Azzam Bilal Chamdy
More than three decades after they first bounded onto the national stage on Nickelodeon’s sketch comedy staple All That, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell remain pop culture’s most enduring comedy duo. Their chemistry, forged in the fires of 1990s television, has evolved from a childhood friendship into a sophisticated professional enterprise. Now, with the launch of their mobile game Orange Pop! and a slate of upcoming film and print projects, the pair is proving that their brand is not merely a nostalgic relic, but a living, breathing creative powerhouse.
During an exclusive sit-down at the Den of Geek studio in Manhattan, the duo reflected on their journey—from the set of Good Burger to the digital age—and why their latest ventures are designed to push the boundaries of what fans expect from the "Kenan and Kel" universe.
The Main Facts: Orange Pop! and the Digital Pivot
The centerpiece of the duo’s current expansion is Orange Pop!, a mobile puzzle adventure that serves as a vibrant, neon-soaked love letter to their shared history. Produced by Thompson’s independent studio, Artists for Artists—which he co-founded with John Ryan Jr.—the game is a strategic pivot into the interactive entertainment space.
Orange Pop! is far more than a simple licensed product. Featuring original voice work from both Thompson and Mitchell, the game integrates the duo’s signature improvisational humor into a classic "match-three" mechanics framework. Players navigate a world heavily inspired by the iconic orange soda obsession that defined Mitchell’s character in their self-titled series, Kenan & Kel.
“It’s a classic three-match game, and when you get a bunch of good matches, there is an orange soda in there that explodes and knocks out everything,” Mitchell explains with palpable enthusiasm. “That is really fun; I love the orange soda.”
For Thompson, the game represents the philosophy behind his studio: “Cool kids sitting on a couch again, that’s what this is.” By blending a 90s-inspired aesthetic with modern, high-fidelity gaming sensibilities, the duo has crafted an experience that feels both familiar to long-time fans and accessible to a new generation of mobile gamers.
A Chronology of Collaboration: From All That to Good Burger 2
To understand the weight of this new chapter, one must appreciate the trajectory of their partnership. The duo’s ascent began in 1994, when they were cast as original members of Nickelodeon’s All That. Their undeniable rapport led to the hit sitcom Kenan & Kel (1996–2000), cementing their status as the faces of a generation.
However, the path to the present was not a straight line. Following the conclusion of their show, the two pursued diverging paths. Thompson eventually became a cornerstone of Saturday Night Live, where he currently holds the record as the longest-tenured cast member in the show’s history. Mitchell continued his work in television and voice acting, while also pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
For nearly two decades, the creative duo remained largely apart, much to the chagrin of their fanbase. The turning point arrived in 2023 with the release of Good Burger 2. The film served as a triumphant reunion, acting as a catalyst for a renewed, permanent creative partnership. The duo is no longer just a pair of actors; they are now business partners, producers, and architects of their own multimedia empire.
Supporting Data: Philanthropy as a Brand Pillar
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the Orange Pop! launch is the duo’s commitment to social impact. In an era where celebrity-backed products are often criticized for their lack of substance, Thompson and Mitchell are embedding philanthropy directly into the game’s success metrics.
In a bold move, Thompson and Mitchell have pledged to donate $1 for every download during the first 100,000 installs of Orange Pop!, effectively committing $100,000 to charitable causes. Furthermore, their developer, Staple Games, has committed an additional $1 per download during the game’s first 24 hours of availability.
The beneficiaries highlight the duo’s personal values:
- The National College Resources Foundation: A primary recipient for Mitchell, specifically for their work in providing scholarships and resources for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- The Kenan Thompson Family Foundation: Thompson’s personal vehicle for community outreach, which supports a variety of initiatives, including the Cristian Rivera Foundation and Ralphie’s Rescues.
“The goal is to shine a light on other foundations that may need a platform like mine,” Thompson notes. By leveraging the reach of their mobile game, the duo is ensuring that their brand expansion translates into tangible community support.
Official Responses and Future Ventures
The diversification of the Kenan and Kel brand is moving at a rapid pace. Beyond mobile gaming, the duo is setting their sights on the horror-comedy genre. In January, they announced Kenan & Kel Meet Frankenstein, a film project currently in development via Artists for Artists and Range Media Partners.
The film, which is slated to begin production this summer, is being framed as an homage to the classic "Abbott and Costello" style of monster-comedy. “We are getting in that lane,” Mitchell says. “It’s going to be great because when a lot of people hear it, they thought it was like Kenan & Kel the TV show, but this is going to be very different. Kind of like Get Out meets Shaun of the Dead.”
Thompson adds that the project allows for creative freedom, noting, “Frankenstein is a hot boy these days… We feel that the concept is definitely a version we can execute without a lot of interference, as the monsters are public domain.”
Additionally, the duo is entering the comic book market with Kenan & Kel Meet Zombies (a working title), published by Range Comics. The story promises a genre-bending adventure where the pair must fend off undead entities in the Old West. Rounding out their upcoming portfolio is a lifestyle collection currently in development with acclaimed designer Sean Wotherspoon, signaling their intention to move into the fashion and lifestyle space.
Implications: The Power of Synergy
The implications of this "Kenan and Kel" renaissance are profound for the landscape of celebrity branding. By choosing to control their intellectual property through Artists for Artists, the duo is demonstrating that legacy acts can successfully transition into the modern digital economy without sacrificing their authenticity.
Their longevity is grounded in a deep, mutual respect and a shared cultural framework. “Similar upbringing, a lot of characteristics in our family are very similar,” Thompson reflects. “Chicago and Atlanta are two very loyal hometown-y kinds of towns.”
Mitchell concludes with the sentiment that has defined their career from the beginning: “We got the sauce, man. We just like to have a good time. We make each other laugh. That’s a big part of it.”
As they look toward the horizon, the duo’s strategy is clear: keep the audience guessing, support the communities that supported them, and never lose the sense of joy that brought them together in the first place. Whether they are navigating a mobile puzzle game or fighting off cinematic zombies, Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell have proven that they are here to stay—and they have plenty more in the tank.
Orange Pop! is available now for download on iOS and Android via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Ammar Sabilarrohman
Lina Hope
