Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell Reunite For Dark “Kenan & Kel” Reboot Sketch on “SNL”

Does the world need a dark and gritty “Kenan & Kel” reboot? Absolutely not. But the world did need a Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell reunion on “Saturday Night Live,” and that’s exactly what it got on the Dec. 3 episode hosted by Keke Palmer. In a brilliantly nostalgic sketch dubbed “Kenan & Kelly,” Palmer pitches Thompson on a reboot of his beloved Nickelodeon series, and once he agrees, things get weird fast.

It’s quickly revealed that Palmer is “gunning for an Emmy,” so she decides to add some drama to the show’s typical hijinks. This includes a shock reveal that Kenan is the father of Kelly’s baby (followed by a second twist that Kel is the real father), a dramatic monologue about Kelly’s father calling her an idiot, and Kel getting murdered in a robbery attempt. As Thompson deadpans at the end of the sketch, “The show is not good, but Jordan Peele called us. He wants to do a sequel to ‘Nope.'”

After the episode aired, Mitchell shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the skit alongside a message of thanks to his costars, Thompson and Palmer, on Instagram. “That was awesome! Such a fun blessed night! Thank you @nbcsnl for letting me come rock with you all!” Mitchell captioned his post. “Amazing cast and crew! Epic night with my bro @kenanthompson and Yo!! @keke you did such an amazing job as host!! You rock Sis!!! Super talented! Check out a few of these behind the scenes pics from set. God I’m so grateful! 🙏🏾💯 Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].”

Thompson commented on the post to praise both Mitchell and Palmer. “Incredible night!! Great job bro!!! Give it up for my bro @iamkelmitchell y’all!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 And @keke is such a blessing to us all!!! Huge round o sound for @keke!!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Palmer shared a message to Thompson and Mitchell on her Instagram Story. “Highlight of my life,” she wrote about the sketch. “You guys have been so influential, in so many ways and especially in comedy. So much of it what I think is good or funny or want to BE is because of you BOTH! Kenan and Kel being from Illinois only made it more real for me as fellow Illinois-er haha. And the fact that Kel’s birthday is just a day before makes me feel like it was just meant to be. But seriously. So grateful to be apart of this reunion.”

Thompson and Mitchell’s “SNL” reunion is their second reunion this year. They previously teamed up for a bit in September while the “SNL” star was hosting the Emmys. Additionally, both stars have teased that a “Good Burger” sequel is on the way. That means there should be plenty more “Kenan & Kel” content in the future – just minus the dark and gritty part.

Related: Kel Mitchell Says Nickelodeon Fans Will Be “Screaming” Over the “Good Burger 2” Cast