Dan Levy has publicly criticized stand-up comedian Shane Gillis following his latest hosting appearance on "Saturday Night Live." The Emmy-winning actor and writer spoke out against jokes made during Gillis' opening monologue, urging more men in the entertainment industry and beyond to actively challenge misogynistic commentary broadcast on major platforms.
Controversy Surrounding Shane Gillis' Monologue
Gillis, who hosted the long-running late-night sketch comedy show over the weekend, sparked widespread backlash due to jokes directed at women's athletic attire. During his stand-up set at the beginning of the broadcast, Gillis commented on how women dress at the gym, using explicit language to describe workout clothing.
Shane Gillis 'Saturday Night Live' Appearance History
| Timeline | Role / Event | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Hired and Fired | Cast as featured player; dismissed days later over past podcast remarks |
| February 2024 | Guest Host | First return to the show following his 2019 departure |
| March 2025 | Guest Host | Second hosting stint |
| October 2026 | Guest Host | Third hosting appearance; featured controversial monologue remarks |
In his routine, Gillis stated, "I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dress like whores now?" He went on to describe form-fitting, colorful shorts in detail, telling the audience, "Look, I’m sorry, there’s no other way to describe [it]." In addition to the monologue remarks, Gillis also uttered an expletive on air, dropping the f-bomb during his live hosting duties.
Dan Levy Speaks Out on Social Media
The comments quickly drew a response from Levy, who took to Instagram on Sunday evening to express his disbelief via a video reel. The "Schitt's Creek" creator and former "SNL" host directly rejected Gillis' framing of female gym-goers.
"Women wearing short shorts at the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists," Levy said in his video response. He pointed out the double standard regarding attire, observing that he has seen "more men's nipples at the gym than I've ever seen women showing their bodies off."
Levy expressed shock that such commentary was permitted on network television, calling on other men to vocalize their opposition rather than remaining passive bystanders.
"I'm speechless that something like that can exist on live national television," Levy stated. "And to be perfectly honest, more men need to be standing up in opposition to it because it's complacency that has created the environment in which women are sexually assaulted and it's a 'conversation' as opposed to a 'crime.'"
Levy concluded his message by underscoring the broader impact of public objectification, emphasizing that "this is not a women's issue, this is an everybody issue." He added that when men objectify women in mainstream media, it leads to broader societal harm.
Industry Reactions and Gillis' History With the Sketch Show
Levy's post quickly garnered support across the entertainment community. Film director and actor Elizabeth Banks responded in the comments section with "Nailed it," while Broadway performer Barrett Wilbert Weed shared a supportive message writing, "I love you, Dan."
The episode marks another controversial chapter in Gillis' long, complicated timeline with "Saturday Night Live." The comedian was initially hired as a featured player for the NBC series back in 2019, only to be dismissed days later when past podcast recordings surfaced showing him making racist and homophobic remarks.
Despite his firing, Gillis returned to the Studio 8H stage as a guest host in February 2024 and again in March 2025. His recent weekend appearance marked his third stint hosting the program. As the backlash unfolded, representatives for both "Saturday Night Live" and Gillis did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the monologue or the broadcast language.
Source: Variety
Post a Comment