The one where EW follows up with the cast. When the Nickelodeon show premiered on August17, 1996, 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. Kenan and Kel: The story behind America's favorite orange soda Theyd ask him, Wheres Kel? and theyd ask me Wheres Kenan?. In 2015, Kenan and Kel reunited to co-star in a "Good Burger" sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. ", Kel continued, "We talk all the time. By Blaise Santi / April 30, 2023 1:15 pm EST. — -- Kel Mitchell, now 37, was just 15 years old when he made his debut appearance on the Nickelodeon show "All That." 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. All That became a huge success for Nickelodeon and Thompson and Mitchell proved to be two of the biggest breakout stars. Kenan and Kel 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. We want to get it done and out, theMighty Ducksactor joked during the panel. Shows Well, Mitchell has provided some clarity on the state of their friendship and also discussed his old colleague's role on Saturday Night Live. "Saturday night with a friend," Courteney Cox captioned this pic of Monica and Phoebe back together, but Lisa Kudrowtook a little issue. Kenan Thompson previously credited Nick for his ability to balance his job as an Saturday Night Live cast member and his duties on his NBC sitcom, Kenan. The Key Advice Modern Family's Sarah Hyland Would Go Back And Give Herself During First Season, Alexandra Daddario Gets Real About Being A Little Bit Of A Mess And The Importance Of Self-Care, A Small Light Showrunner Discusses The Goal To 'Take The Cobwebs' Off Miep Gies Beyond The Diary Of Anne Frank. We were [just] at the table read and everything, Mitchell exclusively teased toUs Weeklyin December 2022 while attending the Peoples Choice Awards. Sheposted on her Twitter page a photo of herand the actor standingtogether outsideSt. Andrew's Priory School in Honolulu,which was used to depict amonastery in Eddington, Scotland on thetouching season four episode "The Constant.". And its my childhood, as well as anybody elses.. That was a brilliant move on the producers part to capitalize on the chemistry the two had in order to create comedic gold. How old were Kenan and Kel during their show Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! He had gone through his own tribulations or whatever and he was on the other side of that finally., Memories of his time with Mitchell came flooding back to Thompson. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchells friendship (both on and off screen) was widely loved by viewers who watched Nickelodeon back in the '90s. Mike Johnson and Rachel Lindsaycatch up at a private Kendrick Lamar concert event hosted by Pair of Thieves in Los Angeles. Following the exploits and antics of a group of kids living in a fictional Californian seaside town, Rocket Power placed an emphasis on extreme sports, and many of the show's plotlines heavily featured activities like skateboarding, rollerblading, and surfing. "Happiness is spontaneously running into old pals from my That's So Raven days!!! Not only would they soon get their own feature film, Good Burger, based off of their memorable characters from the show, but theyd also land an opportunity that few actors do a show with their names in the title. She also posted her own selfiewith the caption "My eyes! Now back on Nickelodeon, Mitchell recently shared some behind the scenes secrets of his time as a teenager on the set of "All That" and "Kenan & Kel. I mean they had to keep us together cause we were just kids and we had lot of fun together. The Braverman kids grow up so fast! Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell Announce Good Burger 2 Is In honor of its 20th anniversary, were counting down the dynamic duos 10 most memorable moments. Part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Powered by WordPress VIP, Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Janet Gough/AFF-USA.com/MEGA; John Nacion/Shutterstock, Abe Vigoda, Kel Mitchell, and Kenan Thompson in Good Burger.. He had been on All That before at that point, so we felt like we knew him. 2023 E! We hit the goal, I guess we can retire now., When searching for an artist to create the theme song for a new show on a kids network, where do you turn? 2023 Vibe Media, LLC. When two hip older teenagers scoff at Kenan and Kel for being too young to get into a real club, the boys set about making their own dance club--in Rigby's. HEY! 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. I love watching him on there. Now, when Mitchell visits New York, he loves to spend time with Thompson and his family. 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. The slime-centric kids network seemed to have a big impact on the stars. I think we just had very similar experiences in life, like he happened to be from Chicago and Im from Atlanta, but most black families are pretty much the same, like very close and very fearful of our five-foot mothers and st like that, laughed Thompson. