"Don’t have a problem with it.": Shane Gillis defends his SNL monologue; reveals he assured them there would be no "controversy"

Shane Gillis was the host of SNL Season 52, episode 3, and his monologue included a derogatory sexist slur about women's gym attire that led to him facing a lot of backlash online. Actor and producer Dan Levy spoke out against his comment in an Instagram post. Additionally, actress Inde Navarrette, who was the host of the NBC show for the next episode, took a dig at Gillis for using the slur.

Now, more than a month after his episode aired, Shane Gillis has opened up about the backlash he faced, defended his words, and, in indirect words, clarified that he didn't mean the comment he made.

Shane Gillis on the SNL backlash

In SNL Season 52, episode 3, which aired on October 10, 2026, Shane Gillis, in his monologue, used a derogatory sexist term to describe women who wear short shorts at the gym. Gillis faced a considerable amount of backlash for using the slur and has now addressed the controversy.

Shane Gillis appeared on the November 13, 2026, episode of Joe Rogan Experience, where he talked about what happened before filming for the SNL episode even began. He said:

"The funniest part was, I was going in going — they were like, 'What’s going on with the monologue?' And I was like, 'It’s not great, but I don’t say anything bad.'"

Gillis added that the entire time he spent preparing for the episode, he had told the show and their team that his monologue wasn't going to be that great. However, what he had assured them his monologue wouldn't bring was:

"controversy"

Gillis added that he had told SNL:

"I’m calling myself fat for f*cking 10 minutes. That’s it."

However, there was a controversy, one that raised conversations about s*xual harassment and how we, as a society, need to do better. Addressing why he got the backlash, Gillis said:

"obviously had a lot to do with the climate"

Addressing the slur he used to describe women who wear a certain kind of gym attire, Shane Gillis said he doesn't actually have a problem with the attire in reality. Defending himself and his words, he said:

"Don’t have a problem with it."

Gillis also added that SNL did not give him any feedback regarding the monologue. He pointed out that the show could have stopped him from saying the slur on screen if they found it inappropriate, but they allegedly did not see a problem in it. Gillis said:

"I mean, they could shut it down."

He continued:

"They could, but you don’t write your set and give it to them. Unless you’re not a comedian. I’m sure non-comics, they write the set for them. They have writers that write the monologue for them."

SNL hasn't released any statement regarding Gillis' comment, so we are not sure as to where the show stands regarding the matter. Stay tuned for more updates.

All released episodes of SNL are streaming on Peacock. A new episode of the show will air on NBC on November 14, 2026, at 11:30 pm ET.

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