Watch Host Kenan Thompson’s Opening Monologue

Stay from Los Angeles, it’s the 2022 Emmy Awards! Host Kenan Thompson opened the 74th annual awards present with a bang — and with just a few references to a few of TV’s greatest hits.

The Saturday Night Live icon, 44, put his personal spin on opening themes from tv exhibits like Pals, Stranger Issues and The Brady Bunch — even reuniting the unique solid — on the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Monday, September 12. Earlier than exhibiting off his strikes with the assistance of some gifted backup dancers, the Georgia native poked enjoyable at his standing as the unofficial “mayor” of TV whereas sporting a black swimsuit and matching high hat.

“Effectively, it’s lastly right here, of us. TV’s most particular night time, the place the most important stars on tv have fun different stars on tv whereas all of you watch at residence — on tv,” he stated as he was met with a spherical of applause. “It’s the Emmy Awards! … For everybody on this room, TV is extra than simply how we make a residing. It’s additionally how our brokers make a residing.”

He continued: “I imply, if it weren’t for TV, what would we do in our free time? Learn books? Nobody on this room has learn a guide within the final 50 years. Watch TikTok? Oh, you imply tiny, vertical tv? Or have intercourse? Gross!”

Thompson has earned several Emmy nominations through the years for his work on SNL, successful Excellent Authentic Music And Lyrics in 2018 for a digital sketch titled “Come Again Barack” with Chance the Rapper. Monday marked his first time hosting the ceremony — and he had some massive plans in retailer.

“I really feel [the pressure], for certain,” the Kenan & Kel alum stated on the Right this moment present one week earlier than the Emmys. “I’m excited. I’m excited to get it accomplished. … [I keep having dreams that I’m] late or overlook one thing, you recognize what I imply? Like, I don’t have a swimsuit.”

On the time, Thompson famous that the primary jiffy of the present have been what he was involved about essentially the most. “For me, it’s principally in regards to the starting of it and nailing the monologue and regardless of the opening goes to be. Then all through the remainder of the night time, the bits will play with different folks.”

The previous Nickelodeon star additionally assured Emmys watchers that the awards shall be conflict-free, referring to Will Smith‘s now-infamous outburst on the 2022 Oscars. Smith, 53, stormed the stage in March and slapped Chris Rock throughout the face after the comic, 57, made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith‘s shaved head. The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air alum has since been barred from attending Oscars events for the following 10 years and rescinded his Academy of Movement Image Arts and Sciences membership.

“It form of simply threw your complete world off guard, mainly, and that gained’t occur once more,” Thompson informed the Related Press days earlier than Monday’s ceremony. “Even when I’m roasting [someone], it shouldn’t come throughout as any kind of malice.”

The All That alum famous that he thinks hosting the Emmys is a “huge deal” for any performer — and revealed he initially was hesitant to take the gig. “It’s not essentially one thing that I wish to drop the ball on. So I used to be like, ‘Let me sit with this,’” he defined. “This must be an evening of appreciating artistry and creativity and eradicating the stress of all of it out. I get it — it sucks to lose, and all people’s selecting outfits and making an attempt to do the crimson carpet factor. However on the identical time, it’s an superior factor to be within the room on Emmys night time, and I don’t need that to get misplaced within the stress.”

Thompson isn’t the primary SNL celebrity to take the Emmys stage. Colin Jost and Michael Che teamed up as hosts in 2018, following Andy Samberg in 2015 and Seth Meyers in 2014. Jimmy Fallon emceed the ceremony in 2010.

“Everybody’s obtained to do it as soon as, and it’s his flip, he’s earned it,” Meyers, 48, informed Selection of his pal Thompson in August. “The excellent news is Kenan, like I used to be, is fortunate sufficient to be linked to a gifted group of writers. The SNL writing workers, I’m certain, goes to point out up for Kenan as a result of he has been exhibiting up for them and their sketches, getting laughs on seems and line reads for 20 years.”

Together with internet hosting the present, Thompson and his SNL costars are nominated for Excellent Selection Sketch Collection.