Shane Gillis Returns to SNL as Host Amid Controversy and Career Resurgence

NEW YORK — Comedian Shane Gillis, whose brief tenure as a Saturday Night Live cast member ended abruptly in 2019, will return to Studio 8H as host on [insert date], marking a pivotal moment in his career. The episode, featuring musical guest Tate McRae, airs at 11:30 PM ET on NBC, with Gillis’s appearance sparking debate over his comedic style and past controversies.

Gillis, 35, was initially hired by SNL in 2019 but was fired days later after resurfaced clips of him using racial slurs and making derogatory remarks drew widespread criticism. Since then, the Pennsylvania native has rebuilt his career through stand-up tours and his popular podcast, Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, which boasts over 500,000 monthly listeners according to Spotify analytics. His return as host—rather than a cast member—signals a redemption arc that has divided audiences.

“Shane represents a brand of comedy that’s unapologetically raw, which resonates with a lot of fans but also clashes with modern sensibilities,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a pop culture analyst at New York University. “His hiring reflects SNL’s attempt to balance edginess with accountability, though not everyone will agree with the choice.”

Gillis’s episode comes amid renewed attention to his political satire, particularly his impersonations of former President Donald Trump. While Gillis has avoided overt political alignment, his stand-up routines often critique bipartisan hypocrisy. “Trump’s just a cartoon president,” Gillis joked during a 2023 comedy special. “He’s like if a fast-food mascot ran the country.”

The episode will also showcase 20-year-old Canadian pop sensation Tate McRae, whose single “Greedy” recently topped Billboard’s Global 200 chart. McRae’s performance marks her SNL debut, aligning with her rapidly ascending music career.

As for the SNL cast, NBC has yet to confirm official 2025 roster changes, but insiders suggest longtime cast members Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang will remain, alongside rising stars like Chloe Troast. The show’s viewership remains steady, with its Season 49 premiere drawing 4.3 million viewers (per Nielsen), a 10% increase from 2022.

Gillis’s hosting gig has reignited discussions about comedy’s boundaries. “Comedy should challenge, but not alienate,” argued SNL alum Julia Sweeney in a recent Variety interview. “The test is whether Shane can evolve while staying true to his voice.”

For Gillis, the episode is both a milestone and a reckoning. “It’s surreal to be back,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m not here to prove anything—just to make people laugh.”

Whether audiences embrace his comeback or not, Gillis’s SNL return underscores the enduring complexity of humor in an increasingly polarized era.