[It] kind of freaked people out. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). 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. They were Dawn of the Dead fans!" We want to get it done and out, theMighty Ducksactor joked during the panel. HamburgerHarley & Other Promotional Products. It was written in the script as "I do I do-oo-oo," and Kel "sung it a little bit, put a little twang on it" to create the magic. 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. The two later became co-executive producers of a 2019 reboot of All That,the'0s Nickelodeon sketch comedy series that made them famous. ", Kel said he also performed a Michael Jackson parody during his audition. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, Get our latest stories in the feed of your favorite networks. The first two seasons of Kenan & Kel were filmed in Florida at Universal Studios. TheWhat a Girl Wantsactress did not previously reveal why she would be absent from the convention. the comedian explained. All That became a huge success for Nickelodeon and Thompson and Mitchell proved to be two of the biggest breakout stars. But the show almost had a different name. Entertainment, Kel recalled how Kenan got callbacks after he did not. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the first black stars of a Nickelodeon primetime sitcom. 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? But when he finally heard Mitchells voice, Thompson realized he wasnt worried about that anymore. 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. "MURPHY BROWNtogether again. 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. Kel Mitchell poses with his "Kenan & Kel" co-star Kenan Thompson. IT WAS ALSO A FIELDS FAMILY GET-TOGETHER. Well, Mitchell has provided some clarity on the state of their friendship and also discussed his old colleague's role on Saturday Night Live. The Braverman kids grow up so fast! What Does Bruce Campbell Think About A Crossover? That's their names.' If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Kel also taught their adopted chimpanzee from the local zoo to do the same thing. 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 New York, Kenan & Kel aired from 1996 to 2000. ", Kel added, "But I wasn't upset about it. Except, They Always Got to Cut the Line at the Local Theme Park. While Kenan was characterized as more of a level-headed schemer, Kel was notable for his dimwittedness and his love for orange soda. Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action. Survivors ready for this reunion?! 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. In the Kenan & Kellysketch, Kel makes a dramatic entrance and an equally dramatic exit. "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. 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 RELATED: Nickelodeon's 25 Best TV Shows Ever. 20 Years After 'Good Burger,' Kenan & Kel Are Finally Close Again Dan Schneider, who was the executive producer and show runner on "All That" and produced "Kenan & Kel," came up with the line, "I love orange soda," for Mitchell's character on "Kenan & Kel" to say. "He went through, I wanna say, four or five more auditions before he actually got in," he said, adding,"And I love Kenan. On VH1s list of the top 100 teen stars, Kenan ranked #88. The truth is Kenan does not want to be seen with me in any form of media, or even have my name mentioned around him. The FYI gang's getting back together! Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny reunited (with her dog Stella) in April 2021. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. "People are like, Why'd you get root beer? While on hiatus from "All That," Mitchell and Thompson shot their spinoff show, "Kenan & Kel." ", "Kenan & Kel" Almost Had a Different Name. "I did [drink a lot of orange soda]. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Not only were the writers aware of Foree's role in the film, "The writers were fans," Foree said. 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. Milton Berle portrayed Uncle Leo in Two Heads Are Better Than None (2000). It's everywhere.". It was so bad, it was good, to me. Check out the hottest fashion, photos, movies and TV shows! Sure, former co-stars may not be all that close in some instances. So, what are you guys talking about? theSaturday Night Livestar quipped on Saturday after he took the stage inside the Connecticut Convention Center, donning a white sweatshirt and black sunglasses. As a high school sophomore, Mitchell said life on the "All That" set was a lot like high school. Keke had confirmed rumorsshe is expecting her first child with a bare baby bump reveal during herSNLmonologue. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. He was born and raised in Atlanta, GA as the son of Fletcher and Kel Mitchell appears in a cast photo with his co-stars from the Nickelodeon show "All That.". Joshua Malina, who played Will Bailey on the NBC series, postedin July 2018aphotoon social media of him having dinner with friends, including fellow former co-starsBradley Whitford(Josh Lyman) andJanel Moloney(Donna Moss) and show creatorAaron Sorkin. After the series ended, Mitchell continued to act, as well as producing, directing, doing voice over work and performing standup comedy. — -- Kel Mitchell, now 37, was just 15 years old when he made his debut appearance on the Nickelodeon show "All That." 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! After choking on a screw he found in his tuna sandwich, Kenan sues the tuna company, but Kel once again ruins everything. I havent talked to this dude in years. 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. 1/9 Kenan Thompson 19 years. The shows creative direction started where every great show does a Sinbad birthday party. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. But at some point during the 2000s, the pair fell out of touch. Kel loves orange soda. Kel Mitchell reveals the story behind his character's love for orange soda. 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. It was immediate, like I had seen him yesterday or something like that, Thompson said. