Kenan Thompson is joining Maya Rudolph and Martin Short in their upcoming NBC variety series, "Maya and Marty in Manhattan." The comedy show will air live each week from 30 Rockefeller Center in New York.
"Maya and Marty" will feature sketches that spoof current events, celebrities and topical trends, as well as musical performances. Rudolph (as Beyoncé) and Short gave a memorable performance during the 40th anniversary of "Saturday Night Live" last year, reminiscing about the show's best musical acts such as Garth & Kat, Marty & Bobbi Culp, Opera Man, King Tut and The Blue Brothers.
"With their cumulative expertise and experience in live comedy, we couldn't ask for a better trio to deliver what we know will be a fantastic show," said Paul Telegdy, President of Alternative and Late Night Programming at NBC Entertainment. "Their respective accomplishments on 'Saturday Night Live' and beyond are extraordinary."
Thompson is the current longest-running cast member on "Saturday Night Live," and has had the third longest tenure in the show's history. His 13 seasons tie Seth Meyers, who left the show in 2014, and trails the leader Darrell Hammond, who starred for 14 seasons between 1995 and 2009.
Rudolph starred for eight seasons on "SNL," overlapping with Thompson from 2003 to 2007. Since the leaving the show, she has starred in the movies "Bridesmaids," "Away We Go," "The Way Way Back" and "Sisters." She's currently guest-starring on the Fox comedy, "The Grinder" and will star in the upcoming films "We Don't Belong Here" and the big screen adaptation of "CHiPs." She also stars in the indie film "Mr. Pig," which premiered at Sundance in January.
Short is also an "SNL" alum, starring on the show during the 1984-85 season. The legendary comedian has won two Emmys, a Tony and starred in such beloved comedies as the "Father of the Bride" franchise and "¡Three Amigos!"
"Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels will serve as an executive producer on the live variety series. Rudoph and Short also have an executive produce credit on the project.
"Maya and Marty in Manhattan" will premiere on Tuesday, May 31 at 10 p.m. on NBC following the two-hour premiere of "America's Got Talent," heading into its 11th season.
