Shane Gillis is set to make a long-awaited return to the “Saturday Night Live” stage, four years after he was fired for racist comments prior to his first episode. The controversial comedian will host the show on February 24, alongside musical guest 21 Savage.
Gillis was initially hired back in 2019, but was let go after a comment he made on “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast” the previous year came to light. The comment featured racist and homophobic slurs, causing a firestorm of controversy. “SNL” spokesperson Lorne Michaels and other executives decided that Gillis wasn’t the right fit for the show.
In response to his firing, Gillis stated, “I’m a comedian who pushes boundaries. I sometimes miss. If you go through my 10 years of comedy, most of it bad, you’re going to find a lot of bad misses.” He also expressed his willingness to personally apologize to anyone who was offended.
Bowen Yang, a prominent Asian American cast member on “SNL” who was hired the same year as Gillis and remains on the show, said he planned to have a conversation with Gillis after the decision was made. It is unclear if this conversation ever took place or how Yang feels about Gillis.
While Gillis hasn’t stopped making controversial jokes over the years, they may not be as inflammatory as his 2018 comments. Nevertheless, his hosting gig has sparked backlash, with many taking to social media to criticize “SNL” for giving Gillis a platform.
It remains to be seen whether Gillis will address his past firing during the upcoming episode. Fans will have to tune in to find out.
