Shane Gillis faces backlash after describing women at the gym as “whores” on SNL
Shane Gillis delivered a monologue as host of Saturday Night Live on October 13, 2026, in which he said he had not been to a gym in years and described women’s workout clothing as looking “like whores.” The comment was made live from the NBC studios in New York City and was met with immediate backlash.
The remark has become a flashpoint in ongoing discussions about gender, comedy and the responsibilities of public figures. Critics argue the joke objectified women and reinforced sexist stereotypes, while some defenders claim it reflects a comedian’s right to push boundaries.
Dan Levy, the “Schitt’s Creek” star, posted on Instagram that Gillis’s comment made him “speechless” and labeled the humor “misogynistic.” Jenna Bush Hager echoed the sentiment on the “Today” show, saying the joke was not acceptable and expressing personal disgust at the language. Kathy Griffin described Gillis as a “hack,” adding that his remarks reminded her of a broader cultural pattern that treats women as objects.
Gillis’s former girlfriend, Grace Brassel, turned the controversy into a series of Instagram posts. She shared a video captioned “Full body workout for hoes” and later posted a gym selfie with the title “fitcheck!” The posts were widely shared and added a personal dimension to the public debate.
Other SNL alumni also weighed in. Michael Che, co‑anchor of “Weekend Update,” brushed off the criticism on the “Today” interview, calling the reaction “just comedy” and noting that humor is not meant to please everyone. Meanwhile, the Hollywood Reporter described the monologue as “ill‑fated” and highlighted the swift condemnation from multiple media outlets.
Fox News reported that the backlash has been framed by some as part of a larger “woke” cultural clash, with commentators suggesting the incident is being used to fuel political narratives ahead of upcoming midterm elections. Regardless of the political angle, the core issue remains the acceptability of jokes that target women’s appearance.
As of now, Gillis has not issued a public response, and NBC has declined to comment on the matter. The conversation continues on social media and across news platforms, underscoring the delicate balance comedians face between artistic expression and social responsibility.
