Shane Gillis, a stand-up comedian known for his provocative humor, was announced as a new cast member for Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2019, only to be fired from the show before his debut. This controversial firing stemmed from resurfaced clips of Gillis using racist and offensive language on his podcast. This incident sparked a significant debate about comedy, accountability, and cancel culture. Let’s delve into the details of Why Was Shane Gillis Fired From Snl.
The Comedy Clips That Led to the Firing
Just days after the announcement of his casting on SNL, social media erupted with clips from “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” co-hosted by Gillis and comedian Matt McCusker. In one particular episode, Gillis made derogatory remarks and used an anti-Asian slur while discussing Chinatown. He imitated a Chinese accent and used the term “nooders,” a mispronunciation of “noodles,” in a mocking tone.
“Let the f—— ch—- live there,” Gillis stated in the podcast episode.
This clip quickly went viral, triggering widespread outrage and calls for SNL to reconsider their casting decision. Further fueling the controversy, other clips surfaced featuring Gillis using homophobic slurs and making offensive jokes about various groups. The timing was particularly sensitive as Gillis was hired in the same season as Bowen Yang, SNL‘s first Asian American cast member. The irony of this casting juxtaposition was not lost on the public, further intensifying the backlash.
SNL’s Response and Public Outcry
SNL, and its executive producer Lorne Michaels, faced immediate pressure to address the situation. In a statement to NBC News in 2019, a spokesperson for Michaels acknowledged they were unaware of Gillis’s past remarks before hiring him.
“We want SNL to have a variety of voices and points of view within the show, and we hired Shane on the strength of his talent as a comedian and his impressive audition for SNL,” the spokesperson said. “We were not aware of his prior remarks that have surfaced over the past few days. The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable.”
Within days of the controversy erupting, SNL announced that they had fired Shane Gillis from the show. Gillis responded to the firing in a now-deleted tweet, identifying himself as a comedian who “pushes boundaries” and sometimes “misses the mark.” He apologized “to anyone who’s actually offended” and stated he respected SNL‘s decision, understanding it would be a “distraction.”
Aftermath and Gillis’s Perspective
Gillis described the experience of being hired and then fired by SNL as “traumatic” in a 2021 interview with comedian Theo Von. He admitted to having nightmares about the negative press surrounding the incident. Despite the setback, Gillis stood by his comedic style.
“I definitely wouldn’t have changed what we did on our podcast,” Gillis told Von, emphasizing that his podcast humor was integral to his comedic journey. “That’s how I got to New York.”
He acknowledged the shift in comedy standards, stating, “I don’t argue me getting fired because those are today’s rules.” Despite the controversy, Shane Gillis has continued to build a successful comedy career. He self-released a stand-up special on YouTube in 2021 that garnered over 23 million views and secured a Netflix special titled “Beautiful Dogs” in 2023. He has also partnered with brands like Bud Light for his stand-up tours. Interestingly, despite the controversy surrounding his past remarks, SNL announced in February 2024 that Shane Gillis would host an episode of the show, marking a significant turn in the narrative and prompting further discussion about forgiveness and second chances in the public sphere.
In conclusion, Shane Gillis was fired from Saturday Night Live due to the resurfacing of past racist and offensive remarks made on his podcast. These remarks were deemed unacceptable by SNL, leading to his swift dismissal. While the firing was a significant career setback at the time, Gillis has since rebounded, finding success through other comedy platforms and ultimately returning to SNL as a host, showcasing the complexities of public opinion and the evolving landscape of comedy.
