Molly Shannon backs Kenan Thompson to take over from ‘genius’ Lorne Michaels as ‘SNL’ showrunner

Actor Molly Shannon has backed the idea of Kenan Thompson taking over from longtime “Saturday Night Live” showrunner Lorne Michaels, despite calling Michaels “irreplaceable.”

Asked what she thought about Thompson potentially taking the reins at the NBC show in an interview with People, Shannon, who was a cast member between 1995 and 2001, said it was “an excellent idea.”

“I love this idea. He’s the greatest — I adore Kenan,” she said, adding that he was “so talented.”

Thompson joined “SNL” in 2003 and is the longest-tenured cast member in its history, notching his 22nd season this year.

Rumors of Michaels’ retirement grew as “SNL” neared its 50th anniversary earlier this year, fueling speculation over who could take over as showrunner.

For Shannon, it seems the show will never be the same, no matter who comes in.

“There’s no one who could replace him. It would not be the same show,” Shannon told People of Michaels, who created the sketch comedy show in 1975. “He’s just a one-of-a-kind genius. Brilliant. Smart.”

“It’s his show, his vision,” she added.

In September 2024, Michaels, 80, addressed speculation over his future, telling The Hollywood Reporter he had no “immediate” plans to retire.

“I just know that this is kind of what I do and as long as I can keep doing it, I’ll keep doing it,” he said at the time.

Earlier this year, Thompson hinted that fans of “SNL” could see a major shakeup when the show returns following the wrap of its 50th season.

“Especially this year where it feels like there’s maybe, possibly, a lot of change next year,” he told Page Six. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people may be making decisions this summer.”

He added that he had yet to sign a new contract for the coming season but expressed interest in returning.

“You just never know what the future holds,” he said. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else.”

“I don’t want to be the stale old man riding the same old thing. That doesn’t really happen that much at ‘SNL’ but there’s no guarantees,” he added.

Representatives for “SNL” and Thompson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

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