Michael Che Dismisses Backlash to Shane Gillis' 'SNL' Monologue as 'Comedy'

Michael Che, co-anchor of "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live," has shrugged off the controversy surrounding recent monologue jokes made by fellow SNL host Shane Gillis. When asked about the backlash during an appearance on the "Today" show, Che stated, "that's comedy."

Gillis, hosting SNL for the third time, faced criticism for jokes made during his opening monologue. The comedian quipped about women's workout attire, using a phrase that drew ire from some viewers and public figures. Following the broadcast, Che appeared to mock the ensuing controversy on social media, posting, "Gotta do more press this week to promote the special. Wonder what every f------ questions gonna be about. Thanks a lot shane."

Che, who was promoting his new Netflix comedy special "Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota," acknowledged the attention his post received. He explained his perspective on the situation, saying, "It’s like, you think it’s funny, and then some people don’t." He admitted he hadn't seen Gillis' monologue when it first aired, as he was focused on his own work preparing cue cards. By the time he saw it, Che said he "didn’t think about it, honestly."

He attributed his lack of strong reaction to his own experiences on "Weekend Update," where he and co-anchor Colin Jost have also navigated controversial material. "That’s why I can’t criticize anybody for swinging and missing, because I’ve definitely swung and missed, too," Che commented. "I try to keep that heat off of me."

Che also mentioned the demanding nature of working on SNL, noting, "There’s so much going on. It’s really hard to see what everyone is doing, especially for me. I’m not what they call ‘good at my job,’ so I don’t pay attention to that."

Gillis' representative declined to comment on the matter. NBC was also reached for comment. Comedian Tim Young supported Che's stance, telling Fox News Digital that the backlash against Gillis was indicative of "attention-seeking behavior" rather than genuine offense. Young added that both Che and Gillis are successful comedians who will not be "canceled because a certain group of people don’t like something they say."