Keke Palmer & Kai Cenat Bringing Back '106 & Park'? Not So Fast

kai cenat in black suit , keke palmer in black dress and up-ddo

Photo by Frazer Harrison/ Noam Galai/Getty Images

Rumors can spread fast, which is why fact-checking is always important. The latest buzz? Some people believed that Keke Palmer and Kai Cenat were bringing back the iconic BET show, 106 & Park.

But let’s take a step back. This rumor started on April Fool’s Day—already a reason to be skeptical—and since then, there’s been no confirmation. In fact, some reports have already debunked it.

Fans on Reddit also weighed in on the rumor. One person shared, “Yeah, nah. 106 & Park wasn’t the same without AJ & Free. Which is why they kept changing hosts.” Another responded to the original post, saying, “I wish this was real but NOPE! They said they were joking.”

106 & Park first hit the airwaves in 2000, quickly becoming the ultimate after-school hangout for anyone into R&B and hip-hop. The show not only captured the transition between musical eras but also held down the fort for Black culture until it signed off in 2014, moving to an online-only format. Before the final curtain, AJ Calloway and Free stepped down after five years, leaving the stage to other hosts like Terrence J and Rocsi, as well as Bow Wow and Keisha Chanté, before the show eventually ended.

For me, some standout moments were watching what turned out to be singer Aaliyah’s final televised interview and Michelle Williams’s infamous stage stumble.

In 2022, AJ and Free reunited to celebrate 22 years of the show and teased a possible reboot. AJ took to Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the show that made him and Free household names. “22 years ago today a show was born out of a little studio on the corner of 106 and Park Ave in NYC,” he wrote alongside a throwback pic of the duo on set. “We had no idea that it would have the global impact that it did. We were green in the television industry just trying to figure it out but at the same time always being fans of the culture!”

At one point, AJ hinted at a potential comeback, sharing his love for Free and asking, “Free, I got mad love for you and I know our story isn’t over. You ready? I think the culture needs a little more love again!”

Free amped up the reboot talk by replying to her former co-host. “AJ, good morning and Happy ‘106’ anniversary day,” she posted. “Somehow you continue to be the coolest, most charismatic guy I know who knows everybody lol. Love you deep, and hell yeah we got more work to do. Let’s go!”

She wrapped up her message with a tantalizing “See you on set.”

I’d be thrilled to catch AJ and Free back together for just one more epic 106 & Park moment. Fans are already rallying with petitions to bring the whole show back completely.

Kayla MorganEditor

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.