Comedian Weighs in on Shane Gillis’ Controversial Remarks

Dana Carvey, a longtime “Saturday Night Live” cast member, has a rather casual interpretation of Shane Gillis’ controversial comments about women’s gym attire—he calls it a joke.

This follows Gillis’ monologue on October 10, during which he remarked, “I haven’t been to the gym in so long, I didn’t know women just dress like whores now.”

‘I just didn’t understand the kerfuffle.’

Unpacking the Backlash

In his routine, Gillis made several remarks about the revealing shorts that women wear while exercising, casting himself as somewhat of a creep for paying attention to it. These comments sparked outrage from various public figures including Dan Levy from “Schitt’s Creek,” who described Gillis’ words as misogynistic.

However, Carvey, who was part of “SNL” from 1986 to 1993, expressed confusion over the uproar. “I just didn’t understand the kerfuffle only because, to me, I just saw it as what we call — I’ll just say it — a joke,” he mentioned during his podcast, “Fly on the Wall,” co-hosted with fellow “SNL” alumnus David Spade.

He further clarified, “Like … when you tell jokes, you’re not literally saying women are whores. You are literally joking. Isn’t that kind of the idea?” Then he hesitated, possibly reconsidering his stance: “No? Did I just get canceled?”

Not a Well-Received Routine

Carvey acknowledged that what might have been a hit in comedy clubs could be perceived differently in the setting of NBC’s Studio 8H.

He and Spade noted that “SNL” audiences usually consist of many young women dressed up, a demographic that might not take kindly to Gillis’ comments about women’s workout clothing.

Spade, who was on “SNL” from 1990 to 1996, also appeared unfazed. “Sure, it got some laughs, but I think he knows that one’s going to be a button-pusher, but he doesn’t care,” he commented.

He also pointed out something rather contradictory in the responses to Gillis, especially in a culture that supposedly respects sex workers but critiques actress Sydney Sweeney for her choices. “It’s odd that people say, ‘Oh, don’t make fun of OnlyFans. Don’t make fun of strippers. These are sex workers. They need respect.’ Then everyone hates Sydney Sweeney. And it’s like, what? Which one is it?”

Ultimately, Spade suggested that the difference between a joke that flies and one that flops on “SNL” often hinges on the audience’s reaction. “If something kills, it gets a pass,” he noted. “If something totally bombs, then they get in a lot of trouble.”

Other Comedians Chime In

Carvey and Spade aren’t the only comedians to come to Gillis’ defense. British comedian Jimmy Carr dismissed the uproar, claiming he makes even worse jokes daily.

Former “SNL” cast member Victoria Jackson was straightforward in her support, stating, “He’s right about gym girls dressing like ‘whores.’ When did ‘camel toe’ become acceptable gym fashion and grocery shopping attire?”

Another ex-cast member, Jeff Richards, praised Gillis, calling him a “really funny guy” and a natural talent.

While the backlash to Gillis’ monologue might have been serious among many in the entertainment community, fellow comedians from the “SNL” ranks have responded with much less outrage.