Gillis Defends SNL Monologue on Rogan Podcast
The comedian addressed backlash over his joke about women's gym attire after Dan Levy and other SNL alumni criticized it.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Women’s Clothing
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Shane Gillis addressed the controversy over a joke about women's gym attire from his Saturday Night Live opening monologue during a new episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. Gillis said SNL did not approve the monologue and that he had told the crew it was a C-minus with no controversy in it.
Why it matters
The exchange highlights ongoing debate over comedy, sexism claims and network content standards, with public criticism coming from former SNL cast members and the show's own U.K. account. Gillis's remarks about the outcry being tied to the current climate reflect how comedians and critics are framing the dispute for audiences across the country.
Gillis's monologue included the line that women dress like whores now, and he said he had not been to the gym. He also said he deleted all of his social media content immediately after the controversy, and it is not stated how many posts were removed.
The players
Shane Gillis
A stand-up comedian whose career has included a firing from SNL and a Guinness World Record for comedy ticket sales.
Saturday Night Live
The long-running NBC sketch comedy series that aired Gillis's monologue and has featured him as a host.
Dan Levy
An actor and writer known for Schitt's Creek who publicly called Gillis a misogynist over the monologue.
The Joe Rogan Experience
A widely downloaded podcast hosted by Joe Rogan where Gillis addressed the controversy in a new episode.
The details
Gillis said during his SNL opening monologue that women dress like whores now and that SNL did not approve the material. Dan Levy posted an Instagram video calling Gillis a misogynist, while Cecily Strong and Ego Nowdim mocked the comments, and SNL U.K. called the comedian a stupid derogatory term.
Timeline
2019: Gillis was fired from SNL before his planned cast debut for using slurs and offensive language on his podcast.
July: Gillis broke a Guinness World Record for most tickets sold for a comedy show by a solo comedian.
October 10: Gillis exited SNL hosting, and he has since hosted the show a third time.
November 13, 2026: Gillis addressed the controversy on The Joe Rogan Experience.
Season Trajectory
The controversy follows Gillis's 2019 firing from SNL before his planned cast debut over slurs on his podcast, and his later return as a host marks a shift in how the network has engaged with him. Gillis's three hosting appearances since then suggest the show has continued to book him despite that history.
Viewers who follow SNL and comedy podcasts may see how Gillis's hosting appearances and podcast content are presented going forward. Readers who discuss this debate on social media should note that Gillis deleted his social media content immediately after the controversy, which could make earlier posts harder to find.
The takeaway
Public reactions to comedy often depend on context, network approval and a performer's history, so checking the full source of a controversy before forming a view can help readers judge the claims on their merits. Gillis's own description of his monologue as a C-minus with no controversy shows that opinions on the material vary widely.
Further reading
For more on how fashion and clothing trends are covered across the country, explore our Women's Clothing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Beast.
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