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Included in the initial cast were two unknown 15-year-olds, Thompson from Atlanta and Mitchell from Chicago. Thompson and Mitchell, also 44, both appeared onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonon Friday, March 17, where they revealed when they are currently planning to begin production on part 2 ofGood Burger. The show was set in Chicago, Illinois, and centered on the antics of two mischievous teenagers, Kenan Rockmore (Thompson) and Kel Kimble (Mitchell). You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. It was unbelievable, says Thompson. ", In an April 2022 interview withYahoo! But once there, Thompson felt nervous again. I cant get mad at it because I love those times too and I feel where theyre coming from because its their childhood.. My eyes!". "They were fans! Nevertheless, the experience touched them both. I mean, we DID grow up together, after all. He was really mean about everything. You know what time it is! "It ran on a loop and they wouldn't turn it off!". Through all their professional and personal highs and lows though, it's just comforting to know that Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell are still close. Melissa Joan Hart and Soleil Moon Frye celebrate National BFF Day with the Heluva Good! Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson are pictured together on set. Your culture and entertainment cheat-sheet. This was a guy I saw every day, all day, Thompson said. Can Do Better" is currently her most recent TV appearance. Once, when the rapper was asked if he had a preference between Kenan and Kel, he couldn't choose. Made timeless thanks to its memorable characters and witty, endlessly quotable writing, SpongeBob SquarePants has become an undying cultural landmark. Coming to your neighborhood TV in the fall. He was born and raised in Atlanta, GA as the son of Fletcher and Kel Mitchell reveals the story behind his character's love for orange soda. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny reunited (with her dog Stella) in April 2021. Mitchell said the orange soda he often drank on the show actually came from a local grocery store chain in Florida. Reunited and it feels so good! "I would go, Who loves orange soda? Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson pose with a Good Burger vehicle. "Kel, excuse my French, wouldn't have been sh*t without Kenan, and Kenan wouldn't have been sh*t without Kel. Kim Fieldswho was ", He continued, "And I remember Tina Fey was there, and I remember afterwards she was like 'Good job!' Kenan & Kel Look Back On Their Hit Show 20 Years Later Stylistically, the sitcom combined Thompsons dry wit and sarcasm with Mitchells brand of slapstick As a child on All That, he pulled Mitchells baby sister out of his pants as part of a sketch called Baggin Saggin Barry. Shes like 20 years old now, Thompson, 39, said. Sign up for Us Weekly's free, daily newsletter and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more! Kel It was almost as if it was rehearsed even though you knew it was organic. But at some point during the 2000s, the pair fell out of touch. Debuted in 1998, Nickelodeon's The Wild Thornberrys told the tale of a family of eccentric wildlife documentary filmmakers, shining a spotlight on Eliza, a young girl blessed with the ability to communicate with animals. They Got to Be Friends With the Musical Guests, Too. See photos of TV stars' reunions over the years: The two had aKenan & Kel reunion onSNL on Dec. 3, 2022, about 19 years after they both auditioned for the NBC series at the same time, with Kenan being invited to join the cast. WebMore from Deadline Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows. They clicked immediately. 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. Soon after, they made plans to reunite. "Dan [Schneider] wrote that scene," Mitchell explained of the first time Kel declared his love for the orange-flavored beverage. 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. Kenan Besides "Good Burger" Ed, Mitchell's other favorite "All That" character to portray was Coach Cretin, who he based on a coach at his high school. 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. "It was like an episode of Kenan & Kel' but real life. Yet when you've been through what these two have, it's easy to see why their bond has remained strong. 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. Kel Mitchell is pictured as a baby in this undated photo. "I got to see these guys for lunch yesterday - it was so much fun to catch up and hear how their beautiful families are doing,"Danica McKellar shared on Twitter. I keep saying Harry Styles, he joked on Saturday. And I'm digging it and it's funny.". 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, Offers may be subject to change without notice. It was one of the network's most popular offerings during its four-year run, but tensions between Nick and the show's co-creators, Mitch Shauer and Keith Kaczorek, led to its cancellation in 2001. 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. For years, Kenan & Kel fans had begged the two of them to reunite, as each struggled to find their voice independent of one another. 90s Stars: Then and Now, waxed nostalgic on their Nickelodeon heydays. I was actually at a birthday party for the comedian Sinbad and an exec from Nickelodeon was introduced to me at the party, shares Kim Bass, the creator of Kenan & Kel, an expert at comedy duos after creating Sister, Sister. They were the same, he recalls. Do Kenan Thompson And Kel Mitchel Still Hang Out? The All We want to hear from you! Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action. After the series ended, Mitchell continued to act, as well as producing, directing, doing voice over work and performing standup comedy. since Mitchell showed up to Thompsons birthday party unannounced more than five years before. 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? when they are currently planning to begin production, long played coy about the possibility of a sequel, Steve Martin, Kate McKinnon and More of SNL's Most Successful Cast Members. 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 While Kenan was a scheming high school student looking for fame and fortune to improve his station as a Chicago grocery store clerk, Kel was his clumsy best friend who was vocal about his love affair with orange soda. It's more about us being dads now and talking about the kids and things like that. Abbott and Costello. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the first black stars of a Nickelodeon primetime sitcom. "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. The network had been on the air for nearly 20 years when Kenan & Kel made its debut on July 15, 1996. 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. Live from New York, it's another epicKenan & Kel reunion! Dan Schneider, one of the co-creators of All That, had been the one to give Thompsons number to Mitchell and suggest he call. Thats how you are when youre young, Oh yeah, Coolios my best friend.. Murphy Brown is returning to CBS in the 2018-2019 TV season and Candice Bergen marked their reunion on Instagram. Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson in the 1997 film "Good Burger." The legendary comedian passed away on March 27, 2002. 26 Oct. 1996. I mean, we might as well; it couldnt hurt, teases Thompson. Weve been looking for you, I thought you were an older white lady. Bass, who is black and was then in his late 30s, jokingly responded, Well, Im sorry to disappoint you, Im not. ", Kel said he also performed a Michael Jackson parody during his audition. "A mini reunion in New York Cityformer castmates, favorite dinner dates, forever playmates. 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. "It was bubbles everywhere. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It was just this emotional moment, Mitchell said. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). List of Kenan & Kel characters What I really think about is just how much fun this show was, Mitchell reflects. The shows creative direction started where every great show does a Sinbad birthday party. At the end of Saturdays event, Mitchell gave the 36-year-oldShes the Manstar a sweet shout-out and asked the crowd to send a prayer to Bynes to feel better.. To Kenan & Kel fans, they were two TV characters. 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, Kenan & Kel. 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. Kels love for orange soda and Kenans constant scheming made the show an instant classic. It all happened pretty much the first day because that was when we were like, Oh, were the same dude.. Dan Frischman portrayed Arvid Engen in Head of the Class, then got the role of Chris Potter, Kenan's boss, on Kenan & Kel after his former co-stars asked Frischman if he knew a "Chris Elliott" type for the role. Kel loves orange soda. The two later became co-executive producers of a 2019 reboot of All That,the'0s Nickelodeon sketch comedy series that made them famous. But when he finally heard Mitchells voice, Thompson realized he wasnt worried about that anymore. ", Real Life Was a Lot like a "Kenan & Kel" Episode. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. 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. Christopher Polk/NBC via Getty Images When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Entertainment Television, LLC A Division of NBCUniversal. "But basically I did this joke about DMX - if DMX was in TOY STORY. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. He also said, "So I'll be agueston the show. I mean leaving Nickelodeon was definitely an adjustment, shares Thompson. Kel also taught their adopted chimpanzee from the local zoo to do the same thing. Kenan & Kel aired from 1996 to 2000. 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. "There was a TV monitor outside the dressing area [in Orlando] that had a goofy Nickelodeon cartoon character singing a very annoying jingle," Frischman recalled. But are Kenan and Kel still What's wrong with you?' "We would clique up every now and then, and then sometimes we're friends, and you know kids," Mitchell said. Survivors ready for this reunion?! Pulling pranks was one of their favorite activities, including one time when they replaced the dishwasher soap with laundry detergent. Along with the family's pet chimpanzee Darwin, Eliza and her family would go on all sorts of adventures which often highlighted themes of wildlife conservation. Mitchell distinctly remembers cutting off his beard and putting on his Good Burger wig for the sketch when he saw Thompson in the hallway dressed as construction worker Lester Oakes. Kenan & Kel is an American buddy comedy sitcom created by Kim Bass. The show originally aired on the Nickelodeon network for four seasons, from July 15, 1996, to July 15, 2000. Since Mitchell's mom and Thompson's mom would hang out, he and Thompson also spent a lot of time together off-set at each other's Florida apartments. For show-runner Dan Frischman, the move could not have come at a better time. