Resolution criteria

This market resolves YES if Kenan Thompson departs Saturday Night Live at any point during 2026 (January 1 - December 31, 2026). Resolution will be determined by official announcements from NBC, SNL, or Kenan Thompson himself. This market resolves NO if Thompson remains a cast member through the end of 2026.

Background

Kenan Thompson has been a cast member on SNL since 2003, making him the longest-tenured cast member in the show's history. He is entering his 23rd season as a cast member as of Season 51 (2025-26). Thompson has starred on Saturday Night Live for 22 seasons and he doesn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. When asked about his future, Thompson stated "It would be cool if I never left the show" and added "I feel like we'll both just ride until the wheels fall off" regarding himself and creator Lorne Michaels.

Considerations

Although early on he planned to stay on the show until something else came along, by 2019 he noted that SNL was his "forever plan". Thompson has repeatedly expressed commitment to the show in recent interviews, with no public indication of plans to leave in 2026.