Return to Saturday Night Live
Comedian Shane Gillis returned to host “Saturday Night Live” for the third time, delivering a meandering monologue that drew sparse laughs from the in-studio audience. Wearing a matching black t-shirt and pants, the 38-year-old comedian touched on topics including his struggles with weight, public gym culture in New York, and his family.
During the routine, Gillis joked about gymgoers and criticized how women dress at fitness centers, drawing groans from the crowd. He also joked about his family members and his receding hairline.
A rocky history with the show
Gillis has experienced a turbulent history with the sketch-comedy program. In September 2019, he was announced as a new cast member alongside Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang, but was fired five days later after podcast clips resurfaced in which he used anti-gay slurs and mocked Asians.
“SNL” creator Lorne Michaels later stated in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that he was forced by NBC executives to let Gillis go against his own preference. Since that dismissal, Michaels has welcomed Gillis back, offering him roles and hosting opportunities. While Gillis also struggled during his initial hosting stint in 2024—attributing his difficulties then to younger audiences unfamiliar with his material—he has since found success on the show with various sketches.