SNL icon Kenan Thompson announced as 2022 Emmy Awards host

It came down to the wire — the Emmys are next month, after all — but NBC and the Television Academy have finally found a host for this year’s ceremony: Saturday Night Live icon Kenan Thompson.

Thompson, the longest-running cast member in SNL history, was named after a lengthy search by , the Academy, and Emmys producers Done+Dusted and Reggie Hudlin to find an A-list name that might shake things up. It turns out, that the A-lister was in their own backyard. The telecast will air live on Sept. 12 on NBC, and stream on Peacock as well.

“Being a part of this incredible evening where we honor the best of the television community is ridiculously exciting, and to do it on NBC – my longtime network family – makes it even more special,” Thompson said in a statement. “Like all TV fans, I can’t wait to see the stars from my favorite shows.”

"Kenan is well-regarded as one of funniest, likable, and accomplished performers of the last two decades and his tenure on ‘Saturday Night Live’ speaks for itself,” said Jen Neal, exec VP of Live Events for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “We know he’ll bring excitement and professionalism to the Emmy Awards that a show of this stature deserves