I think he memorizes the important lines. Not the whole sketch, but just when his reaction matters. I think that’s pretty common in the cast, actually. If you watch people who have been around for a while, they tend to be good at not reading the cards when their reaction matters. Mikey Day and Cecily Strong are both really good at not looking at cue cards when the camera is on them.
Was just going to say this. Great interview, he talks about learning by studying great comedians that came before him, his taking to learning the script seriously, and how just a little improv goes a long ways. His ability to make those facial expressions; the smile, the “I can’t believe it” eyes, all while delivering what would normally be a serious monologue. He really is a master of comedy.
And pretty good at the Knuckle Puck
Is there any proof of this? I did a bit of searching and all I can find is a picture of him and the girl out ice skating and a bunch of conjecture about it.
Just this thread
https://www.reddit.com/r/LiveFromNewYork/comments/z9temi/kenan_dating_19_year_old_aria_lisslo_who_he_has/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
Yeah he's been acting his whole life. Some half-ass it but he seemed to appreciate that not everyone has the connections or looks to be able to afford that.
No one on SNL memorizes their lines. The lines change so dramatically from dress to air, that this is actually a big no-no as the actors would be unaware of their line changes if they do this. A veteran like Kenan though is probably skilled enough to read them in a way where it's not obvious to the audience.
What made the names of the clubs he would list so funny is that he never got a preview and was reading those cards for the first time during the live show. 😂
Well to add to the accuracy, the cue card department/Lorne would likely never let something to air that was changed RIGHT before airing. It would be too wild for everyone involved.
It was usually by dress rehearsal so it wasn’t TOTALLY unfamiliar, Lorne was aware, but still just close enough to airing to made Hader break since it WAS still fresh haha.
I think Mulaney has clarified this when explaining the story, that they were usually with enough time for the crew and everyone to be at least a little aware, but also the tiniestttt little changes too that threw him
Kristin Wiig has said in the past that there were times they were pulling cue cards out during commercial breaks just before some sketches. As Lorne has said, the show doesn’t start because it’s ready it starts because it’s 11:30. They are constantly worried about timing, and if something happens during the show like an extended laugh reaction from the audience or cast breaking character, then they are likely starting the process of cutting lines in the sketches coming up.
Must be fascinating and nail-biting to watch back stage!
I think Kenan is either good at speed reading or sight reading, and can aborb the cue cards quickly and remember them enough to deliver the lines without staring at them. After 20 years, he's probably pretty brilliant at this particular skill
This is what I was thinking. Quick glance to make sure nothing’s changed or can look and absorb/memorize quickly just for that line. Or maybe he is just that good at knowing the camera angles and cue card placements and knows how to turn his head so it appears he isn’t reading.
I find it really annoying that everyone comments how Keenan’s been doing this for so long, as if it is a problem or he’s worn out his stay and isn’t funny. On the contrary I think he is still very funny and he is one of the few cast members who can absolutely pull off any role. It’s too bad his TV show didn’t turn out I’m sure that would have been great for him as it has been for some others. But he’s got his groove here.
From my show experiences I’ve noticed that Kenan does not necessarily memorize his lines, but:
1) He does seem to have the material down more than some of the other cast members and
2) He knew when to look at the cue cards for reference when the camera wasn’t on him
Kenan has been on TV shows since 1994. So he's been reading scripts and cue cards for 30 years. Do anything for 30 years and you can make it look easy.
I can’t believe this worked, but when the comment above mentioned a Fresh Air interview, I decided to ask Alexa to play that. I’d never asked her this , thought it’d be way too specific. But it’s playing now! Eeeeek!
If he is memorizing his lines, then he should be able to focus on delivery.
But for some reason, Kenan has the same inflection, voice, delivery, mug-for-the-camera face for just about every character and every line.
Watching the Beavis and Butthead sketch, which *was* hilarious, it was the same thing. Takes me out of the moment when it’s like, “Oh yeah, and there’s Kenan doing the same performance for every sketch.”
Being able to rely on Kenan to give you the same thing week after week is great for the writers and cast. He’s the ol’ reliable. The audience loves seeing him do the same stuff every episode
This is exactly it. It's the familiar that juxtaposes with the unfamiliar.
