Comedian Shane Gillis returned to Saturday Night Live (SNL) nearly four and a half years after his controversial exit from the sketch comedy show. Gillis hosted the February 24, 2024 episode of the show and performed the show’s trademark host’s monologue. However, Gillis’ jokes were poorly received by the audience in the show and at home.
As a result, Gillis’ return became equally polarizing as his exit, as fans took to social media to bash the comedian. While most fans found Gillis’ monologue cringe-inducing, there have been other similar moments in the past that were arguably more appalling to the fans. Here is why fans were appalled by Gillis’ jokes and other SNL moments that were probably even more cringe.
Shane Gillis’ Monologue Generates Crickets as Fans Shame Comedian on SNL Return
Comedian Shane Gillis joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a featured member in 2019. However, just a few days later Gillis was fired from the show after controversial clips from his podcast surfaced online. After nearly four and a half years, Gillis was invited back to the show as a host for season 49, episode 12.
During the episode, Gillis performed a monologue that reportedly received a poor response from the studio audience. Viewers took to social media to criticize SNL‘s decision to allow Gillis to host the show. Here is what viewers said about Gillis’ monologue on X.
He's not the slightest bit funny
— Lynne🤓⚖️☮️🇺🇲🇺🇦🌻 (@HQReality) February 25, 2024
Shane Gillis might be the first person in history to be fired while doing an SNL monologue
— Franklin (@franklinisbored) February 25, 2024
2019: Shame on you, SNL.
2024: Shane on you, SNL.
— MVRDER (@MURDER_WITH_A_V) February 25, 2024
Please do better, SNL.
— Amy Lynch (@mostlymidwestrn) February 25, 2024
This man is garbage! Could’ve found someone else instead. There’s a very good reason he was fired. He sucks!
— Andy Hedden (@HeddenAndy517) February 25, 2024
As the tweets suggest, netizens found Gillis and his overall performance on the show appalling. Moreover, many X users felt Gillis defending his jokes in front of the audience was extremely cringe and criticized the comedian. However, some defended Gillis and pointed out he was simply nervous.
Beyond Shane Gillis’ Monologue, 6 Cringe SNL Moments That Appalled Everyone
Although fans were generally unhappy with Shane Gillis and his SNL performance, this wasn’t the first time the show had managed to offend fans. While the show consistently walks a tightrope with its jokes, sometimes performers have crossed the line, leading to some truly cringe-worthy or problematic moments. Here are some of the top ones:
6. Samuel L. Jackson Drops the F-Bomb
Actor Samuel L. Jackson is known for delivering some profane dialog on-screen. However, when Jackson appeared on SNL in 2012, he dropped the F-bomb to everyone’s surprise. Jackson was a part of Kenan Thompson’s What’s Up With That sketch where the latter often interrupts celebrity guests. The frustration from Thompson’s interruptions forced Jackson to drop the F-bomb, shocking the primetime audience who did not expect such profanity from SNL.
5. Jimmy Fallon Impersonates Chris Rock
Jimmy Fallon might be known for his family-friendly image now but during his SNL days, he wasn’t immune to controversies. In 2000, Fallon impersonated comedian Chris Rock during a sketch. Fallon showed up dressed in full Blackface, sparking controversy. However, Fallon later apologized in a tweet in 2020. Nonetheless, such type of humor has always made the audience uncomfortable, as was the case with Fallon’s Blackface incident.
4. Katy Perry’s Bon Appetit Performance
Katy Perry might be one of the best-selling artists of the 21st century but even she managed to appall SNL viewers. In 2017, Perry appeared on the show and performed her new song Bon Appetit. However, Perry delivered an unconvincing and uncoordinated dance routine. Perry appeared confused and zoned out while performing with featured artist Migos, resulting in one of the show’s cringiest moments.
3. Bill Hader’s Down Syndrome Joke
Shane Gillis’ monologue featured a Down syndrome joke that left the audience stunned. However, Bill Hader made a similarly insensitive joke about serious conditions during a skit performed with Rainn Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, and Will Forte in 2007. While the skit in itself was not very offensive, the Down syndrome joke reportedly received major backlash even back in the day, proving that some stuff never flies with SNL viewers, irrespective of the context.
2. Donald Trump as Host
In 2015, Donald Trump was still a Presidential candidate when he hosted an episode of the show. However, Trump’s politics created a problem for the show as the decision to have him host received major backlash. Nonetheless, SNL went ahead with the episode, resulting in one of the least liked and most despised episodes of the show. Thankfully, SNL redeemed itself by joking about Trump ever since.
1. Kanye West’s Political Rant
If there is one person you can always count on to make people uncomfortable, it is Kanye West. Even before his controversial statements derailed his musical career, West was a divisive figure. SNL viewers got a glimpse of the same in 2016 when West followed his musical performance on the show with a political rant in favor of Trump. While the moment did not make it on-air, the studio audience was left jarred and appalled by West’s sudden rant.
