Comedian Shane Gillis Makes Controversial Return on “Saturday Night Live”
Gillis Acknowledges Controversial Past on SNL Return
Comedian Shane Gillis made a controversial return as the host of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) on the most recent episode. Gillis began his monologue by directly addressing the previous controversy surrounding his firing from the show. Despite asking the audience not to look it up, Gillis’ dismissal from SNL in 2019, due to the emergence of clips featuring him using racial slurs and making derogatory comments, cannot be ignored.
Gillis’ Rise in the Comedy Scene
Since then, Gillis has forged his path in the comedy world. His podcast, “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast,” has amassed over 80,000 paid listeners on Patreon. The controversial comedian has released two comedy specials, embarked on nationwide tours, and has even collaborated with Bud Light in a recent endeavor.
Gillis’ Controversial Comeback
While on the SNL stage, Gillis requested the audience to leave his controversial comments in the past. However, his new material continued to explore controversial topics and push boundaries. Gillis joked about his childhood, referencing his close relationship with his mother and infusing humor related to homosexuality. He further discussed topics like individuals with Down syndrome and directed racially charged remarks regarding mental disabilities.
Noteworthy Skits and Impersonations
Gillis took on the lead role in various skits throughout the SNL episode. One memorable sketch featured a trailer for the fictional movie “White Men Can Trump.” Gillis engaged in a comedic impersonation of former President Donald Trump, juxtaposed against James Austin Johnson’s renowned portrayal. This skit showcased Gillis donning golden Trump sneakers and capturing the ex-president’s bombastic demeanor, delivering outlandish statements.
Gillis’ Trump Impersonation
During the Trump impersonation skit, Gillis, impersonating President Trump, dismissed his glaring basketball miss by asserting, “I didn’t miss; it went in.” Johnson, portraying the actual Trump character, commended Gillis, indicating that the true magic lied within him. Gillis, in response, humorously attributed the source of his success to the sneakers, critiquing and rebuffing Johnson’s rude and foolish demeanor.
