On Your Feet! Now Sit Down! Kenan Thompson Is Back Behind Bars—And He’s Bringing Backup
Kenan Thompson brought back one of his most beloved Saturday Night Live characters, Lorenzo “Mac Attack” McIntosh, for a long-awaited revival of the “Scared Straight” sketch during SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special. And this time, he wasn’t alone. Joining him in the prison intervention were comedy heavyweights Eddie Murphy as “All the Way” Ray May and Will Ferrell as Big Red—marking a truly legendary lineup for the milestone episode.
A Nostalgic Return with a Star-Studded Twist
Fans who have been waiting for a new “Scared Straight” moment since the last one aired in 2012 were in for a treat. The recurring sketch, originally inspired by the 1978 documentary of the same name, once featured Thompson’s over-the-top inmate character attempting to scare straight a group of juvenile delinquents (previously played by Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan, and various guest hosts). This time, the fresh batch of at-risk teens—played by Marcello Hernández, Mikey Day, and Michael Longfellow—were led through the program by returning officer Jason Sudeikis.
From the jump, Thompson’s signature intensity and physicality were on full display, quickly setting up what would become one of the night’s standout moments. But this time, the gang of inmates had some wildly off-base stories to share.
From Harry Potter to The Nutty Professor—And Even Elf
True to tradition, Thompson’s Lorenzo told a chilling (and entirely fictitious) backstory—this time, hilariously lifted straight from Harry Potter. Meanwhile, Eddie Murphy’s “All the Way” Ray May took a nostalgic detour into The Nutty Professor, delivering his iconic “Hercules! Hercules!” chant from the 1996 comedy classic. Then, just when it seemed the sketch couldn’t get any funnier, Will Ferrell arrived in his all-too-familiar short shorts (a nod to his infamous “Short Shorts for the USA” sketch), playing an inmate named Big Red. His tragic tale? Lifted straight from Elf.
The meta humor was pitch-perfect, and the audience—both in the studio and at home—erupted with laughter. And if that wasn’t enough, the sketch even provided the night’s only bleep-worthy moment: Murphy walking directly up to the camera and dropping an emphatic “motherf—er.”
The Legacy of ‘Scared Straight’
Since its debut on May 10, 2008 (with host Shia LaBeouf), the “Scared Straight” series recurred eight times between 2008 and 2012. Some of its most iconic iterations featured hosts like Paul Rudd, Taylor Swift, Charles Barkley, and Lindsay Lohan. However, the most legendary version may be the 2010 sketch with Betty White playing Lorenzo’s no-nonsense grandmother Loretta, who famously roughed up Bill Hader while ripping her entire backstory from The Wizard of Oz.
For longtime SNL fans, Sunday’s sketch was a hilarious return to form—filled with nostalgia, unexpected twists, and the kind of comedic chemistry that only legends like Thompson, Murphy, and Ferrell can deliver.
SNL50: A Night to Remember
The 50th Anniversary special was a star-studded affair, featuring appearances from some of the biggest names in SNL history. The show, which holds the record for the most Emmy wins of any program (101 and counting), continues to prove why it’s the gold standard of late-night comedy. And with sketches like this “Scared Straight” revival, it’s clear that even after five decades, SNL still knows how to bring the laughs.
For those who missed it, the full sketch is available to watch online—and trust us, it’s worth it. With a perfect mix of classic SNL absurdity, legendary cameos, and unscripted hilarity, this “Scared Straight” revival just might be one of the most unforgettable moments in SNL history.
