Shane Gillis’ Controversial Return to SNL: A Night of Mixed Reactions
Shane Gillis’ second hosting gig on Saturday Night Live (SNL) was a highly anticipated event, not just because of his comedic talent, but also due to the baggage of his controversial past. In 2019, Gillis was briefly a cast member on SNL but was fired after racist and homophobic slurs from his podcast resurfaced. Despite this setback, he rebooted his career, becoming a successful stand-up comedian with a Netflix deal and even landing a Bud Light ad campaign. His first hosting stint on SNL last year was met with a mix of awkwardness and contrition, but this time around, Gillis seemed more confident—though not entirely embraced by the audience.
From the moment he stepped onto the stage, it was clear that Gillis knew the crowd might not be entirely on his side. Instead of shying away from the tension, he leaned into it, opening his monologue with politically neutral jokes that poked fun at both President Joe Biden’s age and Donald Trump’s outlandish ideas, like trying to annex Greenland. He even acknowledged the audience’s likely liberal leanings, saying, “You guys are pretty liberal,” before diving into a joke that would become the most talked-about moment of the night. “Now I’m going to lose you even more,” he warned, setting the stage for a questionable bit about white guys and their tendencies.
The Joke That Missed the Mark
Gillis’ monologue took a turn when he broached the subject of white men asking their girlfriends if they’ve ever had sex with a Black man. He prefaced the joke by acknowledging its inherent racism, which he claimed to understand. “It is racist,” he said, almost as if to preemptively defend himself against criticism. He then recounted a story about a girlfriend who once found his friend “Jamal” handsome, leading him to ask the infamous question. Her response? “Ew, no.” Gillis joked that he replied, “Jesus Christ, what are you, racist?”
The punchline was meant to absolve Gillis by framing him as the lesser of two evils—a man who asked a racist question but was outdone by an even more racist response. However, the joke fell flat. Comedy is subjective, but this particular bit felt forced and unfunny, relying on a tired trope that didn’t land with the audience. It was an attempt at self-deprecation, but it came off as insincere and alienating, particularly for viewers who might already be wary of his history.
Gillis’ monologue didn’t get much better from there. In a misguided attempt to relate to the audience, he riffed on Ken Burns’ The Civil War documentary, claiming it’s “kryptonite to women” and even throwing in a tasteless reference to Bill Cosby, implying that the documentary could be used to sedate women—evoking the disgraced comedian’s history of sexual assault allegations. The joke was crass, lazy, and left many in the audience cringing. It was clear that Gillis was playing a character—the boorish, conservative-leaning white dude—but the humor was so narrow that it only resonated with a niche audience, leaving everyone else out in the cold.
A Redemption Arc in Sketches
While Gillis’ stand-up monologue was a misfire, his performance in the night’s sketches offered a glimpse of what could have been if he had stayed on as a full-time cast member. In the parody ad “CouplaBeers,” he played a disaffected suburban office worker who treats his anxiety and depression with a “medication” that’s just a couple of beers. The sketch was a clever takedown of both the pharmaceutical industry’s over-the-top ads and the toxic masculinity that often accompanies self-destructive habits. Gillis’ deadpan delivery and relatable everyman persona made the character work, and the sketch landed well with the audience.
Another highlight was his role in “Mid-Day News 2,” a reprisal of a sketch from Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s 2019 SNL appearance. In this bit, Ego Nwodim and Kenan Thompson played Black news anchors who gleefully reported on crimes, celebrating when the alleged perpetrators turned out to be white. Gillis and Heidi Gardner joined in as white anchors who turned the reports into a “game,” racking up points based on the suspects’ race. The premise was sharper with Gillis than it was with Waller-Bridge, partly because of his own history and partly because the sketch doubled as a biting commentary on racial bias in media. By allowing the writers to guide the narrative, Gillis finally earned some genuine laughs and showcased his potential as a comedic actor.
The Weight of His Past
Gillis’ performance on SNL was undeniably colored by his history. In 2019, his brief tenure as a cast member ended abruptly when his offensive remarks surfaced, making him a lightning rod for criticism. While he’s since built a successful stand-up career, his return to SNL felt like an attempt to rewrite his narrative—one that didn’t entirely convince. His monologue’s questionable jokes only reinforced the perception that he’s still grappling with how to navigate his past mistakes.
Yet, the sketches offered a different story. When Gillis stepped into a fictional character, he was able to distance himself from his real-life persona and deliver moments of genuine humor. It was a reminder that comedy is often most effective when it’s not just about the individual but about the collective experience. By playing a character rather than himself, Gillis was able to tap into a broader appeal, even if only fleetingly.
A Night of Ups and Downs
In the end, Gillis’ second hosting gig was a mixed bag. His stand-up monologue was a misstep, relying on outdated and offensive humor that alienated much of the audience. It was a stark reminder that comedy is a delicate balance of risk and reward, and sometimes, even the edgiest jokes fall flat when they’re not paired with genuine cleverness or self-awareness.
On the other hand, the sketches showcased Gillis’ potential as a comedic performer. When he allowed the writers to guide the narrative and stepped into character, he delivered moments that were both funny and incisive. It was a bittersweet reminder of what could have been if he had remained a cast member—a path that might have allowed him to grow as a performer and as a person.
As the night came to a close, it was hard not to feel ambivalent about Gillis’ return. While his monologue was a stumbling block, his sketches hinted at a brighter future—one where he could use his talents to tell stories that resonate with a wider audience. For now, it’s clear that Shane Gillis is still figuring out who he is, both on and off stage.
