I mean, we DID grow up together, after all. ET on NBC. ", Real Life Was a Lot like a "Kenan & Kel" Episode. It was unbelievable, says Thompson. From a zombie drowning unsuspecting swimmers to an evil basement-dwelling entity that eats kids, we're sure that Are You Afraid Of The Dark? Hit Backspace for a regular dose of pop culture nostalgia. Donald Faison, Judy Reyes, Neil Flynn, Sarah Chalke, Zach Braff and Ken Jenkinsattend the Heineken Green Room during Vulture Festival presented by AT&T at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Mitchell and Thompson starred in the movie "Good Burger," which was based on an "All That" sketch. Kenan Thompson made an unexpected appearance at 90s Con during theAll Thatreunion panel on Saturday, March 18. He couldn't think of anyone. Kel Mitchell and In his latest show, "Game Shakers," Mitchell plays Double G, a rap superstar who owns a gaming app company with two girls who code. SMG! At just 16 years old, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell became the first Black actors to star in their own sitcom on Nickelodeon. This was thanks to Kim Bass, the creator of the show, who had already put another Black duo on primetime TV when he created Sister, Sister for ABC, the family sitcom starring twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry. If people want it then they should have it., Mitchell and Thompson grew up not in a classroom, but on theme park rides between takes at Universal Studios and on the set of a music video with Coolio. Heres how it works. In 2015, Kenan and Kel reunited to co-star in a "Good Burger" sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Kenan & Kel showrunner Dan Schneider portrayed Dennis Blunden on the ABC series Head of the Class (1986-1990) after he played Ricky in Better Off Dead (1985). Nicholas Brendon wrote on Instagram. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Kel Mitchell appears with his "All That" cast members, while in costume on set. From Kenan Thompson to Clarissa Darling and everyone in between, here are 10 of the most nostalgic Nickelodeon series to air during the 1990s. Shannen Doherty,Jason Priestley,Christine Elise, Brian Austin Green,Ian Ziering andGabrielle Carteris hang out on the set of the 2019 reboot,BH90210. I was in a good class of guys who went for SNL and didn't get it." "Filming these new ads with Kel brought back warm memories of going to the movies together and riffing on memorable scenes from our favorite flicks," Thompson said. Kenan, who hosted the ceremony, performed in a short sketchin which Kel was revealed to be a guest atone of the event'sbars, withKumail Nanjianias thebartender. The sitcom saw two of its stars, SNLs Kenan Thompson and Game Changers Kel Mitchell, jumping ship from their TV show roots. Following four seasons, 62 episodes, one TV movie, and probably hundreds of bottles of orange soda, Kenan & Kel was over. By Blaise Santi / April 30, 2023 1:15 pm EST. Kenan & Kel was the classic Nickelodeon sitcom that ran from 1996 to 2000 and featured Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell as two bumbling best friends. I mean leaving Nickelodeon was definitely an adjustment, shares Thompson. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. But the loss of contact became a stable source of tabloid fodder, one that Mitchell did his part to occasionally drum up. Now thatGood Burger 2has officially been greenlit by Nickelodeon and Paramount+, Thompson and Mitchell couldnt help but spill filming secrets at 90s Con. Adhering to a more traditional sitcom format from which Disney would heavily borrow for its original programming, Clarissa Explains It All focused on the formative years of the titular midwestern teen. A duo perhaps most famously known for their roles in Nickelodeon's 1997 comedy special Good Burger, Kenan & Kel was a late-90s sitcom that featured actors from the network's Saturday Night Live approximation, All That. "He went through, I wanna say, four or five more auditions before he actually got in," he said, adding,"And I love Kenan. Were gonna shoot it this summer and it will be out soon., In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies. Kel Mitchell reveals the story behind his character's love for orange soda. HEY! Focusing on the misadventures of the titular duo, Keenen & Kel broke ground in that it was one of Nick's first series to feature a predominantly African American cast. I was in my backyard, Thompson told HuffPost earlier this year. 90s Stars: Then and Now, waxed nostalgic on their Nickelodeon heydays. They became one of comedys most famous duos, first on Nickelodeons sketch show All That and then