Kel Mitchell Reflects on Ups and Downs With Kenan Thompson

On their very own paths. Kel Mitchell couldn’t be happier about teaming up with Kenan Thompson once more — however the duo have been via some highs and lows.

Mitchell, 44, gushed over his longtime bond with the Saturday Night Live star, additionally 44, whereas talking solely to Us Weekly at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, March 18. “It’s a brotherhood. It’s actually a brotherhood,” the Chicago native stated. “We have been praying collectively proper earlier than we went out to go see [Jimmy] Fallon and [had] a bunch of hugs and laughed all day. You recognize what I imply? That’s my bro so that is enjoyable to us.”

The dynamic duo worked together on All That and Kenan & Kel all through the late ’90s. They introduced the extremely anticipated followup to 1997’s Good Burger on the Friday, March 17, episode of The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon. “It’s unbelievable, it’s a blessing,” Thompson stated on the time. “We’re gonna shoot it this summer time and it will likely be out quickly.”

Mitchell headed to 90s Con the subsequent day — and the Heavyweights actor joined him for a surprise appearance through the All That panel. When requested the way it feels to be revisiting Good Burger greater than 20 years later, Mitchell advised Us, “It’s surreal and we have been emotional the entire time speaking about it.”

For the reason that success of the ’90s comedy, Mitchell and his BFF went on to have comparatively completely different careers. Thompson has been a part of the SNL forged since 2003, turning into the longest-tenured star in the show’s history and earning an Emmy Award in 2018. Mitchell, in the meantime, final appeared on the massive display screen in 2013 and has had a handful of minor TV roles.

The Dancing With the Stars alum obtained candid about dealing with ups and downs with Thompson over time as their lives took their turns. “It’s important to give it some thought, once you’re adulting throughout the limelight and you’re simply looking for your self inside this enterprise … we simply went other ways,” Mitchell advised Us. “However I feel that occurs with everyone.”

He defined: “[It’s like] once you’re in highschool and your folks went to completely different faculties, however then you definately stayed involved and now you’re experiencing life as adults now. It’s simply such an superior factor. And to nonetheless be pals after that whole journey is superior.”

Earlier than revisiting their All That days on the fan conference, Mitchell and Thompson reunited on a December 2022 episode of SNL to do a sketch with host and fellow Nickelodeon alum Keke Palmer. Nevertheless, there was a time when becoming a member of forces with Thompson felt like a far-fetched concept to the Motorcity alum.

“I respect his alternative of eager to make a reputation for himself solo. … I’m not declining a reunion,” Mitchell advised TMZ in 2012, noting that there was “no unhealthy blood” on his finish. “I do know the followers love [Kenan & Kel] and would like to see some sort of look with us … I simply don’t see that ever occurring due to how he actually feels.”

Regardless of their challenges, the twosome are prepared to return again stronger than ever. Mitchell has thrown himself into preparing for Good Burger 2 — and is getting himself into tip-top shape.

“[I’m] figuring out! I labored out this morning,” he advised Us on Saturday. “I wish to ensure I nonetheless look the identical [as in the original movie]. … I do lots of calisthenics. I do lots of HIIT exercises, excessive depth exercises. … I do 45 minutes within the morning, after which all through the day, I do micro-workouts.”

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Aside from his low-impact coaching — which he does “5 instances a day” — Mitchell is on the brink of convey the laughs. “Me and Kenan are ensuring that [the sequel’s] tremendous, tremendous humorous. We’ve identified about it for a very long time,” he teased. “That has been very arduous [to keep secret], however we’re tremendous excited that everyone is aware of now and it’s out.”