Comedian Shane Gillis apologizes after on-air profanity and faces criticism for gym-wear comments on SNL
Shane Gillis issued an apology for using profanity during a live sketch on Saturday Night Live, while his earlier remarks about women at the gym have drawn extensive criticism on social media.
Comedian Shane Gillis apologized to the studio audience after he unintentionally uttered a profanity during a Dr. Seuss-themed sketch on Saturday Night Live. The slip, which occurred as he warned a co-star not to "f***ing" eat green eggs and ham, was not censored in the live broadcast but was removed from online clips. Gillis concluded the show by saying, "Sorry about earlier," before the musical guest Rosalia performed.
The incident has been eclipsed by a larger controversy stemming from Gillis's opening monologue, in which he described women who wear gym attire as "whores." The comment prompted immediate jeering from the audience and a wave of negative reactions on social media platforms. Viewers criticized the remark as offensive and inappropriate.
Gillis's history with the program includes a 2019 dismissal after past podcast recordings containing homophobic and racist jokes resurfaced. Following that episode, he issued a statement apologizing to anyone he had offended, saying, "If you go through my 10 years of comedy, most of it bad, you're going to find a lot of bad misses. I'm happy to apologize to anyone who's actually offended by anything I've said. My intention is never to hurt anyone, but I am trying to be the best comedian I can be, and sometimes that requires risks."
The Independent has sought further comment from Gillis regarding the recent remarks.