Title: The Controversial Comedian Shane Gillis and the Normalization of Offensive Humor: A Deep Dive into His Contentious Past
Editor’s Note: Dean Obeidallah, a former attorney and host of SiriusXM radio’s daily program “The Dean Obeidallah Show,” shares his perspectives on the issues discussed below. This commentary reflects his own views, not necessarily those of CNN or its affiliates.
The recent hosting stint by comedian Shane Gillis on Saturday Night Live (SNL) has sparked considerable controversy and debate, with critics questioning the famed TV sketch show’s decision to provide a platform for an individual with a well-documented history of making racially and ethnically insensitive comments.
Gillis, now 36 years old, has gained notoriety for his offensive jokes and insensitive remarks towards various communities, including Blacks, Asians, Jews, the LGBTQ+ community, and others. His past transgressions led to his dismissal from SNL in 2019 before he even made his debut on the show, following the revelation of racist comments about Asians he had made on his podcast in the previous year.
Despite the controversy surrounding his past conduct, Gillis appears to have shown no signs of change. In an interview with fellow podcaster Theo Von in 2021, he expressed no regrets about the ethnic slurs that cost him his SNL opportunity. “I definitely wouldn’t have changed what we did, our podcast,” he stated unequivocally.
Post-SNL dismissal, Gillis has continued to engage in comedy that some perceive as “cringe humor,” while others deem it bigotry. As Vox reported in 2021, Gillis has persisted in using his comedy to make openly derogatory statements towards marginalized groups, including racist, anti-trans, anti-gay, and arguably white supremacist comments.
A Los Angeles Times article from the previous week documented a series of offensive remarks made by Gillis on his podcast between 2018 and 2019. One instance involved a tasteless quip regarding homophobic individuals, which he used to attack other minorities instead of addressing the stereotype.
TMZ published additional examples of Gillis’s past podcast bigotry shortly after the announcement that he would be hosting SNL, revealing instances where he had used the N-word, a homophobic slur, and an anti-Semitic remark.
In years past, such offensive commentary might have significantly impacted a comedian’s career or even triggered a media uproar. However, the situation appears to be different now. There were no public protests or outrage from SNL cast members regarding Gillis’s hosting, in contrast to the boycott by some cast members and writers during Dave Chappelle’s 2022 episode due to his jokes about transgender people.
Gillis’s comedic style and offensive comments have garnered him a significant following, with more than 80,000 Patreon subscribers, generating approximately $180,000 in monthly revenue for him. His podcast is currently the most-subscribed show on the Patreon platform according to Vox. Gillis’s first stand-up special on YouTube in 2021 had over 24 million views, which led to a Netflix special titled “Beautiful Dogs” in 2023 that was one of the streaming platform’s top 10 most popular shows. However, it’s important to note that the slurs from his podcast are not part of his comedy, although homophobia is evident according to one New York Times culture reporter.
Just a few weeks ago, Bud Light hired Gillis to promote their beer brand, potentially hoping that he could help revive sales after the controversy surrounding the company’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in 2022.
The increasing coarseness of societal and cultural norms can be, at least partially, attributed to Donald Trump. He replaced coded racial dog whistles with no-holds-barred bigotry and made a habit of uttering deeply offensive remarks towards various communities, including Blacks, Latinos, Muslims, and others. This trend seems to have influenced public reactions when a comedian like Gillis makes such comments, making people less easily offended than they might have been in the past and desensitized to it all.
Gillis’s relative anonymity to the nation might also explain the lack of widespread outrage over his hosting SNL. He acknowledged this during his opening monologue on the show, telling the audience, “Most of you probably have no idea who I am.” He urged them not to Google his name.
While comedians should never be held to the same standard as politicians wielding real power, they are not immune from criticism. The line between comedy and offensive jokes can sometimes blur, and famous comedians using their platform to belittle vulnerable communities is despicable.
Ultimately, it’s the marketplace that decides a comedian’s fate – canceled or thriving. If you don’t agree with a comedian’s material, simply avoid attending their shows. In the case of Gillis, given the popularity and financial success he has achieved, there seems to be a substantial market for such views in the world of bigotry.
