Dan Levy Blasts Shane Gillis' 'Misogynistic' SNL Monologue, Sparking Celebrity Backlash

Dan Levy, star of the acclaimed sitcom "Schitt's Creek," has publicly condemned Shane Gillis' opening monologue on "Saturday Night Live," labeling the comedian's remarks about women's activewear as "misogynistic." The incident has ignited a wave of celebrity support for Levy and widespread criticism from viewers on social media.

During his hosting gig, Gillis, 38, made a joke about women's gym attire, stating, "I haven't been to the gym in so long I didn't know women just dress like w***es now?" Levy, 43, responded to the comment via an Instagram Reel, urging "more men need to be standing up in opposition to it."

"Women wearing short shorts at the gym does not make them w***es. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists," Levy stated. He further argued that such language contributes to an environment where women are objectified and sexualized, emphasizing that this is an issue that concerns everyone, not just women.

"The more that men objectify women in the media, the more that other men see them as objects and treat them as objects," Levy explained. "They are not objects. They are superior human beings to men, OK?"

Levy's stance received immediate support from several notable figures in Hollywood. Actress Elizabeth Banks commented on his video, "Nailed it," while Sophia Bush wrote, "We stan Dan [heart hands emoji] Thank you." Actress Hannah Einbinder also expressed her gratitude with a simple, "Thank you."

Many social media users echoed Levy's sentiments, with numerous complaints surfacing on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). One user described Gillis' joke as "offensive garbage" that promoted "rape culture and misogyny," adding that they would no longer watch the show. Another commenter called Gillis "DISGUSTING MAN" for his remarks.

The timing of Gillis' monologue also drew criticism in light of recent headlines regarding a sexual assault allegation at Cornell University. One user pointed out the problematic nature of such language during a time of heightened awareness around gender-based violence.

Gillis' performance as host was met with mixed reactions beyond the controversial monologue. Some viewers found his overall performance unfunny, with one describing him as "a cloned Louis CK from Temu." Another user stated, "Even if I was racist and sexist, I don’t think I would find this funny."

This is not the first time Gillis has been at the center of controversy with "Saturday Night Live." He was fired from the show as a cast member in 2019 after past videos surfaced containing racist and homophobic remarks. At the time, SNL issued a statement condemning his comments and apologizing for their vetting process. Gillis later expressed respect for the decision made by the show's creators.

During his monologue, Gillis also made a joke comparing his balding hairline to Adolf Hitler's, which elicited gasps and laughter from the audience. He also referenced his use of Joe Rogan's sauna.

Near the end of the broadcast, Gillis accidentally used an expletive during a sketch with cast members Mikey Day and Andrew Dismukes. While the curse word was initially uncensored during the live broadcast, it was muted when the sketch was later posted on SNL's X account. FCC guidelines prohibit airing obscene or profane programming during certain hours, with potential fines or penalties for violations.

Gillis, who previously hosted SNL in 2024, issued a general apology at the end of the show, stating, "And sorry about earlier. Thank you guys very much. I had a good time."

Levy, known for co-creating and starring in "Schitt's Creek" from 2015 to 2020, made Emmy Awards history in 2020, securing four awards for writing, directing, producing, and acting.