Kenan Thompson Finds The Next Best Kid Comedian! Plus: His New Project With Chrissy Teigen – DivaGals EXCLUSIVE!

By Delaina Dixon | April 15, 2019 | Entertainment

Kenan Thompson has been working in comedy since he was a kid on shows like All That and Kenan and Kel. So it’s no surprise that Saturday Night Live‘s longest-running cast member has launched a comedy showcase for kids and adults.

Kenan hosted Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Showcase finale in — where else? — New York City last night to crown winners in both categories. The DivaGals got a chance to chat with Kenan, who created the showcase with his business partner, Cherie Chiles-Buchanan, the showcase’s founder and executive producer, and legendary TV producer Adrienne Lopez.

“The kids’ showcase is the most important one. They are the future and it’s really inspiring to see how many of them want to do it,” Kenan shared with us inside Caroline’s On Broadway, where the finale showcase took place.

“We have about 16 kids up there and they all have material, they all have perspectives and they all have their own little style. That let me know we’re just not wasting our time doing a talent show.” Kenan wisely pointed out that there is, “no comedy clubs for kids. It just shows us there needs to be an outlet for kid comedians.”

As for the adult performers, winning trip backstage at SNL is more than just a visit. “I have a lot of people come into my dressing room in SNL and hang out,” Kenan shared. “What if you could discover talent there and give people an experience at the same time? That’s the endgame. It’s more than just a handshake, it’s about furthering people’s professional life.”

Kenan is also giving comedians the chance of a lifetime, alongside Chrissy Teigen and Jeff Foxworthy, as judges on Bring the Funny, a new NBC competition series that aims to find the next great comedic act. “It’s every category of comedy, improv, sketch, and the winner gets $250,000,” Kenan said. We’ll be watching!

photo credit: Amanne Media