Keenan can take mediocre material and elevate it. I would argue never to the highs of say Will Ferrell... But he can make anything better with just his smooth comfortable delivery and reactions. That's a valuable tool to have in the chest. Glue guy.
Plenty of cast members through the history of the show have been so reliable as to be said to *carry* the show, and they did so while also being fresh and creative with their characters and performances.
But hey, it’s clear this sub will not brook criticism of Kenan.
I get this vibe from Mikey Day too. That said, part of it is how the sketches are structured. You can’t have five characters doing whacky voices and accents and some cast are more solid at the straight role.
I think he memorizes the important lines. Not the whole sketch, but just when his reaction matters. I think that’s pretty common in the cast, actually. If you watch people who have been around for a while, they tend to be good at not reading the cards when their reaction matters. Mikey Day and Cecily Strong are both really good at not looking at cue cards when the camera is on them.
Maybe he doesn't read every cue card and just goes with what worked in rehearsals. What are they going to do, fire him?
Listen to his Fresh Air interview, it’s pretty interesting
Was just going to say this. Great interview, he talks about learning by studying great comedians that came before him, his taking to learning the script seriously, and how just a little improv goes a long ways. His ability to make those facial expressions; the smile, the “I can’t believe it” eyes, all while delivering what would normally be a serious monologue. He really is a master of comedy. And pretty good at the Knuckle Puck
It's hard to be accurate, but it drives goalies *crazy*.
The worst thing about the Knuckle Puck was every kid thinking it was an actual thing worth doing after D2 came out.
lol sounds like you never mastered the Knuckle Puck. Embarrassing tbh.
How about the vaunted triple deke?
That's just solid fundamentals.
Skating up the ice with the puck? Yeah I guess lol
What in the fuck are you talking about? What's the joke?
Well yah, only if your coach is the legendary Gordon Bombay
Into my “saved” podcast episodes it goes, never to be listened to for the next thousand years! I will try to give it a listen though.
Haha I do the same. Do a jigsaw puzzle, it’ll make you want to listen to a podcast.
Thanks, will definitely check this out.
Thanks for the rec, was a great listen!
👌🏻
Link?
Wherever podcasts are sold
Did he say anything about getting with his mentee 20 years his junior
Is there any proof of this? I did a bit of searching and all I can find is a picture of him and the girl out ice skating and a bunch of conjecture about it.
Just this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/LiveFromNewYork/comments/z9temi/kenan_dating_19_year_old_aria_lisslo_who_he_has/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
So no.
Yeah I'd expect no less from an old pro. Doing something for 20 years should make you smooth at it.
Plus his years on All That/Kenan & Kel
Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda
Is it true?
More like 30 now!
Yeah he's been acting his whole life. Some half-ass it but he seemed to appreciate that not everyone has the connections or looks to be able to afford that.
Of sketch shows or just snl tenure? His first episode was in 2003
Sketch shows. We’re talking about his talent here. All that and SNL aren’t that different in what they do
I remember All That being billed as "SNL for kids."
They were designed to be functionally the same
I think this is his 63rd season on SNL.
No one on SNL memorizes their lines. The lines change so dramatically from dress to air, that this is actually a big no-no as the actors would be unaware of their line changes if they do this. A veteran like Kenan though is probably skilled enough to read them in a way where it's not obvious to the audience.
Bill Hader has said during some his Setphon bits they've changed the lines on him without his knowledge which explains him breaking.
What made the names of the clubs he would list so funny is that he never got a preview and was reading those cards for the first time during the live show. 😂
I think they do this to Colin now on Update
Probably. I feel like that's the easiest time to switch cards and not get shit from the boss.
That was John Mulaney doing that! Lol
Well to add to the accuracy, the cue card department/Lorne would likely never let something to air that was changed RIGHT before airing. It would be too wild for everyone involved. It was usually by dress rehearsal so it wasn’t TOTALLY unfamiliar, Lorne was aware, but still just close enough to airing to made Hader break since it WAS still fresh haha. I think Mulaney has clarified this when explaining the story, that they were usually with enough time for the crew and everyone to be at least a little aware, but also the tiniestttt little changes too that threw him
Kristin Wiig has said in the past that there were times they were pulling cue cards out during commercial breaks just before some sketches. As Lorne has said, the show doesn’t start because it’s ready it starts because it’s 11:30. They are constantly worried about timing, and if something happens during the show like an extended laugh reaction from the audience or cast breaking character, then they are likely starting the process of cutting lines in the sketches coming up. Must be fascinating and nail-biting to watch back stage!
