Keenan Thompson, the star of the Nickelodeon sitcom Keenan & Kenan and now a featured player on Saturday Night Live (SNL), works with his idol, Bill Cosby, in the upcoming Fat Albert movie. Twenty-six year old Thompson's screen debut was a role in D2: The Mighty Ducks, and he recently appeared in Love Don't Cost a Thing and Barbershop 2: Back in Business. However, Thompson feels his newest film is his most challenging project yet.In the early 70s, Bill Cosby created a television series, Fat Albert, that depicted his childhood experiences in Philadelphia. This famous cartoon show starred Cosby in live-action sequences and as the voice of Fat Albert. The cartoon followed a group of black youths and how they handled issues such as drug addiction, gang violence and family problems. Fat Albert ran on CBS from 1972 to 1984. Cosby also wrote the script for the film version of Fat Albert and wanted to cast an unknown actor in the title role. After a laborious search for the right actor to play Fat Albert, Cosby and director Joel Zwick offered the role to Thompson.

"Cosby is here to bring joy to the world," explained Thompson, who holds the senior comic in high regard. Thompson was flattered to work with Cosby and described his experience as "surreal." He joked, "I saw him yesterday and still didn't believe it [was him]...he's [Cosby] the first comic I identify with...my first laugh on SNL had to be a Cosby thing."

Thompson is enthusiastic about his experience with the SNL cast. "We all get along well," he explained, yet feels "the only weakness [in the cast] is that we have so many breaks [between live tapings]." SNL is watched by millions at home each week, and has a sizeable studio audience. The show is made up of improvisational skits, written by the actors themselves. Thompson views SNL as a major boost to his career. "The SNL step alone is a like a Harvard [acceptance] step, especially in New York."

The comedy field is constantly shifting, effected by current social and political issues. Prominent African American comedians today include Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock and Steve Harvey. Thompson respects their work and wants to "bridge a gap" between cleaner comics, like Cosby, and the more shocking Chapelle. Thompson explains, "I love Dave Chapelle [and] and I know that Fat Albert is a clean thing, and I wouldn't want to tarnish it, but I want to be free to do what I want."

He dislikes it when "people are divided...over curse words" which are used frequently by Chapelle and observes that "people miss the point [of comedy]...education [through comedy] is important...that's the message that needs to get out."

Thompson hopes that in his work he can create a balance between Chapelle's shocking performances and Cosby's more family-oriented comedy in order to educate the public about controversial issues.

Thompson's goal is to have fun with his work. He is satisfied with his latest film and believes "it was time for Fat Albert," implying this too was an asset to his career. He feels Fat Albert is "a positive type of character who has so much love" and working with Cosby was an unforgettable experience. Thompson muses, " [Cosby] told me I was a blessing to him, so I made a new friend," communicating his feelings of excitement and luck at the opportunity to work with his hero.