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. From Amanda Bynes to Kenan Thompson, any kid growing up in the mid-to-late 90s will have a soft spot for this series, and the launch of a reboot in 2019 is a testament to its cultural relevance. Rugrats grew and evolved as it went, eventually leading to a spin-off series that took place during the main characters' early teen years. But soon enough, he realized it was just like comfortable shoes.. WebNickelodeon's live action shows were an after-school ritual for '90s kids, and these were definitely the top ten greatest among them. Good Burger which premiered in 1997 took inspiration from Thompson and MitchellsKenan & Kelsketch of the same name, a spinoff ofAll That. Though its original run wasn't exclusive to Nickelodeon, plenty of 90s tweens will have fond and fright-filled memories of the children's horror show Are You Afraid Of The Dark? Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs and Joel McHalecome together at the star-studded grand opening of Simone in the arts district of Los Angeles. He was one of my best friends., On the phone, the two decided they wouldnt let themselves lose touch again. We didnt feel that we could do any better. Thompson is now set to take her place in the cast meet-and-greet photo ops with fans. Thompson feels the same way. That situation doesn't seem to have affected their friendship, though, as the two still appear to be close (as evidenced by their Good Burger reunion on The Tonight Show in 2015. That hook, the song still holds up today, he says. But to Thompson and Mitchell, they were first and foremost something else: two old friends. On VH1s list of the top 100 teen stars, Kenan ranked #88. 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. In May 2021, Kevin McHale andJenna Ushkowitz partied at her bachelorette party ahead of her wedding to boyfriendDavid Stanley. I wondered cause I heard the same rumors of beef and all that, so I didnt really know, since I hadnt spoken with him if there was really a problem or not.. But does the comedic pair hang out now? You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. It's everywhere.". While on hiatus from "All That," Mitchell and Thompson shot their spinoff show, "Kenan & Kel." Tom Welling,Michael RosenbaumandKristin Kreukreunited at the Fan Expo Dallas 2019 event. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Appearing in several different iterations and formats from 1994 to 2005, Nickelodeon's All That was the single most important variety show in the network's history. The Tainting of the Screw. "MURPHY BROWNtogether again. "He was just really, really mean. 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. But the loss of contact became a stable source of tabloid fodder, one that Mitchell did his part to occasionally drum up. You were having a conversation with two people, who were in a comedic rhythm. Shannen Doherty,Jason Priestley,Christine Elise, Brian Austin Green,Ian Ziering andGabrielle Carteris hang out on the set of the 2019 reboot,BH90210. Heres how it works. When we started doing sketches together that was when we kind of saw the Kenan & Kel magic, says Mitchell. Mitchell, now 37, is returning to Nickelodeon on the show "Game Shakers," which airs Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. 1/9 Kenan Thompson 19 years The longest-running cast member in SNL history is Kenan Thompson, and hes still there, so his record might keep expanding. Let's hope we get to see more of their camaraderie on screen sooner rather than later. Established in the late 1970s, Nickelodeonwas the first North American television channel to focus exclusively on programming intended for children. Before he played Kenan's father, Roger Rockmore, Ken Foree played Peter in George Romero's Dawn of the Dead (1978). Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I'm good though. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Macaulay! One of the most iconic Nickelodeon series of all time, Rugrats focused on a gaggle of toddlers and their misadventures, which mostly focused on imagined scenarios based on real-life situations and settings. And based on Kel Mitchell's later comments during his interview with Yahoo!, their relationship and on-screen chemistry was truly strengthened during their All That tenure: They put us in every sketch together because Kenan and I would always, like, hang out after a sketch, after a show. A staple of Nickelodeon's turn-of-the-century lineup, Angry Beavers was a hilarious series that featured the antics of two titular beavers living their lives in the fictional forest village of Wayouttatown, Oregon.