Will Ferrell Recalls Hilarious Cut SNL Sketch with Shaquille O’Neal

Comedian Will Ferrell shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about a never-aired Saturday Night Live sketch featuring NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal during a recent appearance on the ‘New Heights‘ podcast. Ferrell, 57, joined hosts Jason and Travis Kelce on January 10, 2025, to discuss his experiences with athletes on SNL and his enduring friendship with O’Neal.

Ferrell recalled a 1998 episode where O’Neal, then a guest, stole the show with his natural comedic timing. ‘He destroyed,’ Ferrell said, describing how O’Neal’s performance was so strong that one of his sketches was cut to avoid overshadowing the main host. The sketch in question featured O’Neal cradling Ferrell in his arms while singing a duet titled ‘No One’s Gonna Hurt My Little Man.’ Despite its humor, the sketch was ultimately dropped from the episode.

‘Shaq was so funny and natural,’ Ferrell added. ‘He had a funnier show than the host.’ The sketch, however, later resurfaced online, delighting fans of both the comedian and the basketball star.

Ferrell also reminisced about a 2013 prank where he dressed as a Staples Center security guard and ‘escorted’ O’Neal out of a Lakers game. ‘I had friends who gave me a Staples security guard outfit, and I snuck it into the building,’ Ferrell explained. O’Neal, sitting courtside, played along, and the two shared a laugh afterward. ‘Shaq was like, ‘Are you kidding me? That is so funny,” Ferrell recalled.

The comedian, who was a cast member on SNL from 1995 to 2002, praised the show’s enduring legacy. ‘It was the one thing I always dreamed about being a part of,’ he said. ‘It’s kind of enormous to think about in a way, 50 years of what has really defined American comedy.’

Ferrell’s stories highlight the unique blend of sports and comedy that has made SNL a cultural institution. His anecdotes about O’Neal, in particular, underscore the basketball star’s unexpected comedic talent and their enduring friendship.