Kathy Griffin calls Shane Gillis a hack after controversial SNL monologue

Kathy Griffin, 65, publicly called Shane Gillis a “hack” on Tuesday, Oct. 14, after his opening monologue on Saturday’s Saturday Night Live episode drew widespread criticism.

Griffin, known for her outspoken persona, also jabbed that Gillis “looks like he can’t get laid.” She told Page Six she “defends his right to say it, and I also defend everyone else’s right to think less of him,” while emphasizing her support for the First Amendment.

Gillis’s monologue featured a controversial line in which he said women at the gym “dress like whores,” followed by a description of neon shorts and a warning that men should not look because they might end up in TikTok backgrounds. The joke prompted groans from the studio audience and ignited an online backlash.

Other celebrities weighed in, with Dan Levy posting on Instagram that calling women “whores” is misogynistic and that short gym shorts do not justify such language. SNL alum Ego Nwodim also criticized the routine. Gillis’s rep did not respond to requests for comment.

The episode marks another flashpoint in Gillis’s career. He was originally cast on SNL in 2019 but was dismissed a week later after resurfaced podcast clips revealed racist and homophobic slurs. His return to the show and the ensuing controversy revive the broader conversation about the limits of comedy, cancel culture, and the responsibilities of public figures.

Griffin, who is currently on tour, said she believes comedians must evolve with the times, even if it means abandoning language they once used. She added that many “hacks” from TikTok or podcast circles sound alike and rely on outdated jokes about women. The next episode of SNL is slated for next week, and the network has not issued a statement regarding the controversy.