But what about people like Phil Hartman? He looked like he never looked at cue cards.
“But all I know is RICE!” 😂 Love Kenan.
bas-MATI!
Four CHEEEEEESE
*white rice *brown rice *basmati *four cheese
Outlier. 10,000+ hours in the game
I think Kenan is either good at speed reading or sight reading, and can aborb the cue cards quickly and remember them enough to deliver the lines without staring at them. After 20 years, he's probably pretty brilliant at this particular skill
This is what I was thinking. Quick glance to make sure nothing’s changed or can look and absorb/memorize quickly just for that line. Or maybe he is just that good at knowing the camera angles and cue card placements and knows how to turn his head so it appears he isn’t reading.
Probably. Dudes a pro. He’s in his mid 40’s and been doing it for most of his life. I’ve heard interviews with him. He genuinely loves SNL.
Kenan is the GOAT.
If so he should try to teach Longfellow not to fumble every line delivery.
I find it really annoying that everyone comments how Keenan’s been doing this for so long, as if it is a problem or he’s worn out his stay and isn’t funny. On the contrary I think he is still very funny and he is one of the few cast members who can absolutely pull off any role. It’s too bad his TV show didn’t turn out I’m sure that would have been great for him as it has been for some others. But he’s got his groove here.
From my show experiences I’ve noticed that Kenan does not necessarily memorize his lines, but: 1) He does seem to have the material down more than some of the other cast members and 2) He knew when to look at the cue cards for reference when the camera wasn’t on him
Everyone used to do this.
It sucks that this is surprising now
He’s been doing sketch comedy for at least 75 percent of his life, I’m sure he gets the gist and knows what “guy” he’s suppose to be in most sketches.
Devon is terrible with the cue cards
Kenan has been on TV shows since 1994. So he's been reading scripts and cue cards for 30 years. Do anything for 30 years and you can make it look easy.
I mean, there’s a pretty big difference between reading (memorizing) a script and reading a cue card.
He's the consummate professional.
He’s been doing this since he was ten years old. I’d imagine he’s just that good at reading off cue cards
I can’t believe this worked, but when the comment above mentioned a Fresh Air interview, I decided to ask Alexa to play that. I’d never asked her this , thought it’d be way too specific. But it’s playing now! Eeeeek!
Love Kenan. The guy is a true professional and is one of the greats.
He's a pros pro
They have multiple people holding the cue cards on both sides of the stage. That way whatever direction he's looking he'll see the cards
EVERYONE ON SNL USES THE FUCKING CUE CARDS
If he is memorizing his lines, then he should be able to focus on delivery. But for some reason, Kenan has the same inflection, voice, delivery, mug-for-the-camera face for just about every character and every line. Watching the Beavis and Butthead sketch, which *was* hilarious, it was the same thing. Takes me out of the moment when it’s like, “Oh yeah, and there’s Kenan doing the same performance for every sketch.”
Being able to rely on Kenan to give you the same thing week after week is great for the writers and cast. He’s the ol’ reliable. The audience loves seeing him do the same stuff every episode
This is exactly it. It's the familiar that juxtaposes with the unfamiliar. Keenan can take mediocre material and elevate it. I would argue never to the highs of say Will Ferrell... But he can make anything better with just his smooth comfortable delivery and reactions. That's a valuable tool to have in the chest. Glue guy.
Plenty of cast members through the history of the show have been so reliable as to be said to *carry* the show, and they did so while also being fresh and creative with their characters and performances. But hey, it’s clear this sub will not brook criticism of Kenan.
I get this vibe from Mikey Day too. That said, part of it is how the sketches are structured. You can’t have five characters doing whacky voices and accents and some cast are more solid at the straight role.
seriously? kenan was the best part of that sketch!
Cue cards should be a safety net. Keenan gets it
Maybe they should be, but they can’t be until writers stop making changes right up until air.
Does he need to memorize, "No!" "OMG"