Kathy Griffin Criticizes Shane Gillis' SNL Monologue and Comedy Style

Comedian Kathy Griffin said she considers Shane Gillis a "hack" and criticized a group of male comedians she said "all look like they can't get laid" and repeat similar jokes about women. Griffin defended Gillis' right to make offensive jokes, stating, "I think as a comic I'm always going to fight for the First Amendment and his right to say it and yet I don't have to like it." She added that she also defends others' right to think less of him.

Griffin said many successful comedians now emerge from platforms such as TikTok and podcasts, citing Joe Rogan as an influence. She described the comedians as sounding alike and delivering jokes that reflect outdated attitudes toward women.

Gillis' opening monologue on Saturday Night Live targeted female gym-goers' shorts, describing them in vulgar terms and using an uncensored expletive later in the show. He was previously hired by SNL in 2019 but was dismissed after past podcast clips containing racist and homophobic slurs resurfaced.

Other celebrities, including SNL alum Ego Nwodim and actor Dan Levy, condemned Gillis' remarks, noting that calling women "whores" is misogynistic. Griffin said she does not consider herself "woke" and emphasized that comedians should evolve with the times, acknowledging she has used language she now finds horrifying and is working to change.