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Jost's Accidental Comedy: The Scared Straight Sketch Origin
11 Jun
Summary
- Kenan Thompson revealed Colin Jost's office-mate status.
- Jost was unaware of Scared Straight before the sketch.
- The sketch debuted in 2008 and was performed eight times.
The popular recurring "Scared Straight" sketch on Saturday Night Live originated unexpectedly. Kenan Thompson, the show's longest-tenured cast member, shared that he and writer Colin Jost were office mates for eight years. During this time, Thompson introduced Jost to the concept of Scared Straight, a program where convicts confront juvenile delinquents, which Jost had never encountered.
The sketch, which debuted on May 10, 2008, during an episode hosted by Shia LaBeouf, became a significant hit. Thompson's character, Lorenzo McIntosh, delivered memorable, humor-filled explanations of various scenarios, often referencing 1980s movies. The sketch was performed eight times between its debut and 2012.
Its enduring popularity led to a special performance on SNL50, the show's 50th anniversary special, in February 2025. This anniversary featured former SNL stars Will Ferrell and Eddie Murphy joining Thompson. Jost, who joined SNL as a writer in 2005, later became a co-anchor of "Weekend Update" in 2014.
