Shane Gillis Blames Young Audience for SNL Monologue Reaction

NEW YORK, NY — Comedian Shane Gillis recently returned to host “Saturday Night Live” for the second time, stirring mixed reactions from the audience and critics. The episode aired in March, and while some of Gillis’ fans enjoyed the performance, many found fault, especially with his opening monologue.

In that monologue, Gillis referenced former President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland and shared personal insecurities, which he admitted had “racist” undertones regarding his girlfriend’s diverse dating history. The response from the live audience was reportedly lukewarm, leading to swift criticism from media outlets.

Discussing the backlash, Gillis appeared on the “Smartless” podcast, where he expressed that he believed the young audience was to blame for the negative reception of his jokes. He noted, “Tate McRae was the musical guest, so the audience was like 20-year-old chicks just in the front… They had no idea — just some ogre walked out on the stage and started talking about Shelby Foote.”

Gillis attempted to incorporate historical references about Ken Burns’ documentary work into his routine but felt that the audience did not appreciate the humor. He remarked, “Every time my monologue doesn’t go great on SNL — I’m 0 for 2 on those things.”

While some audience members did not respond to his historical jokes, critics argue that the nature of Gillis’ humor was a concern, particularly one punchline concerning date rape, which did not sit well with viewers. Gillis later acknowledged that several of his comments had resulted in a lack of laughter during his performance.

This marks Gillis’ second hosting stint on SNL, with his first taking place in 2024. His controversial style continues to spark debate among fans and critics alike.