Kenan Thompson Revives Deep Cut SNL Character

Kenan Thompson recently made a surprising return to the Saturday Night Live stage, reviving his obscure recurring character, Jean K Jean. This French stand-up comedian, known for shouting "Zut Alors" after every joke, was a staple on Weekend Update between 2008 and 2013, appearing eight times. The character's reappearance occurred during a sketch on a recent episode hosted by Harry Styles, who, along with Chloe Fineman, fully committed to their comedic roles. The audience's delayed reaction underscored how unexpected the return of Jean K Jean was.

Thompson's long tenure on SNL is notable for his consistent creation of original characters rather than relying on recurring ones. While he has beloved recurring roles, such as Darnell Hayes from "Black Jeopardy" and Diondre Cole in "What Up With That" sketches, his focus has largely been on developing new material. This episode also featured a strong performance from host Harry Styles, who showcased his versatility in various sketches and addressed accusations of queerbaiting.