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. Between their years "The show is not good," Kenan deadpans in a confessional, before adding jokingly, "ButJordan Peele called us. But once there, Thompson felt nervous again. "Kel, excuse my French, wouldn't have been sh*t without Kenan, and Kenan wouldn't have been sh*t without Kel. Said 19-year-old Kenan. Thompson feels the same way. He was one of my best friends., On the phone, the two decided they wouldnt let themselves lose touch again. 11 Things You Didn't Know About Good Burger - Looper In 2012, he told TMZ, The truth is Kenan does not want to be seen with me in any form of media, or even have my name mentioned around him. In 2014, he said the two had had no contact since Mitchell showed up to Thompsons birthday party unannounced more than five years before. "I did a whole bunch of different characters, [like] my teachers and just old guys I would see in Chicago on the train," Mitchell said. "It was like an episode of Kenan & Kel' but real life. It was just a rhythm thing between them., Once the second season of All That was complete, the actors stayed at Universal Studios in Orlando, where the show filmed, to immediately begin Kenan & Kel. he wrote. When my wife and I go out to eat, it doesnt matter what type of restaurant were at, whether its a five-star restaurant or a burger shack, people go crazy if I dont get an orange soda. Kel "But basically I did this joke about DMX - if DMX was in TOY STORY. A sketch that would become one of their most popular started it all. I mean leaving Nickelodeon was definitely an adjustment, shares Thompson. Kels love for orange soda and Kenans constant scheming made the show an instant classic. 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. WebHow old was Kenan Thompson when Started? 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. Kim Fieldswho was Even now, Mitchell said fans still love the line. More than a decade before, Thompson moved to New York City to work at NBCs Saturday Night Live, where he hoped to distinguish himself as a singular comedic force, not one half of a teenage duo. left quite a few younger audience members sleeping with the lights on. How old were Kenan and Kel on their show? - The Famous 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. 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. He then went on to star in the spinoff "Kenan & Kel" as the orange soda-loving side kick to his "All That" co-star Kenan Thompson. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Kenan and Kel But when he finally heard Mitchells voice, Thompson realized he wasnt worried about that anymore. 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We didnt feel that we could do any better. Vibe is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Set in Chicago, the sitcom chronicled the misadventures of ambitious Kenan Rockmore and dimwitted Kel Kimble. Since then, the pair have indeed kept in touch. "We would clique up every now and then, and then sometimes we're friends, and you know kids," Mitchell said. He then went on to star in the Clarissa Explains It All was another of Nickelodeon's earliest live-action comedy series. 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. Giving a great deal of credence to the term time flies, today marks the 20th anniversary of the 90s sitcom Kenan & Kel. Sinbad is definitely going to be back even if we have to go to him. Mitchell enjoyed the song so much that he has since integrated it into his stand-up career. "He was just really, really mean. Kenan And Kel Friends' Monica and Phoebereunite at the theUCLA Semel Institute's 2018 Open Mind Gala. 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.. 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. ", Real Life Was a Lot like a "Kenan & Kel" Episode. By Blaise Santi / April 30, 2023 1:15 pm EST. #memories #TheWonderYears". Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. It's more about us being dads now and talking about the kids and things like that. "Happiness is spontaneously running into old pals from my That's So Raven days!!! But for Thompson, its enough to just have his friend back and their memories together intact. 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.. After six straight years of working together non-stop, the stars were going their separate ways. With its theme song performed by rap icon Coolio, the sitcom continues to be a must-watch for fans of the comedic duo. 90s Stars: Then and Now, waxed nostalgic on their Nickelodeon heydays. 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. In 2004, Foree had a cameo in Zack Snyder's 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake, playing The Televangelist. ", Kel adds, "He wants us to do a sequel toNope.". From Kenan Thompson to Clarissa Darling and everyone in between, here are 10 of the most nostalgic Nickelodeon series to air during the 1990s. The two went on to star in their own spinoff comedy series, Kenan & Kel, which ran for four seasons from 1996 to 2000 on the kids TV network. We didnt [know each other before All That] and its funny how we all met, the Dancing With the Stars alum recalled to Fallon, 48, on Friday. What's wrong with you?' We call each other and text each other all the time, Thompson said. Rider Strong,Will Friedle andBen Savagewere bumping along with pregnant former co-starDanielle Fishel at the Fan Expo Dallas 2019 event. We shot it in Florida in the 90s, which was cool because back then it was just like us and Shaq., While Thompson says that the episodes almost all blend together at this point, what he will remember most are the people and the relationships. Orange soda? And they just crack up, but I enjoy it. During our first lunch they were just hilarious. Hayden Byerly, Xolo Mariduena and the Allen twins come together at GBK's Teen Choice Awards party at Dave & Busters in Hollywood. 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. That's how it came to be. It may be hard to believe, but its been 20 years since the world first met Kenan Rockmore (Kenan Thompson) and his orange soda-loving best friend, Kel Kimble (Kel Mitchell). Both of them now contend that the dissolution of their friendship was a result of their work schedules and living on different sides of the country. Ezria lives on! "It was bubbles everywhere. 2000s Nickelodeon Hunks: Where Are They Now? 