While Shane Gillis’ latest “Saturday Night Live” monologue has ignited fierce backlash from liberal critics, two former cast members praised his remarks without reservation.
Gillis described public gyms in New York City as a “nightmare,” filled with the “hottest gay guys you’ve ever seen,” and added he didn’t realize women now dress like “whores” at the gym. Actor Dan Levy countered by urging more men to challenge such remarks to prevent normalizing misogyny.
Victoria Jackson, a former “SNL” cast member from 1986 to 1992, called the monologue “good,” stating: “Shane looks skinny/handsome! He’s right about gym girls dressing like ‘whores.’ When did ‘camel toe’ become acceptable gym fashion and grocery shopping attire?”
Jeff Richards, who appeared on the sketch show from 2001 to 2004, labeled Gillis a “really funny guy, obvious natural.”
Travis Kelce, NFL star and husband of Taylor Swift, drew online condemnation after liking a social media post featuring Gillis’ monologue. Singer Maren Morris shared a video of herself giving the camera the middle finger with the caption: “me being a wh0re at the gym.” Maggie Baird, mother of Billie Eilish and an activist, said she “literally gasped” over Gillis’ jokes.
Additional figures in the backlash included “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth, singer Jewel, and rapper Flavor Flav, who called it “important allyship” to stand against the monologue. Current “SNL” cast member Michael Che remarked on Instagram that every question he fields while promoting his new comedy special will likely be about Gillis: “Gotta do more press this week to promote the special … wonder what every f—ing questions gonna be about.”
Gillis generated further controversy by accidentally dropping an F-bomb during a Dr. Seuss sketch, though NBC insiders reported he won’t be banned for the slip-up. Unaired footage also showed him walking off during the show’s final credits—a departure from the tradition of cast members lingering onstage after goodnights.
Saturday marked Gillis’ third hosting gig on “SNL” since being fired in 2019, following revelations that a social media user uncovered jokes he made about Chinese immigrants and gay people on his comedy podcast earlier that year.
