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TMZ, USA Today

Will He Stay or Will He Go? Conflicting Reports on Whether an ‘SNL’ Mainstay Is Leaving the Show

Sep 23, 2014  •  Post A Comment

Conflicting reports circulated today on whether “Saturday Night Live’s” most veteran performer is on his way out the door. TMZ.com reported that Kenan Thompson will leave the show after this season, while USA Today countered with the headline “Kenan Thompson is NOT leaving ‘Saturday Night Live.'”

Other outlets carried similarly conflicting reports.

Calling Thompson the show’s “most seasoned performer,” TMZ reports: “Sources connected to ‘SNL’ tell us … Thompson — the most tenured African-American cast member in the show’s history — planned to leave last season, but decided to stay after head honcho Lorne Michaels asked him to stay on … citing the show’s massive turnover this season.”

TMZ adds that Thompson, who started at “SNL” in 2003, “has no hard feelings and is leaving on great terms.”

But NBC responded with a statement provided to USA Today, saying: “This report is inaccurate, as this season hasn’t even started yet and cast decisions aren’t made until the end of the season.”

TMZ cites sources saying Thompson is in talks for a new show and plans to relocate to Los Angeles at the end of the season.

Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson

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