Variety is reporting that children’s network Nickelodeon is set to revive its ’90s sketch comedy show All That for a new generation. Featuring a brand new cast, the show will see All That alumni Kenan Thompson assume the role of executive producer. Nickelodeon is also expecting to have former cast members make cameo appearances during this new run.
Brian Robbins, president of Nickelodeon, told Variety that the show has, “stayed in the zeitgeist for many years…People are really fond of it.” Robbins was a co-creator and executive producer on the original run and is happy to see the show come back. “We think there’s a great opportunity to find the next pool of stars.”
Thompson is also enthusiastically on board with this revival. “It means everything to me,” said the star. “It was my first job that I ever had. It gave me an opportunity.” Robbins had approached Thompson about the idea and they both agreed it was a “no-brainer.” He couldn’t wait to take on the role of executive producer.
The show is looking to be a mixture of old and new concepts. Robbins said, “This summer, we are going to bring back a lot of the original cast and the cast through the years, and let them introduce the new cast of ‘All That‘ to the world.” Then he stated that the program would be, “a sort of mash-up of some of the old sketches and a lot of new sketches.”
Since Thompson currently stars on Saturday Night Live, he told Variety that his time on All That “is limited.” While he will be maintaining some control over the show’s tone and style, he won’t be present at every meeting. “If I’m not at the table read, I’ll be on the phone during the table read,” Thompson stated. “I think it should be a staple show for Nickelodeon.”
A wholesome take on NBC’s popular Saturday Night Live, All That ran from April 1994 until October 2005 and was beloved by many children in their youth. It brought us such classic skits as “Good Burger”, “Pizza Face”, and “The Loud Librarian”. It also spawned several spin-offs and films that led many of its cast to have successful careers in television.
While I’m clearly not the target demographic for All That anymore, I’m happy to see that Nickelodeon hasn’t given up on providing original content for children. The network has a rich history of iconic shows from the ’90s that would make excellent entertainment for a modern landscape. Their almost counter-culture approach to idyllic networks such as Disney was a big part of why I became fascinated with them in my own youth.
It’s also just plain great to see that Thompson is still on good terms with the network. He may have faded away for a little bit, but seeing him crop up on SNL struck a happy chord with me. I always knew he was talented enough to make it big, so I hope this new run of All That will introduce us to other stars in the making.
Nickelodeon Is Reviving ‘All That‘ With Kenan Thompson as Executive Producer (EXCLUSIVE) [Variety]
