Shane Gillis Returns to SNL with Mixed Reviews and Controversial Jokes

Image credits: NBC

Shane Gillis returned to Saturday Night Live for his second hosting gig, and his monologue was met with a mixed reaction from the audience. Gillis addressed his past controversies, including his use of racist and homophobic slurs in his podcast, and attempted to poke fun at himself. However, his jokes fell flat at times, and he struggled to connect with the audience. One of his jokes about Joe Biden's age and Donald Trump's "fifth-grade-level ideas" about annexing Greenland received some laughter, but his subsequent jokes about racism and sexism were met with awkward silence.

Gillis's monologue was marked by his attempts to preempt criticism and acknowledge the audience's likely biases. He said, "You guys are pretty liberal here," and later added, "Now I'm going to lose you even more." Despite his efforts, his jokes about racism and sexism were widely criticized, with some viewers accusing him of being insensitive and unfunny. In one joke, Gillis said that asking a girlfriend if she had ever had sex with a Black guy was racist, but then proceeded to tell a story about asking his own girlfriend the same question. The joke was meant to be self-deprecating, but it came across as tone-deaf and offensive.

However, Gillis fared better in the show's sketches, where he was able to play a character and allow the writers to take the reins. In the parody ad "CouplaBeers," he played a disaffected suburban office worker who treated his anxiety and depression with a medication that was just a couple of beers. The sketch was a takedown of both TV pitches for prescription drugs and the guy who drinks to quell his pain while causing harm to those around him. Gillis also appeared in a reprisal of the sketch "Mid-Day News 2," where he played a white news anchor who got in on a "game" with his Black co-anchors, racking up points depending on the crime suspects' race. The premise worked well with Gillis, and the sketch offered a bit of social commentary that implicated everyone in the joke.

Other sketches from the episode included a cold open featuring Mike Myers as Elon Musk, a Please Don't Destroy short called "The Sound," and a parody commercial for a medication called "CouplaBeers." The episode also featured musical guest Tate McRae, who performed "Sports car" and "Dear god." Overall, Gillis's return to SNL was marked by controversy and mixed reviews, but he showed glimpses of his comedic talent in the show's sketches. Some of the notable sketches and segments from the episode include:

• "CouplaBeers" parody ad
• "Mid-Day News 2" sketch
• "The Sound" Please Don't Destroy short
• Cold open featuring Mike Myers as Elon Musk
• Tate McRae's musical performances

In conclusion, Shane Gillis's return to SNL was a complex and multifaceted one, marked by both controversy and comedic talent. While his monologue was met with mixed reactions, his performances in the show's sketches were more well-received. As a comedian, Gillis has a unique voice and perspective, but he must be careful to avoid offending his audience and to use his platform to promote social commentary and awareness. With more practice and refinement, Gillis has the potential to become a successful and respected comedian, but for now, his return to SNL will be remembered as a mixed bag.