Shane Gillis Whore Joke on SNL Stirs Backlash
- Funny
- Offensive
October 12th, 2026 – Comedian Shane Gillis is facing renewed criticism following his October 10 appearance on Saturday Night Live, after a joke about women wearing revealing clothing at the gym prompted accusations of misogyny and drew a sharp response from actor Dan Levy.
During his opening monologue, Gillis joked about women wearing short shorts while exercising, referring to them as “whores.” The remarks quickly became a flashpoint, with critics arguing that the comedian crossed the line between provocative humor and degrading women.
Levy, best known for creating and starring in Schitt’s Creek, responded in an Instagram video condemning the routine. He argued that labeling women based on their clothing contributes to a broader culture of misogyny and objectification.
Levy also urged men to speak out against such language, suggesting that jokes normalizing disrespect toward women can have consequences beyond entertainment.
His criticism attracted support from several prominent entertainers, including Elizabeth Banks, Sophia Bush and comedian Phoebe Robinson, who characterized Gillis’ material as lazy and misogynistic.
The controversy is particularly notable given Gillis’ complicated history with Saturday Night Live.
In 2019, Gillis was announced as a new cast member but was fired before appearing on the program after recordings resurfaced featuring racist and homophobic remarks. Despite that setback, his comedy career flourished, leading to successful stand-up specials, a popular podcast and multiple opportunities to host the NBC sketch series.
Saturday’s appearance marked his third time hosting the show, underscoring how dramatically his relationship with the program has changed.
The episode generated another controversy when Gillis accidentally uttered the F-word during a Dr. Seuss-inspired sketch. He subsequently apologized for the live television slip during the show’s closing moments.
The latest backlash has reignited a familiar debate surrounding Gillis and contemporary stand-up comedy: whether deliberately offensive jokes should be defended as artistic expression or criticized for reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
For Gillis’ supporters, provocative humor is central to his comedic identity. Critics, however, argue that describing women in derogatory terms perpetuates attitudes that deserve scrutiny, particularly on a nationally televised platform.
While the controversy may do little to diminish Gillis’ popularity among his established audience, it raises fresh questions about the boundaries of mainstream comedy and the responsibilities of performers whose jokes reach millions of viewers.