yet

Kenan Thompson holds the record for longest-running “Saturday Night Live” cast member, and currently has no plans to leave. On the latest episode of “Good Hang with Amy Poehler,” he explained exactly why to his former co-star. Poehler and Thompson starred on “SNL” together beginning in 2003, when Thompson joined the show, until 2008, when Poehler left it. During his appearance on the podcast, they reflected on working together, and their mutual love for working with Maya Rudolph. “Man, what a cool thing to kind of like be in, close to, kind of thing. I love it,” he said. “So, the same with, you know, even up to the current cast and like everyone in between. And I just love our family so much that I like being close to it.” That love is precisely why he sticks around, Thompson further explained. He seemingly has no desire to detach himself from them. “I’m not afraid of how it will be when I leave,” he said. “It’s just, I would much rather just stay, you know? Why not? Who’s writing this rule book?” Thompson is currently gearing up for what will be his 24th season on the NBC sketch comedy, though he couched that stat by saying he’s “possibly” returning. Poehler promptly scoffed at that, assuring him it’s happening, and agreed that there’s no set amount of time an “SNL” cast member should stick around. You can watch Kenan Thompson’s full appearance on “Good Hang with Amy Poehler” in the video above.