Shane Gillis managed to make the audience uncomfortable within just two minutes during his last appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” Now, as he returns for a third time, the show seems eager to lean into his knack for controversial humor—possibly to attract more viewers.
Diddy do it?
Before his appearance on “SNL,” Gillis joked on his podcast about throwing a party for Diddy once the rapper is out of prison, promising to have his best team ready for the event. It feels like he’s as relaxed as ever, even teasing the idea of a release party. “SNL” seems quite happy to hype up the unpredictable nature of Gillis’ hosting stint.
In fact, the promos for the show highlight Gillis’ reputation for stirring controversy. Cast member Kenan Thompson humorously reminded him, “I know what you did last time you was here. Don’t be touching none of my stuff this week.” Gillis cheekily replied, “I thought the cantaloupe was for everybody.” It’s a light-hearted moment, especially compared to some of Gillis’s past material, and it’s amusing to see “SNL” embrace the same bold attitude that caused his firing before he ever set foot onstage in 2019.
In 2025, Gillis broke the ice during his monologue by recalling the “fun” aspects of life under President Trump, making light of him before switching gears to comments about former President Biden, likening his face to going “dead” when he stops speaking. Shortly after, he dove into a discussion about the Civil War, throwing audience members a curveball with a question like, “Have you ever had sex with a black guy before?”
Bad words
Gillis’s first return to the network in 2024, after being dismissed five years earlier, signified a significant shift in the comedy landscape, where he felt he had shattered previous boundaries with words deemed offensive on a typically liberal platform.
At the time, he exclaimed, “I hope I can say those words on TV” while observing the audience’s less-than-enthusiastic reactions. He later disclosed that even some on the “SNL” staff were unaware of what he intended to say, including executive producer Lorne Michaels, who preferred to be surprised: “Don’t tell me, just do it,” he said.
This time, however, expectations are likely set. While this might not have the same impact, it seems Michaels is unbothered. Since his ousting, Gillis has become a much larger figure, boasting a successful Netflix series, a popular podcast, and a stand-up career that recently filled a football stadium.
“SNL” once thought it could get by without him. Now, it’s welcoming him back for the third time.
Gay old time
The previews released by NBC further demonstrate how far Gillis has progressed beyond what the sketch show has typically showcased. The other cast members appear somewhat less impressive in comparison to his comedic style.
In fact, any segment of Gillis’ podcast with comedian Matt McCusker feels remarkably more engaging, even when discussing topics like trimming mustaches or “TGIF” sitcoms. Still, it’s likely he’ll push some boundaries during Saturday’s show. Just a simple joke from his podcast could leave the audience in disbelief, especially when he suggests that when conversation stalls, he just accuses someone from the production team of being gay.
If he manages to offend, “SNL” can’t really complain about it. This time, it seems almost like an advertisement for humor that might push limits.
