Shane Gillis’s brief stint at Saturday Night Live (SNL) ended before it began due to resurfaced racist and homophobic remarks. Hired in 2019, he was swiftly fired after a video clip of him using an anti-Asian slur and imitating a Chinese accent on his podcast, “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” went viral. This incident, coupled with other instances of offensive language online, led to widespread criticism and his ultimate dismissal from the show.
The Controversy and SNL’s Response
Gillis’s firing came days after he was announced as a new cast member for SNL’s 45th season. The incriminating podcast episode featured Gillis and co-host Matt McCusker making derogatory comments about Chinatown, with Gillis using a racial slur and mocking a Chinese accent. The timing was particularly sensitive as SNL had also just hired Bowen Yang, its first Asian American cast member.
An SNL spokesperson stated that Gillis was hired based on his comedic talent and audition, and that the show was unaware of his past remarks. They condemned his language as “offensive, hurtful and unacceptable.” NBC, the network airing SNL, is a division of NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.
Gillis’s Apology and Subsequent Career
Gillis issued an apology on Twitter (now X), since deleted, calling himself a “comedian who pushes boundaries” who sometimes misses the mark. He acknowledged the distraction his presence would cause and respected SNL’s decision.
Despite the setback, Gillis continued his comedy career, releasing a successful stand-up special on YouTube in 2021 with over 23 million views. He also secured a Netflix special titled “Beautiful Dogs” and partnered with Bud Light for a stand-up tour.
Reflections on the Firing and Comedic Boundaries
In a 2021 interview with comedian Theo Von, Gillis described the SNL experience as “traumatic,” admitting to having nightmares about negative press. However, he defended his comedic style, stating he wouldn’t change his podcast material and acknowledging he likely would have been fired for other jokes he had told. He accepted the firing as aligning with “today’s rules” of comedy.
Continued Controversy and Critical Reception
Gillis has faced criticism for homophobic jokes as well. While he claims to avoid homophobic slurs on stage, instances of their use have been documented, including on “The Joe Rogan Experience” and in his Netflix special. One joke in particular, suggesting a “gayer army” is “scarier,” garnered attention from some conservatives online.
Gillis’s comedy often satirizes American patriotism and cultural divides. He has been described as a complex figure, both “dumb and smart, cocky and self-mocking, homophobic but relentlessly self-aware,” by a New York Times comedy critic. Despite appealing to some conservatives, Gillis has denied being a “conservative guy,” citing his audition joke about former President Trump’s death as evidence.
Gillis declined to comment to NBC News for this article.
