Shane Gillis faces backlash over SNL monologue comment about women in gym shorts
Comedian Shane Gillis was criticized by actor Dan Levy and several musicians after a joke in his Saturday Night Live monologue likened women in short gym shorts to "whores," prompting a debate over misogyny in comedy.
Comedian Shane Gillis drew criticism after his Saturday Night Live monologue included a remark that women wearing short shorts at the gym were "whores." Actor Dan Levy posted an Instagram video denouncing the comment, saying that such language labels men as misogynists rather than women.
Levy’s video attracted supportive reactions from musicians, including Jewel, Kristin Chenoweth and Lisa Loeb, who posted appreciative emojis. Maggie Baird, mother of Billie Eilish, shared Levy’s video with a caption expressing shock at the joke and recalling a previous controversial monologue by Bill Burr on the same show.
Flavor Flav amplified Levy’s response on X, describing it as "important allyship." Country singer Maren Morris also weighed in on Instagram, posting a video set to her own song and urging the removal of the "gym short" joke.
Gillis, who hosted the episode with musical guest Rosalía, previously appeared briefly as a cast member before being dismissed after earlier homophobic and racist jokes resurfaced.