
Finding the funny. Kenan Thompson teased his high energy plans for hosting the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards — and he doesn’t plan to ask his fellow Saturday Night LiveCostars for a hand
“I have not been in touch with [previous hosts Michael Che and Colin Jost], necessarily,” the Kenan and KelThe 44-year-old alum told the Los Angeles TimesInterview published Tuesday, September 6. “I’m going to be pretty straightforward — a good monologue and keeping the energy up will be my approach. I enjoy honoring artistry and creativity.”
Thompson added that he feels “great” about hosting the show on Monday, September 12.
“There’s a great team that’s involved. I definitely don’t feel like I’m floating out there by myself. I’m really excited about it. There’s some great pieces coming together,” he continued. “For me, [the biggest challenge is] waiting. Waiting for the day, waiting for the moment, waiting for the first laugh. Getting involved and completing the task. Everything else are things I’ve been doing all my life — rehearsals, writing.”
Thompson teased that Thompson had reached for him earlier in the day. LizzoHe invited you to join him on stage during his show. “It’s coming together, kind of,” he confessed during an appearance on Today, describing the evening’s musical number as “an eclectic mix of tunes.”
He continued: “I think you’ve got to have some music. It’s the Academy. You need something grandiose.”
Thompson is not only hosting the Emmy Awards show for the first time, but he is no stranger to the Emmys. The comedian has received six nominations over the course of his year. He also received three Outstanding Supporting Actors in a Comedy Series nods. SNLHe was nominated for an Outstanding Lead Actor Award in a Comedy Series for his sitcom.
As he prepares for his 20th season SNL, Mighty DucksActor explained that he does not intend to leave the variety show. “My mentality [is], ‘It’s just nice to be asked back,’” he told TodayHosting Hoda KotbAnd Savannah Guthrie. “That’s been this ongoing thing, like, ‘Who am I to deny them when they call?’ It’s such an institution. But it’s my home and it’s nice to have stability in life.”
Thompson shared these comments with The L.A. Times. “I keep joking that they will have to throw me out of there one of these days,” he explained. “I’ve never been in a situation where I’m invited back an exuberant amount of times. There’s really no negatives, other than it’s highly stressful and emotional. It’s better than being out of town.”
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