Michael Che addresses backlash over Shane Gillis' SNL monologue

SNL anchor Michael Che said he was preparing for questions about Shane Gillis’ recent monologue on the show, which included a joke describing women at the gym in derogatory terms. Che posted on Instagram that he expected “every fucking question” to focus on the incident while promoting his new Netflix special, Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota.

When asked on the Today show about the controversy, Che responded, > “That’s comedy. It’s like, you think it’s funny and some people don’t.” He added that he had not seen Gillis’ joke until the following day because he was focused on his own cue cards.

Che also noted that he prefers to address concerns directly with the person involved rather than through media appearances, saying, > “When I have a problem with someone I address them in person… I’m not gonna drag someone on the Today show, when I can just text them. It’s a courtesy that’s been extended to me in the past, and I like to pay that forward.”

Other public figures reacted to Gillis’ remarks. Dan Levy, co-creator and star of Schitt’s Creek, wrote on Instagram that describing women’s gym attire as “whores” is misogynistic and called for more men to speak out against such language.

The incident highlights ongoing debates within comedy about the line between humor and offensive content.