Shane Gillis Sparks Backlash With Gym Monologue on Saturday Night Live
Comedian Shane Gillis drew fierce public criticism during his appearance on Saturday Night Live when he used his opening monologue to mock women’s gym attire, describing those wearing short workout shorts as looking like “whores.” The remarks on the NBC sketch comedy show immediately ignited widespread debate across social media and drew sharp rebukes from fellow public figures, including actor Dan Levy, who stated on Instagram that he was speechless the material aired on live national television.
Gillis delivered the remark after stating, I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dressed like whores now,
marking his third time hosting SNL following appearances in February 2024 and March 2025.
Dan Levy and Critics Condemn the Misogynistic Comments
Dan Levy condemned the broadcast on Instagram, arguing that objectifying women normalizes an environment where they face sexual assault, noting that the issue concerns everyone rather than just women. Kate Manne, a philosophy professor at Cornell University, wrote in her book Down Girl that misogyny functions as a social control tool to maintain gender inequity when women step outside prescribed behavioral roles.
SNL UK Responds With Harsh Criticism on Weekend Update
The British iteration of the sketch show took direct aim at its U.S. counterpart during the Weekend Update segment, as co-anchor Ania Magliano criticized both the booking of Gillis and the strict American broadcast standards. While discussing a Munich Oktoberfest ride operator giving out cycling shorts to prevent upskirt photos, Magliano remarked that the shorts left women vulnerable to something much worse while flashing a photo of Gillis on screen. Seuss sketch. SNL’s current season has featured other guests such as KATSEYE performing Animal
and Hootie Frutti
during their debut, and Turnstile meeting Taylor Swift on the show, which followed musical guest appearances like Rosalía performing Chicken Teriyaki
and La Fama
in March 2022.
History of Controversy Surrounding Shane Gillis and SNL
Gillis has a turbulent history with the NBC program, having been hired as a cast member in 2019 before being fired days later due to resurfaced podcast footage featuring racist, homophobic, and anti-Asian slurs. Despite that initial dismissal, Gillis has since gone on to star in three seasons of the sitcom Tires which he created, and has been invited back to host the show on three different occasions, including in 2024, 2025, and 2026 by producer Lorne Michaels. Gillis also generated discomfort with a stilted appearance on the YouTube interview series Hot Ones and during his 2025 ESPY Awards monologue, where he made remarks about New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, saying: He won six Super Bowls. He’s dating a hot 24-year-old. Maybe if you guys won six Super Bowls, you wouldn’t be sitting next to a fat, ugly dog wife.
Unresolved Questions and Upcoming Broadcast Schedule
The next episode of the U.S. sketch comedy series will not air until 30 October, leaving the question of whether Gillis will face direct acknowledgement or further vitriol on the program entirely open. Gillis has yet to publicly respond to the ongoing backlash from comedians, publications, and fans over his opening remarks. Meanwhile, Michael Che, co-anchor of the U.S. Weekend Update, defended the booking by characterizing the material as a matter of comedic taste, stating: That’s comedy. It’s like, you think it’s funny and some people don’t.
