Kenan Thompson Shares Why He Couldn’t Say No to Hosting the Emmys — Plus, Seth Meyers Offers Some Advice (EXCLUSIVE)
12.08.2022 - 21:55
/ variety.com
Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large“They asked, and it’s an honor,” Thompson told me Thursday on a sweltering August afternoon in Hollywood, where he was receiving his star on the Walk of Fame. “It’s a giant career milestone to host an Emmys, an Oscars, a Tonys, whatever.
So you get that phone call, you should take it!” His NBC colleague Seth Meyers, who hosted in 2014, had no interest in doing it again (nor did Jimmy Fallon, who hosted in 2010). “SNL Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che did it in 2018, so they’re already covered.
Now, it would only make sense that NBC would go to the “SNL” GOAT, Thompson, to take the reins this time around.“Everyone’s got to do it once, and it’s his turn, he’s earned it,” Meyers says. “The good news is Kenan, like I was, is lucky enough to be connected to a talented group of writers.
The ‘SNL’ writing staff I’m sure it’s going to show up for Kenan because he has been showing up for them and their sketches, getting laughs on looks and line reads for two decades.”If Meyers has any advice for Thompson, it’s that “especially after the last two years, people just want to have a good time at the Emmys and not feel like it’s being taken too seriously. I think the Oscars you can get a little serious, but with the Emmys, it’s better just to be fun.
That’s the opportunity you have with that show.”Meyers will be in the audience, this year as a nominee in the variety talk category — a first for “Late Night With Seth Meyers.” “It’ll be a new experience to actually be a nominee, as opposed to a presenter,” he chuckles. “That alone will be worth it.”Thompson says he’s already been meeting with NBC and Emmy producers Done+Dusted and Reggie Hudlin to start mapping out the show.
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