with their own show, Kenan & Kel. And 20 years ago on Tuesday, they released the 1997 film Good Burger, a cult classic that remains close to the hearts of millions of millennials. Like, it was like Me and My Friend,' Me and My Homeboy,' you know it was like crazy names," Mitchell revealed. My eyes!". This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google, Giving a great deal of credence to the term time flies, today marks the 20th anniversary of the 90s sitcom. Thats how you are when youre young, Oh yeah, Coolios my best friend.. Clarissa Explains It All was another of Nickelodeon's earliest live-action comedy series. Kel Mitchell and his "All That" cast mates pose for a photo. But soon enough, he realized it was just like comfortable shoes.. 10 Of The Scariest Episodes Of Are You Afraid Of The Dark? The whole apartment was just with bubbles," Mitchell said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The one where EW follows up with the cast. Kel Mitchell appears in a cast photo with his co-stars from the Nickelodeon show "All That.". Because then it was back to the real world of, Now Im an adult looking for a job, as opposed to a kid thats getting introduced to all these people like, Look how cute this little kid is, dont you want to put him on your show?, Mitchell doesnt think it was strange for him and Thompson to be doing their own work individually, but it was for audiences. The show was set in Chicago, Illinois, and centered on the antics of two mischievous teenagers, Kenan Rockmore (Thompson) and Kel Kimble (Mitchell). "The show is not good," Kenan deadpans in a confessional, before adding jokingly, "ButJordan Peele called us. "Me and my wife, we can't even go to drive-thrus cause if I don't order orange soda it's an issue," he said. Perhaps the most beloved child-friendly television series of all time, SpongeBob SquarePants cemented Nickelodeon as the be-all-end-all of North American animation, and it's so well-regarded that it's still in production more than two decades after its 1999 debut. "And TLC, I remember them taking my little sister and running off, and they kind of basically kidnapped her and adopted her and made her a new member of TLC. For Nickelodeon it was Coolio, the rapper who had recently found success with the Grammy winning track, Gangstas Paradise., Shout out to Coolio, laughs Thompson. For years, Kenan & Kel fans had begged the two of them to reunite, as each struggled to find their voice independent of one another. What Does Bruce Campbell Think About A Crossover? Said 19-year-old Kenan. In 1993, Nickelodeon scoured the country looking for talented youngsters for their new sketch comedy show, All That. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? He was one of my best friends., On the phone, the two decided they wouldnt let themselves lose touch again. Mitchell said he did like to drink orange soda and still likes to, even today, but he prefers low calorie orange soda for his current healthier lifestyle. Once, when the rapper was asked if he had a preference between Kenan and Kel, he couldn't choose. ", The Actual Story Behind Kel Loving Orange Soda. Sure, former co-stars may not be all that close in some instances. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. He just wanted to catch up. But at some point during the 2000s, the pair fell out of touch. Don't miss a beat. On Sept. 23, 2015, a decade and a half after Kenan & Kel ended, they finally did, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon., They were scheduled to perform a Good Burger sketch. Once it started to gain a little more popularity, the show moved to California in order to feature bigger celebrities. CinemaBlend Contributor. In 2015, Kenan and Kel appeared on a Tonight Show sketch and as two friends in a Fandango ad. Taking its name from the coin-operated movie booths that rose to popularity in the early twentieth century, Nickelodeon started a revolution that would change the landscape of TV forever. New York, They were Dawn of the Dead fans!" Ed, Mitchell's character from the popular "All That" sketch and the "Good Burger" movie, was actually born in the audition, Mitchell said. "Kel, excuse my French, wouldn't have been sh*t without Kenan, and Kenan wouldn't have been sh*t without Kel. With Aw, Here It Goes, named after one of Kels many catchphrases, Coolio created a magnetic, catchy song that not only captured the essence of the show, but was the perfect combination of artist and material for the time. We both have very similar taste in comedy even though his is more physical and mine is a little more standing around-ish., Even 20 years later, both actors