Comedian Shane Gillis is facing severe backlash from entertainers, public figures, and former Saturday Night Live cast members following controversial remarks he made about women during his October 10 monologue on the NBC sketch comedy show. During his opening set, Gillis joked about women’s workout attire, describing them as dressing like “whores” and making specific comments about the fit and color of their gym shorts.
The remarks immediately sparked a widespread firestorm across social media and Hollywood, drawing sharp rebukes from high-profile personalities who condemned the language as misogynistic and damaging to broader cultural conversations surrounding women’s safety and public objectification.
Celebrity Condemnations and Social Media Backlash
Among the first to publicly criticize the monologue was Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy, who published an emotional video response on Instagram. Levy argued that women wearing athletic wear do not deserve derogatory labels, and asserted that men objectifying women in the media contributes directly to an unsafe societal environment.
“Women wearing short shorts to the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists, there’s a difference there,” Levy said in his video.
Levy’s post quickly garnered widespread digital support, receiving public likes and endorsements from a long list of major Hollywood figures, including Florence Pugh, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, and Lily James. Pugh also shared an extended message on her Instagram stories highlighting how reducing women to s*xual objects reinforces attitudes that fuel cultural degradation.
Comedian and actress Kathy Griffin did not hold back either, labeling Gillis a “hack” during an October 14 interview with Page Six, while drawing comparisons to podcast and digital-culture figures who rely on outdated jokes about women.
Other public figures joined the chorus of disapproval. Actress Martha Plimpton criticized both the content of the routine and the behind-the-scenes decision-making process at Saturday Night Live. Meanwhile, daytime television hosts also weighed in. Jenna Bush Hager spoke out on the Today show, emphasizing that commenting on women’s bodies perpetuates toxic cultural norms, and country music star Maren Morris posted a sarcastic video response captioned “me being a wh0re at the gym.”
Reactions From Current and Former SNL Cast Members
The controversy also prompted direct responses from individuals familiar with Studio 8H. Former SNL cast members Ego Nwodim and Cecily Strong used social media to mock Gillis’s routine directly. Nwodim posted a gym selfie with the caption “wh**e reporting for duty” alongside a follow-up image of her post-workout protein meal. Strong shared a photo of her workout footwear on her Instagram Stories, writing that she was on her way to Pilates in her “new slutty orange shoes.”
Current Weekend Update anchor Michael Che also addressed the fallout publicly while doing press for his Netflix special, expressing frustration over how the viral controversy would dominate his interview cycle. Meanwhile, neither NBC nor representatives for Saturday Night Live have issued an official public statement regarding the monologue.
Context Surrounding Gillis’s History With SNL
This latest controversy adds another chapter to Gillis’s history with the sketch series. Gillis was originally hired as a featured cast member for SNL in 2019, but was fired just five days later after past racist and homophobic remarks surfaced online. He has since returned to host the show multiple times, each appearance generating substantial debate among viewers and television critics regarding the boundaries of late-night comedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shane Gillis say during his SNL monologue?
Shane Gillis made jokes about women’s gym wear during his October 10 opening monologue, claiming that women “just dress like whores now” and commenting on the style and color of their workout shorts.
Which celebrities criticized Shane Gillis’s remarks?
A wide range of celebrities spoke out against the monologue, including Dan Levy, Kathy Griffin, Martha Plimpton, Jenna Bush Hager, and Maren Morris. A-listers such as Jennifer Aniston, Florence Pugh, and Reese Witherspoon also showed support for public condemnations.
How did former SNL cast members respond?
Former SNL cast members Ego Nwodim and Cecily Strong posted sarcastic tributes on social media mocking the phrasing used in the monologue while wearing their own gym and Pilates attire.
Have NBC or SNL addressed the backlash?
As of mid-October, neither NBC nor the producers of Saturday Night Live have publicly addressed the controversy or issued an official statement.
What is Shane Gillis’s prior history with SNL?
Gillis was initially hired as an SNL cast member in 2019 but was dismissed five days later following the discovery of past offensive remarks. He has since returned to host the program on multiple occasions.
