Comedian Shane Gillis has drawn widespread criticism following his guest-hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live. During his opening monologue, his remarks regarding women’s workout clothing sparked immediate public backlash. Gillis shared observations about visiting a public gym, utilizing disparaging language to describe women’s activewear. This drew swift rebukes from viewers, public figures, and entertainment critics alike.
The controversy centers on a segment of Gillis’s seven-minute monologue in which he discussed returning to a public fitness center. Describing his experience, the 38-year-old comedian joked about how women dress at health clubs, using offensive terminology that quickly lit up social media platforms.
“I haven’t been to the gym in so long. I didn’t know women just dressed like whores now,” Gillis told the studio audience, prompting a mix of gasps and scattered laughter. He continued detailing his observations, pointing to neon-colored shorts and making specific remarks about workout attire before adding cautions about filming and TikTok videos.
Public Outcry and Celebrity Responses
Social media platforms erupted with criticism following the broadcast. Many long-time viewers expressed disappointment in both the material and the network’s decision to feature it. Prominent entertainment figures also took to digital platforms to condemn the remarks.
“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.”
Dan Levy, Emmy-winning actor and filmmaker
In an Instagram video addressing the monologue, Levy expressed shock that such content appeared on live national television, emphasizing that objectification remains a broader societal issue. Other public intellectuals and media critics, including feminist writer Jessica Valenti, argued that the remarks were particularly tone-deaf given broader national conversations surrounding the treatment and safety of women.
Media critics also turned their focus toward the sketch comedy institution itself. Reviewers questioned how the material passed through standard dress rehearsals and network review processes prior to making it to air across multiple time zones.
Additional Monologue Controversies and Live Slip-Ups
The gym attire joke was not the only element of Gillis’s performance to court controversy. Earlier in the monologue, the comedian made self-deprecating remarks comparing his receding hairline to that of Adolf Hitler. This joke similarly drew a mixed response of groans and laughter from the crowd.
Later in the episode, Gillis experienced another viral moment during a sketch parodying Dr. Seuss. He accidentally dropped an unscripted profanity during a live exchange with cast members Mikey Day and Andrew Dismukes. While the expletive slipped past the live broadcast unedited, it was subsequently muted when clips were shared to the program’s official social media accounts. Gillis later offered a brief apology near the conclusion of the broadcast before signing off.
A History of Tension With SNL
The latest uproar arrives against the backdrop of a complicated history between Gillis and the long-running NBC sketch show. In September 2019, Gillis was announced as a newly minted featured cast member, only to be dismissed days later after archival podcast recordings surfaced featuring racist slurs, anti-Asian imitations, and homophobic language.
Despite the abrupt firing, Gillis’s career continued to ascend through successful stand-up specials, independent streaming series such as Netflix’s Tires, and record-breaking ticket sales. He eventually returned to Studio 8H as a host in February 2019, followed by subsequent hosting stints. This marked a striking turnaround orchestrated by show creator Lorne Michaels and network executives.
Representatives for both Saturday Night Live and Shane Gillis have not yet issued public statements addressing the mounting criticism over the weekend monologue.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Shane Gillis make the controversial gym remarks on SNL?
Shane Gillis made the remarks during his opening monologue on Saturday Night Live during his guest-hosting appearance.
What specific words did Shane Gillis use to describe women at the gym?
During his stand-up routine, Gillis used a derogatory term regarding women’s fitness apparel and activewear shorts, which instantly triggered widespread backlash online.
How did celebrities react to the monologue?
Figures such as Emmy-winning actor Dan Levy posted video rebuttals condemning the language as misogynistic, while other media commentators and cultural critics criticized both the comedian and the network for broadcasting the material.
Has Shane Gillis been fired from SNL before?
Yes. Gillis was originally hired as an SNL cast member in 2019 but was fired just days later after past offensive podcast clips surfaced containing racist and homophobic slurs. He later returned as a guest host in subsequent seasons.
Did Gillis face any other issues during his hosting appearance?
In addition to the monologue backlash, Gillis accidentally uttered an explicit curse word during a live sketch with cast members Mikey Day and Andrew Dismukes, which he later briefly apologized for at the end of the show.
