Is it too sad for kids because the mom is dead?

Not really. It’s a 'sad-adjacent' comedy. The show focuses on the recovery and the bond between the survivors rather than the tragedy itself. It’s more about 'how do we do this now?' than 'everything is terrible.'

Do I need to know Kenan's SNL work to enjoy this?

Not at all. It stands completely on its own. If you do like his SNL stuff, you'll recognize his timing, but the show isn't reliant on inside jokes or sketches.

Why was it canceled after two seasons?

It was a victim of the standard network TV numbers game. It had a decent following but didn't quite hit the 'blockbuster' status NBC wanted. The good news is the two seasons that exist are self-contained enough to be satisfying.

Are there any inappropriate jokes I should worry about?

It’s very clean. You might get the occasional joke about dating or a mild double entendre that will go over a 9-year-old's head, but it stays strictly within the TV-PG/TV-14 broadcast territory.

The Kenan Show – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Kenan Show

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2021

72%

WISE Score

Kenan Thompson trades SNL sketches for a surprisingly sweet (but slightly generic) sitcom about a widowed dad navigating morning TV and pre-teen daughters.

The Kenan Show

show

TV-PG, 2021

72%

WISE Score

Kenan Thompson trades SNL sketches for a surprisingly sweet (but slightly generic) sitcom about a widowed dad navigating morning TV and pre-teen daughters.

Jump to

Also rated on

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

The Kenan Show is the human equivalent of a warm blanket. It’s not 'prestige TV,' and it didn't reinvent the sitcom wheel before its cancellation after two seasons, but it’s a solid, reliable pick for families who want something more grounded than a Disney Channel laugh-track fest.

Kenan Thompson is the anchor here, and he’s impossible to dislike. If you’re looking for a show that models a healthy (if messy) father-daughter relationship while actually being funny, this is a very safe bet. Just don't expect a deep narrative arc—it's comfort food, plain and simple.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9 and up. While the humor is clean enough for younger kids, the central themes of widowhood and the faster-paced workplace comedy are more likely to land with the upper elementary and middle school crowd.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It handles the heavy topic of widowhood with a light touch, focusing on a supportive (if chaotic) family unit and a dad who is genuinely trying his best.

Imaginative

It's a standard network sitcom. While the 'morning show' backdrop is fun, it doesn't break any new ground in terms of format or storytelling.

Safe

Being an NBC sitcom, it stays well within the lanes of broadcast standards. No gore, nudity, or intense violence—just some mild sitcom-level 'grifter' antics from the grandpa.

Enriching

Good for emotional intelligence. It models how a family can navigate grief and keep moving forward without being overly saccharine.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Kenan Thompson is the ultimate pro; his natural charisma and 'dad energy' make even the standard sitcom tropes feel warm and watchable.
It tackles grief and loss in a way that feels honest but doesn't weigh down the comedy, making it a good bridge for kids dealing with big life changes.
The supporting cast, specifically Don Johnson and Chris Redd, bring a higher level of comedic timing than your average family show.
It’s genuinely co-viewable; adults will catch the workplace humor while kids will relate to the daughters' perspective.

⚠

What to Watch For

Grandpa Rick is a 'grifter' archetype—he’s lovable, but his moral compass is basically a suggestion, which might need a quick 'don't try this at home' talk for literal-minded kids.
The dialogue is fast and occasionally mumbled or rapid-fire; younger kids might lose the plot if they aren't used to the pacing of modern network comedies.

Conversation Starters

"How does Kenan's family help him even when they're being annoying?"
"Why is it hard for Kenan to balance his 'famous' job with being a regular dad?"
"What are some ways the family keeps the memory of the mom alive without being sad all the time?"
"Which character do you think is the most 'responsible' one in the house?"

Deep Dive

The SNL King Goes Suburban

For anyone who has watched Kenan Thompson on Saturday Night Live for the last two decades, seeing him in a lead sitcom role feels like a long-overdue promotion. In The Kenan Show, he plays a version of himself that many parents will recognize: the guy trying to keep it all together while the adults in his life (his brother and father-in-law) act more like children than his actual kids.

What makes this show stand out in a crowded field of family comedies is its refusal to ignore the 'widowed' part of the synopsis. Most sitcoms kill off a parent in the backstory and then never mention it again. Here, the grief is a character in the room. It’s handled with a light touch, but it adds a layer of sincerity that makes the jokes land better.

"While Kenan may not be groundbreaking comedy on its face, it provides much needed emotional comfort and laughs." — Rotten Tomatoes

The chemistry between Kenan and Chris Redd (who plays his brother/manager) is the secret sauce here. Their real-life friendship translates into a shorthand that makes the dialogue feel less scripted and more like a real family bickering. Don Johnson as the father-in-law is also a weird, inspired casting choice that works surprisingly well.

Is it a 'must-watch' in 2026? Maybe not if you're looking for the next big thing. But if you need 22 minutes of something that won't make you cringe or require a content warning, it’s a top-tier choice for the 'what should we watch tonight?' dilemma.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic