Comedian Shane Gillis has addressed the backlash surrounding a controversial joke he made during his recent hosting appearance on Saturday Night Liveexplaining how the incident unfolded behind the scenes.
Gillis hosted the show on October 10, but a remark during his opening monologue quickly sparked criticism from viewers and fellow entertainers.
While discussing women at the gym, the comedian made a joke describing their clothing as “dressing like whores”. The comment triggered a strong reaction, with several people questioning his choice of words.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Gillis revealed that the show’s producers had not asked him to submit his complete monologue for approval before the broadcast.
He explained that although the production team could have intervened, his jokes were not individually reviewed in advance. Gillis also said he had warned the team not to expect a particularly controversial performance, adding that most of his monologue was intended to focus on self-deprecating humour.
Despite those expectations, the remark generated widespread criticism. Gillis suggested that the broader social climate may have contributed to the intensity of the reaction.
Among those who publicly criticised the joke were actor Dan Levy and former SNL cast member Ego Nwodim, adding to the controversy surrounding his appearance.
The comedian’s latest comments offer his perspective on the incident, which became one of the most discussed moments of his hosting stint.