Isabella Nguyen/The Cougar
On Oct. 10, 2026, stand-up comedian Shane Gillis hosted the sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” for the third time. In his opening monologue, a “SNL” tradition, he joked, “I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dressed like whores now.”
Though Gillis has hosted the show twice before, he was set to become an official cast member back in 2019 until he was fired prior to his debut. Videos of him using anti-Asian slurs and making several other jokes rooted in racist stereotypes surfaced, receiving significant backlash online.
Despite the fact that Gillis has a history of including misogyny and racism in his sets and was even fired from “SNL” previously, they still brought him back to host once again.
They allowed him to make these comments on live television, at a time when concerns about sexual violence against women are already being amplified by the “Cornell 7” lawsuit.
Discrimination hiding behind a punchline
Gillis’ joke in his monologue was completely unnecessary. He used a derogatory, degrading term to describe women whom he has never met and whose clothing choices should have no effect on him.
The fact that “SNL” writers enabled Gillis to degrade women on live television without consequence, despite his past offenses, perpetuates the idea that these kinds of comments are acceptable as long as they remain in a comedic context.
Audience members warranted this joke, with many of them laughing at the remark. Whether it was genuine or out of shock and discomfort, Gillis’ joke being commended tells us that he believes casual racism and misogyny are a source of comedy and at least a significant portion of the world believes so as well.
Holding comedians accountable
Regardless of the context they are made in, jokes rooted in discrimination hold the same weight for the groups targeted by them.
To someone not included in the group, it may be a source of comedic relief, while for one in the group, it serves as a reminder of the way much of the world views them. Along with the stereotypical, derogatory beliefs still held about them to this day.
In an ordinary social interaction, these kinds of remarks would be considered unacceptable, but in these performance settings, they’re seen as typical points for comedic punchlines.
However, allowing comedians to push the limits like this, especially on live television, tells the rest of the world that these comments are okay, or even funny to make, bringing them into our everyday lives and conversations.
If stand-up comedians continue to lack restraint in making these offensive remarks, they perpetuate the normalization of racism, of the objectification of women and misogyny.
There needs to be greater consequences for these “jokes,” especially when they are broadcast live for the entire world to hear. Our world is already deeply riddled with enough prejudices and stereotypes without these kinds of comments being normalized.
Making something a joke does not erase the severity of the situation, it only takes hate and anger and turns it into something that human society is far more likely to accept.
opinion@thedailycougar.com
