(Rightallegiance.com) – In a candid opening monologue during his first appearance as host on “Saturday Night Live,” comedian Shane Gillis humorously addressed his controversial departure from the show in 2019. With a mixture of humor and humility, Gillis advised the audience, “please don’t Google that,” acknowledging that his past firing from the show might not be familiar to everyone. “Yeah, I’m here,” he remarked, playfully suggesting that his presence might come as a surprise to those unaware of his previous association with SNL. This marked a significant moment for Gillis, who had been let go from the show shortly after his hiring in 2019 due to contentious comments made on a podcast.
In February, Gillis made a return to the spotlight, this time as a host on SNL, showcasing his comedic talents despite the earlier setback. Throughout his monologue, Gillis joked about his unexpected career trajectory, quipping that he was more suited to be a “high school football coach” than standing on the SNL stage. His humor extended to personal anecdotes as well, including a lighthearted comment about having family members with Down syndrome, a remark he quickly clarified with, “It almost got me… I dodged it, but it nicked me.”
Gillis’s comedic style, known for its edge and willingness to tackle personal and sensitive topics, was on full display. He candidly admitted to the audience, “Look, I don’t have any material that can be on TV, all right? I’m trying my best.” This admission, coupled with his observation of the well-lit studio allowing him to see audience reactions, underscored the high stakes and his nervousness about performing on such a prominent platform.
The backstory to Gillis’s SNL saga began when NBC announced his hiring in 2019, only to rescind the offer shortly after due to the emergence of a video clip from a podcast. The clip featured Gillis making derogatory remarks about Chinese people, which led to widespread criticism. “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels cited a failure in the show’s vetting process as the reason for their oversight. The official statement from the show expressed regret for not catching these remarks earlier, deeming the language “offensive, hurtful and unacceptable.”
Despite this controversy, Gillis has continued to make strides in his comedy career, recently announcing a partnership with Bud Light for his 2024 tour. Bud Light’s endorsement, shared alongside a photo of Gillis, signals a new chapter for the comedian, suggesting a rebound from the setbacks of 2019.