Shane Gillis's SNL Monologue Sparks Backlash for Alleged Misogyny
Social media users criticized comedian Shane Gillis's jokes during his Saturday Night Live hosting debut, with some calling his humor misogynistic.
Shane Gillis faced backlash on social media following his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live, with viewers criticizing his monologue jokes as misogynistic. The 38-year-old comedian's observations about women's activewear drew particular ire.
During his monologue, Gillis commented on women's gym attire, stating, "I haven't been to the gym in so long I didn't know women just dress like w****s now?" The remark elicited gasps from some audience members, alongside scattered laughter.
He continued his observation, describing the activewear as "neon, like, artificial vape-colored [shorts], and the wrinkles go around the cheeks and all combine at the butthole." He added, "Don't look! You’re not allowed to look," joking that attendees were not permitted to look because he was likely being filmed for TikToks.
Online reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were swift, with one user calling the jokes "offensive garbage" that promoted "rape culture and misogyny." Another commenter stated, "DISGUSTING MAN you got there calling women w****s on live TV... never have him in that show again." A user also linked Gillis's comments to recent headlines about an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University, calling the language "problematic" and "not one bit funny."
Other viewers also critiqued Gillis's overall performance, with some describing him as "a cloned Louis CK from Temu" and "one of the least funny people pretending to be a comedian."
Gillis also accidentally used profanity during a Dr. Seuss-themed sketch, saying, "He said I don't like green eggs and ham. Bro, it's a non-starter. He said he doesn't f***ing," before pausing and apologizing. The expletive was initially uncensored during the live broadcast but was later muted when the sketch was posted online by SNL.
His hosting appearance marked a return to the show after he was fired as a cast member in 2019 due to past remarks that resurfaced, which were described as racist and homophobic. At the time, SNL issued a statement condemning his remarks as "offensive, hurtful and unacceptable" and apologizing for their "vetting process."
Gillis previously addressed his dismissal when he first hosted in 2024, telling the audience, "I was actually - I was fired from this show. Awhile ago. But, you know. Don't look that up, please."
SNL creator Lorne Michaels later commented on the decision to let Gillis go, telling The Wall Street Journal that the situation was "very strong from the people in charge" and that he "understood it."