vividly remember the moment when their soon-to-be dynamic comedic relationship first began. and NBC are part of the NBCUniversal family.). While Mitchell genuinely did love orange soda, he says that nowadays he consumes more low-calorie drinks. Theyd ask him, Wheres Kel? and theyd ask me Wheres Kenan?. Kenan and Kel, both 44, starred together on Kenan & Kel for four years until the series ended in 2000. And theyre like, Oh, what are you going to drink? Kel also taught their adopted chimpanzee from the local zoo to do the same thing. In 2018,they competed against each other on arevival of the classicNickelodeon game showDouble Dare. But soon enough, he realized, New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images. So it's crazy, and it's stayed with me. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny reunited (with her dog Stella) in April 2021. Hee's the story, of the Stark familyGame of Thrones stars Kit Harington and Richard Madden came out to support Maisie Williams and her new play. I think it lives in a very special place in peoples hearts, so regardless of what either one of us have continued to do people always think back on those times and theyre like, Who loves orange soda, still to this day, says Thompson. Kel and I did Mavis and Clavis together where we were ad-libbing back and forth and sort of clicked and made each other laugh, Thompson remembers. "Happiness is spontaneously running into old pals from my That's So Raven days!!! And Mitchell seems to enjoying seeing his friend on the NBC sketch comedy series: I love Kenan, and I love watching him on there. That's how it came to be. Coming to your neighborhood TV in the fall. For other people I think it was when they saw us in other roles and guest-starring on other TV shows and stuff like that, he says. Just in time," she wrote. And in a time where audiences are obsessed with nostalgia and reunions, could we see more Kenan & Kel? Neither have ruled out a Kenan & Kel reboot or movie. This was a guy I saw every day, all day, Thompson said. To celebrate the show's 20th anniversary, here are some fun facts you might not have known about Kenan & Kel. TheWhat a Girl Wantsactress did not previously reveal why she would be absent from the convention. "I did a song about Michael Jackson if he was allergic to trees, hahahaha!" HamburgerHarley & Other Promotional Products. It was so bad, it was good, to me. Set in Chicago, the sitcom chronicled the misadventures of ambitious Kenan Rockmore and dimwitted Kel Kimble. "I guess I would have looked at you if I could have OPENED MY EYES," she commented. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the first black stars of a Nickelodeon primetime sitcom. Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs and Joel McHalecome together at the star-studded grand opening of Simone in the arts district of Los Angeles. You were having a conversation with two people, who were in a comedic rhythm. Things turn disastrous as the partygoers begin to eat everything off the shelves and trash the store just as Chris walks in. This is cool. WebMore from Deadline Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows. NY 10036. set itself apart from its counterparts by offering simple, lighthearted humor. ", "Kenan & Kel" Almost Had a Different Name. Rumors of a feud between Kenan and Kel surfaced in 2012 after TMZ reported Kel's claims that he and Kenan were no longer friends. Though it's sometimes lost in the shuffle of live-action series that were popular at the time, Kenan & Kel deserves credit for helping to solidify Nickelodeon's unique brand of child-friendly comedy. While many television programs that were geared towards younger viewers during the 1990s imbued their respective episodes with social issues pertinent to adolescence and young adulthood. Need A Website? If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Thompsons Kenan and Kel costar Kel Mitchell revealed during the session that his 44-year-old longtime pal would be joining the talk, alongside fellow All That That night on the phone, we were talking for, like, hours, Mitchell told me. For kids growing up in the 90s, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the pinnacle of comedy, whether it was All That, Good Burger, or their very own sitcom, It's destined to go down as the most popular and longest-lasting cartoon production in network history, and, when it comes to animated series, only series like FOX's The Simpsons could rival it in terms of longevity. "Any type of kid event or anything like that we really couldn't go to," said Mitchell. Chronicling her triumphs and hardships, the series offered a more realistic take on the modern American family, and its influence could be seen in ensuing series like Lizzy McGuire and Nickelodeon's own Unfabulous. Launching thecareers of multiple child actors and spawning a handful of beloved spin-off series, Nickelodeon simply wouldn't be what it is today without All That. Watch Kenan and Kel reunite on SNL below: Kenan and Kel, both 44, starred together on Kenan & Kelfor four years until the series ended in2000. Kel 'Sign this Ken!' "We all would hang out. You know what time it is! Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. Thompson said any concern faded in seconds. Often dealing with the issues and hurdles young children face when growing up, it was a series with which almost all younger audiences could relate. And when she heard my name, the woman actually said to me, Youre Kim Bass? WebNickelodeon's live action shows were an after-school ritual for '90s kids, and these were definitely the top ten greatest among them. Why have you been looking for me?, A few months later, Bass was on a plane to meet Thompson and Mitchell, where he immediately saw their incredible dynamic. He was my dog. , it was among many that catered to the young adult market during the 90s: Sister, Sister, Felicity, Boy Meets World, Teen Summit, Family Matters, Nick News and Roundhouse. Best FriendsDIP swag line in Los Angeles. "MURPHY BROWNtogether again. WebKenan and Kel try to buy a car, but encounter difficulties while trying. Kel Mitchell made a cameo on Saturday Night LiveDec. 3, marking his first time on the NBC series. It all happened pretty much the first day because that was when we were like, Oh, were the same dude.. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. To honor the milestone anniversary, Thompson and Mitchell caught up with EW, looking back on the first time they met, having a show named after them, and hanging with Coolio. I wish we could just pick up and do Kenan & Kel: The Grown-Up Years, getting everyone back working together. It was SO funny. He had gone through his own tribulations or whatever and he was on the other side of that finally., On the phone, the two decided they wouldnt let themselves lose touch again. Ezria lives on! Mitchell has since thrown "orange parties," where participants wore orange and drank orange soda with him, inspired in part by P. Diddy's "white parties," where everyone would wear white clothing. Your email address will not be published. since Mitchell showed up to Thompsons birthday party unannounced more than five years before. Rocket Power was a 1999 Nickelodeon series developed by Arlene Klasky and Gabor Csupo, the two minds behind another famous 90s Nick series, Rugrats. But to Thompson and Mitchell, they were first and foremost something else: two old friends. #memories #TheWonderYears". The work ethic he cultivated back in his teen years is probably why he's had such a long run on the NBC sketch show and has been able to reach major SNL milestones in the process. Courteney Cox guested on Busy Tonight for a little Cougar Town reunion, and Philipps took it even farther by doing a bit with the show's biggest fan and costars Christa Miller, Josh Hopkins, and Ian Gomez. Mitchell embarked on a stand-up career, while making occasional TV appearances, but last year he returned to Nickelodeon as one of the stars of Game Shakers. It was immediate, like I had seen him yesterday or something like that, Thompson said. The duo revealed the news during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Ed welcomes Dex back to Good Burger with open arms and gives him his old job back. Dan Frischman wasn't necessarily torn up about the location change. Now, when Mitchell visits New York, he loves to spend time with Thompson and his family. "With being on All That' you have so many musical guests that were on the show that were kids as well, like Brandy and Aaliyah -- rest in peace -- and you know they were all kids as well, so we had a lot of fun with them," Mitchell said. In the skit, the three act in and offer a behind-the-scenes commentary abouta mockKenan & Kelreboot, a drama seriestitledKenan & Kelly, which also incorporates the actress' pregnancy. Featuring numerous well-known programs over its more than four decades in existence, there are millions of young-at-heart adults still fond of the old days of children's television. Die-hard fans of the show will surely remember the episode in The April Fools, which Kenan pranked the majority of his friends and family, and Kel inadvertently ripped of a mailmans mustache. With its theme song performed by rap icon Coolio, the sitcom continues to be a must-watch for fans of the comedic duo.