NBC orders Kenan Thompson's The Kenan Show to series -- will he be able to stay on SNL?

The Hollywood Reporter

NBC handed Thompson a 41st birthday present today by picking up his family comedy pilot. Thompson is reteaming with SNL boss Lorne Michaels on the single-camera comedy, in which he plays a recently widowed father, co-starring opposite Andy Garcia. Chris Rock also serves as executive producer. What does the pickup mean for Saturday Night Live's longest-serving cast member? "Insiders say Thompson — who is closing out his record 16th season on SNL — is expected to return to the sketch comedy next year, though it remains unclear in what capacity," reports The Hollywood Reporter's Lesley Goldberg. "Others note that The Kenan Show may have been picked up with a short-order for midseason, meaning he could film the series during SNL's hiatus. That would be similar to what fellow SNL star Aidy Bryant did with her Hulu comedy, Shrill." ALSO: An NBC executive tells USA Today Thompson will indeed return to SNL next season.