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kenan & Kel 'Sign this Ken!' Her sister, Alexis Fields, portrayed Sharla Morrison. 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. Nicholas Brendon wrote on Instagram. I'm good though. 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. On, , a decade and a half after Kenan & Kel ended, they finally did, appearing, It was weird to see him because I hadnt seen him in 10 years, he said. Mitchell said the orange soda he often drank on the show actually came from a local grocery store chain in Florida. I feel like it would be an awesome moment for everybody., Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell look back as their show celebrates its 20th anniversary. "I get recognized everywhere, like at a red light, and people will be like, Do the orange soda thing,' and then the, Welcome to Good Burger thing,'" Mitchell told ABC News. 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. For his "All That" audition, Mitchell performed as different characters, some of whom he based on people he knew in real life. In 2015, Kenan and Kel reunited to co-star in a "Good Burger" sketch on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. 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 humor and physical comedy. Ben Savage attended former co-starMatthew Lawrence andDancing With the Stars proCheryl Burke's engagement party in July 2018. I, for one, am grateful for that, especially considering the quality work the two were able to gift viewers with during their time as child stars. Back then, Thompson feared that he and Mitchell would both be forever stymied by their history together each seen as child actors who could not succeed without the other. Kenan 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. The network had been on the air for nearly 20 years when Kenan & Kel made its debut on July 15, 1996. WebKenan and Kel try to buy a car, but encounter difficulties while trying. In one episode, Kenan said the word huckleberry. Fast Furious-style [with multiple movies]!. Brian Robbins played Eric Mardian on Head of the Class before co-creating All That and executive producing Kenan & Kel, where he directed five episodes. WebMore from Deadline Cancellations/Renewals Scorecard: TV Shows. It was just us, Mitchell said. , 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. — -- Kel Mitchell, now 37, was just 15 years old when he made his debut appearance on the Nickelodeon show "All That.". 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. For many, Nickelodeon 's programming was the television of their childhood. 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. 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. 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. In 2015, he said, We havent seen each other in a long time.. Mark-Paul Gosselaar,Mario Lopez,Tiffani Thiessen andElizabeth Berkley brought their spouses along for a quadruple dinner date in April 2019. . While Mitchell genuinely did love orange soda, he says that nowadays he consumes more low-calorie drinks. "Dan [Schneider] wrote that scene," Mitchell explained of the first time Kel declared his love for the orange-flavored beverage. Her character was killed off on Little House so that Parady could focus on raising her own family. The Tainting of the Screw. It was immediate, like I had seen him yesterday or something like that, Thompson said. "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. You were having a conversation with two people, who were in a comedic rhythm. He also said, "So I'll be agueston the show. The whole apartment was just with bubbles," Mitchell said. "But then I added a little flavor to it, a little sing-y song-y, like the whole, I do I do I do-ooh,' and it just took off.". On Friends it was, How you doin? Over on Family Matters, Urkel was always wondering, Did I do that? Perhaps no catchphrase is more synonymous with Kenan & Kel than, Who loves orange soda?, I dont think any of us knew how big that was going to be, even today I still get that, says Mitchell of his characters euphoric way of declaring his love for his favorite beverage. But to Thompson and Mitchell, they were first and foremost something else: two old friends. NY 10036. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell attend the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022. 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? Nobody's in love,'" Mitchell said. A boy from Greenwood, South Carolina. ", Kel continued, "We talk all the time. 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. ThompsonsKenan and Kelcostar Kel Mitchell revealed during the session that his 44-year-old longtime pal would be joining the talk, alongside fellowAll Thatalums Lori Beth Denberg and Danny Tamberelli. Kenan & Kel Made timeless thanks to its memorable characters and witty, endlessly quotable writing, SpongeBob SquarePants has become an undying cultural landmark. But in that short moment, they werent a brand. It could be Valentine's Day, and he was just like, I don't care. 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. 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. Let's hope we get to see more of their camaraderie on screen sooner rather than later. I love watching him on there. Rumors of a falling out between them would emerge around the time they both auditioned for SNL in 2003. In May 2021, Kevin McHale andJenna Ushkowitz partied at her bachelorette party ahead of her wedding to boyfriendDavid Stanley. Mitchell said his "Kenan & Kel" co-star Kenan Thompson was his closest friend on set. Slash Film. ", In an April 2022 interview withYahoo! We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. 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. Now, when Mitchell visits New York, he loves to spend time with Thompson and his family. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. I keep saying Harry Styles, he joked on Saturday. Are the TV best buds still on good terms? The one where EW follows up with the cast. Good Burger which premiered in 1997 took inspiration from Thompson and MitchellsKenan & Kelsketch of the same name, a spinoff ofAll That. Sometimes we will get letters from older kids, even adults! Kenan & Kels wide audience appeal and success as a comedy duo on