Emmy-Nominated "SNL" Star Kenan Thompson Hosts 9th Season Premiere Of BYUtv's "Studio C"

"Studio C - Live from NYC" Airs on BYUtv, Mon., Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT

PROVO, Utah, Sept. 6, 2018 -- For the first time ever, viral sensation "Studio C," BYUtv's family-friendly sketch comedy group, conquered New York City with "Studio C - Live from NYC," hosted by "SNL"'s Emmy-nominated Kenan Thompson. "Studio C" will continue in its ninth season with original sketches and returning favorites, starting with a one-hour live-taped television special that will air as the season premiere on BYUtv on Mon., Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT and repeat at 12 a.m. ET/10 p.m. MT. Two filmed back-to-back performances played to sold out crowds at the Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom on Fri., Aug. 24 with all ticket sales proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We can't wait for the world to see what 'Studio C' has in store for this landmark ninth season," said Michael Dunn, managing director of BYUtv. "Kenan Thompson was the perfect host for the premiere event, filmed live in New York City in front of three thousand enthusiastic fans. There was fantastic chemistry between Kenan and the cast, along with a unique appreciation for delivering comedy the entire family can enjoy together."

"Studio C," an original scripted comedy show that reaches a national audience with family-appropriate fun, has over 1 billion views on YouTube. The show plays off of widely relatable topics, offering comic perspective on commonplace scenarios - from ethical dilemmas and quirky relatives to roommate and friendship quandaries, video gaming angst and heartbreak - and weighs in on pop culture. It's a laugh at our own fallible humanity and a nod to the fact that we're not alone in our embarrassing moments. It's irreverent humor that the whole family can enjoy without parents needing to send the kids from the room or cover their eyes and ears.

In addition to its airing on BYUtv, the season nine premiere episode of "Studio C" will live stream on YouTube and will be on all BYUtv platforms (live stream and video on demand), including BYUtv.org, AppleTV, Xbox ONE, Xbox360, Roku, Amazon Fire, iOS and Android. Video on demand will be available on BYUtv.org/StudioC and the BYUtv apps on Sept. 10.

In the premiere, Thompson joins the cast in hilarious sketches and banter. The rest of season nine will also feature viewers' favorite characters from past seasons - such as "Ann the Librarian," "Lobster Bisque" and "Susan Weebers" - along with an assortment of guest stars and material that further builds on the show's foundation of clean but edgy family fun.

Emmy-nominated actor/comedian Kenan Thompson will return this fall for his 16th season on "Saturday Night Live." He has made numerous contributions to the show with his slew of hilarious impressions that include Rev. Al Sharpton, Charles Barkley and Steve Harvey, along with many memorable characters. Thompson made his television debut as a member of Nickelodeon's all-kid sketch comedy series "All That." In 1996, he and his partner Kel Mitchell debuted on a spin-off show, "Kenan and Kel." He has also appeared in such feature films as "Fat Albert," "D2: The Mighty Ducks," "Good Burger," "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle," "Brother Nature," "Heavyweights," "My Boss's Daughter," "Barbershop 2," "Going in Style," "They Came Together" and "Snakes on a Plane."

"Studio C" is part of BYUtv's original programming slate, including "Relative Race," the first family-history based competitive reality show that follows four teams as they meet relatives linked by DNA for the first time in a race throughout the U.S. and "Random Acts," an unscripted hidden-camera reality show that highlights the altruistic nature of human beings by featuring real people who are the recipients of random acts of kindness. BYUtv is available in every state of the country via cable, satellite and multiple digital media platforms.

For a complete listing of BYUtv's programming visit www.byutv.org.

About BYUtv

BYUtv provides families more than 1,700 hours of entertaining and compelling programming they can enjoy together. The network's content is trusted, contemporary and clean, yet clever and sophisticated enough to inspire children and parents alike. BYUtv's diverse portfolio of original, co-produced and acquired content includes scripted and unscripted dramas and comedies, 700+ hours of live HD collegiate sports, game shows, and holiday special made-for-tv movies, docudramas and concerts. BYUtv is available in 50 million homes in every state of the country on DISH Network, DirecTV and 146 other major cable systems. A digital pioneer, BYUtv was the first U.S. television network to stream all of its content live and unencrypted over the Internet. Today, BYUtv has over 1 million YouTube subscribers and 1 billion views and is available live and on-demand on multiple digital platforms free of charge, including Apple TV, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Xbox One, Windows Media, digital apps for iOS and Android and BYUtv.org. Based in Provo, Utah, BYUtv is part of BYU Broadcasting, which is owned by Brigham Young University.