SNL Comedian Shane Gillis to Host Upcoming Episode After Past Controversy
SNL Had Previously Fired Gillis Over Offensive Jokes
Comedian Shane Gillis, who was previously hired and swiftly released by “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) over past controversial remarks, is set to return to the show as its host on Feb. 24. The announcement left fans and critics both intrigued and bewildered.
Revisiting Gillis’ Controversial Remarks
In 2019, shortly after being added to the SNL cast, Gillis faced backlash when controversial podcast clips from 2018 surfaced. The clips featured the comedian making racial slurs against Chinese people, as well as using homophobic and sexist language. SNL creator Lorne Michaels swiftly reacted, calling Gillis’ remarks “offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable,” resulting in Gillis’ dismissal from the show.
Backlash and Reflection
The incident sparked a debate over the boundaries of comedy and the impact of “cancel culture.” Many questioned whether there should be limits to comedy and who should have a platform as influential as SNL.
Gillis’ Response
Initially, Gillis defended himself, stating he was a comedian who occasionally pushes boundaries but expressed a willingness to apologize to those genuinely offended. However, he later acknowledged that his presence on SNL would have become a distraction and respected the show’s decision.
Recent Successes Increasing Gillis’ Profile
Since parting ways with SNL, Gillis has experienced a series of successes. In 2021, he self-funded a stand-up comedy special called “Live in Austin,” which gained immense popularity on YouTube, with over 23 million views. Last year, he released his second stand-up special, “Beautiful Dogs,” on Netflix. Currently, Gillis is embarking on a 14-city tour across the United States.
Gillis’ Approach to Comedy
Kelefa Sanneh of The New Yorker profiled Gillis, describing him as an unpredictable comedian who values strong audience reactions. While some comedians faced with backlash focused on making jokes about their situations, Gillis intentionally steered away from that approach. He emphasized that he wanted to be known as a comedian, not a victim, and intended to continue making “wild” statements.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The news of Gillis’ return to SNL generated mixed responses on social media. Supporters of the comedian celebrated his comeback, while others criticized the SNL producers, particularly citing the ill-timed elevation of Gillis, accused of racial insensitivity, during Black History Month. Some social media users also called out the show for featuring Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who made a controversial comment about slavery, in a recent skit.
Abby Ohlheiser and Elahe Izadi contributed to this report.
