During a recent performance, Shane Gillis managed to poke fun at the audience while referencing WNBA’s Brittany Hicks. “We have four-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks with us, everyone, let’s hear it for Brittany,” Gillis said, prompting polite applause from the crowd at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Then he quickly followed up with, “Kidding, that’s my friend’s wife. I honestly don’t know any WNBA players.”
The audience chuckled, and both Hicks and her husband, comedian Matt McCusker, appeared to thoroughly enjoy the moment. As with much of Gillis’ bold and sometimes controversial set, reactions on social media were varied.
One Twitter user remarked that using a friend’s wife in a joke about a fictional WNBA player, while calling out the audience, was brilliantly executed. The tweet gained significant traction, racking up thousands of likes.
Another noted that Gillis delivered one of the most audacious moments in awards show history, likening his style to that of comic Ricky Gervais. Yet, not everyone appreciated the humor. Some voices on social media criticized the approach, with comments like, “Punching down is never enjoyable,” and others simply dismissing the joke as uninteresting.
It wasn’t just about the WNBA, though. The comedian took aim at various aspects of sports and pop culture, including figures like Aaron Rodgers and Donald Trump, along with sports icons Bill Belichick and Juan Soto, showcasing a broad range of targets in his stand-up routine.
This show highlighted Gillis’ signature style—fearless and unapologetic—guaranteeing both laughter and divided opinions in the audience.
