NEW YORK — Fallout from Shane Gillis’ hosting appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has expanded across the Atlantic, drawing on-air mockery from the show’s British counterpart alongside mounting criticism from fellow performers.
Gillis, who hosted the long-running sketch comedy series on Oct. 10, sparked immediate controversy with jokes in his opening monologue concerning women’s attire at fitness centers. Describing workout shorts, Gillis remarked that he had not visited a gym recently and used a derogatory term to characterize how women dress there, Variety reported.
Reactions on ‘SNL UK’ and social media
The transatlantic spinoff “SNL UK” addressed the comments during its “Weekend Update” segment on Saturday night. Co-anchor Ania Magliano cited a news report regarding an Oktoberfest ride operator in Germany distributing cycling shorts to female passengers, The Daily Beast reported. Magliano quipped that while the clothing shielded riders from inappropriate viewing, it left them exposed to Gillis, displaying a photo of his recent American broadcast monologue.
Because the British show airs late in the evening and is not governed by the Federal Communications Commission rules that regulate U.S. broadcast networks, performers faced fewer restrictions on language. Magliano also mocked Gillis for accidentally uttering an expletive during an American sketch based on Dr. Seuss, directing an uncensored insult back at him on air, according to The Daily Beast.
Back in the United States, actor Dan Levy posted a video to Instagram criticizing the monologue and urging more men to speak out against degrading rhetoric. Levy, an Emmy winner who previously hosted the sketch show in 2021, stated that complacency toward misogynistic language fosters unsafe environments for women. Performers including Elizabeth Banks and Barrett Wilbert Weed voiced agreement in responses to Levy’s post, Variety reported.
Castmates respond to the controversy
Current “Saturday Night Live” cast member Michael Che addressed the situation on Oct. 15 during an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show to discuss his Netflix stand-up release, “Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota.”
When questioned by anchor Laura Jarrett about the monologue, Che observed that comedy often produces divided reactions. He explained that he was focused on rehearsing his own cue cards before the broadcast and had not seen Gillis deliver the opener live. Che likened the reaction to the unpredictable nature of live humor, remarking on the program that he has also missed the mark during his own segments, TODAY.com reported.
Following his television appearance, Che posted a follow-up statement on the social media platform Threads addressing the interview. Che wrote that he did not laugh at the monologue, adding that his attention during broadcasts remains focused on his own segment responsibilities, Deadline reported.
A complicated tenure at NBC
The episode marked Gillis’ third time hosting the program, following earlier appearances in February 2024 and March 2025. The stand-up comic was originally hired as a featured cast member in 2019 but was dismissed days later after past recordings surfaced containing slurs and offensive language, Variety reported.
Comedian Ego Nwodim has also offered criticism of the monologue alongside Levy, according to TODAY.com. Representatives for Gillis and “Saturday Night Live” have not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the remarks.
