Kenan Thompson and Whoopi Goldberg shared a lighthearted moment on The View after Goldberg mistakenly mispronounced Ariana Grande’s name, echoing the infamous John Travolta name mispronunciation at the 2014 Oscars. The playful exchange unfolded recently on the ABC talk show, highlighting their ongoing comedic chemistry.
Whoopi’s On-Air Slip and Kenan’s Quick Wit
The View opened Kenan Thompson’s segment with a clip from his recent Saturday Night Live Christmas episode skit featuring Ariana Grande. In an excited attempt to introduce Thompson, who had just appeared on stage, Goldberg inadvertently mangled Grande’s name, saying, “Adriana Grande,” which quickly drew corrections and laughter from her co-hosts.
That was the great Kenan Thompson stealing the show on the pre-Christmast Saturday Night Live with Adriana Grande,
Goldberg said, triggering amusement on set.
Ariana! My God, you know, I just want Kenan to come out, so come on out, Kenan!
she added as she invited Thompson onstage.
This slip reminded many viewers of the notorious moment when John Travolta mispronounced Frozen singer Idina Menzel’s name as “Adele Dazeem” at the 2014 Academy Awards, creating a memorable pop culture blunder.
Kenan’s Family Fans of Wicked
During his appearance, Kenan Thompson shared how his family, including his daughters Georgia, 10, and Gianna, 7, recently became engrossed in the Wicked phenomenon after watching both the movie adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu and the Broadway production. Thompson revealed how they immersed themselves in the craze, collecting various merchandise.
I just got thrust into the Wicked world all at once and we saw the second movie, and we bought all the commemorative popcorn buckets,
Thompson mentioned.
I don’t know if you saw this or not, but there was a bucket for Adriana and there was a bucket for Cynthia [Erivo].
His mention of “Adriana” playfully referenced Goldberg’s earlier mispronunciation, which drew laughter from the live audience.
The History Between Thompson and Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg and Kenan Thompson have a longstanding connection, particularly through their work on Saturday Night Live and The View. Thompson famously impersonated Goldberg multiple times on SNL, often in sketches parodying The View. When Leslie Jones, who succeeded Thompson in portraying Goldberg on SNL, appeared on The View in 2025, Goldberg reflected on the experience.
She humorously described seeing both Thompson and Jones portraying her as “like looking at myself twice.” Leslie Jones responded to this by stating,
He loved it, he loved it! He actually loved playing you.
Goldberg expressed how pleased she was that women eventually took over portraying the female hosts on SNL, contrasting it with the earlier period when male cast members handled those roles.
Because for the longest time, it was all these guys playing us,
Goldberg shared, to which co-host Joy Behar chimed in,
You and me, you and me. We were played by guys.
Context and Broadcast Details
The View continues to air on weekdays at 11 a.m. Eastern / 10 a.m. Central on ABC, maintaining a blend of topical interviews, commentary, and entertainment. Thompson’s segment highlighted both his comedic talents and his family’s enthusiasm for theatrical productions like Wicked, while also showcasing Goldberg’s humor amid a slip-up reminiscent of a famous Hollywood moment.
This playful banter not only entertained viewers but underscored the chemistry between the longtime performers, illustrating how unexpected mispronunciations, such as the John Travolta name mispronunciation, continue to provide memorable moments in entertainment.
