Comedian Shane Gillis took the spotlight as the host of Saturday Night Live during the weekend, using his opening monologue to tackle the controversy surrounding his departure from the show in 2019.
With a dose of self-awareness, the 36-year-old comedian acknowledged his past, saying, “I’m here… Most of you probably don’t know who I am. I was actually fired from this show a while ago. But, you know, don’t bother looking it up, please. If you’re not familiar with me, please don’t Google it. It’s all good. Don’t worry about it.”
Throughout his nearly eight-minute monologue, Gillis mixed humor with various topics, including family dynamics and personal anecdotes, showcasing his unique comedic style. He playfully joked about his sister’s marriage to an Arab man from Egypt and their adoption of three Black children, likening visits to their home to a “crazy Uber Pool.”
Gillis ventured into more controversial territory with jokes about family members with Down syndrome, remarking on their seemingly carefree outlook on life. However, not all of his jokes resonated as intended, resulting in some awkward moments and lukewarm audience reactions.
Viewers watching at home had mixed feelings about Gillis’ performance, with some finding it cringe-worthy and opting to switch channels. Others expressed curiosity about hearing Gillis’ monologue without the laughter track.
Gillis’ stint on SNL was short-lived, as he was fired just five days after being hired in 2019. Despite this setback, he has continued to pursue his comedic career, gaining traction through Netflix specials and appearances on podcasts like “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
In returning to the SNL stage, Gillis didn’t shy away from addressing his controversial past, using his platform to confront the issues head-on while infusing his distinct humor into the mix.
