Kenan Thompson, an actor and comedian most popularly known for his role on Kenan & Kell and for being the longest-running Saturday Night Live cast member, returns to cable television in a new light as he produces and stars in his new hit-show Kenan, which premiered on Tuesday, February 16 on NBC as part of the network’s new comedy block.
The show opens with Thompson waking up to an early alarm while his two daughters lay asleep next to him. He quietly goes off to get his day started while also preparing his daughters’ outfits and lunches, sweetly kissing them on the heads before trying to sneak out and go to work. The opening scene is a gentle and sweet reminder that Thompson is a family man who puts his love of his daughters first.
On the show, Thompson plays the titular role of Kenan Williams, a recently widowed father of two daughters. Not only is he a full-time single parent, but he also hosts a sunny morning show called “Wake Up with Kenan”. The show follows Kenan as he tries to navigate his new reality as a widowed father while also trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
I won’t say any more about the pilot episode, as to not reveal any spoilers for those who haven’t seen it yet (make sure to check it out!), but I will say that Kenan does a fantastic job at portraying the highs and lows of experiencing loss within a family.
What really cinched the deal for me in terms of loving this new show was its ability to mix in just the right amount of adult humor while still keeping the show family friendly enough for younger viewers to also enjoy it. One of the key moments that did it for me was when Thompson introduced the tagline to his morning show, “Wake Up With Kenan” with “I don’t care who you sleep with as long as you ‘Wake Up With Kenan’!”. Thompson’s comedic genius is able to shine through without taking away from the familiar aspects of the show and its premise.
I also really enjoyed watching the co-stars interact, and they seem to mesh well with Thompson’s energy. Don Johnson plays Kenan’s father-in-law, who’s trying to play a more active role in helping raise his grandchildren, and fellow SNL castmate Chris Redd plays Kenan’s eccentric brother Gary, who also doubles as Kenan’s manager and business advisor. The trio of men have great chemistry, and each brings their own unique perspective on family, love, and getting through each day the best you can.
Thompson starring in a sitcom seems like it’s been a long time coming. After watching Thompson hone his craft on shows like SNL, All That, and Kenan & Kel, it was hard to imagine Thompson starring in something as scripted as a family show. However, Thompson has risen to the occasion and has shown a new and relatable side of himself that I think we can all enjoy.
Make sure to watch Kenan on NBC on Tuesday nights at 8:30 PM!
