‘Schitt’s Creek’ Star Dan Levy Slams Shane Gillis’ ‘SNL’ Monologue and Calls on Men To Speak Up
Shane Gillis has a complicated history with ‘Saturday Night Live’. The comedian was famously fired from the show’s cast in 2019 before he ever appeared on air, but he has since returned to host multiple times as his stand-up career exploded.
The 38-year-old has built a massive following through his Netflix special ‘Beautiful Dogs’ and ‘Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast’, which has been the most subscribed-to podcast on Patreon. Still, nailing an ‘SNL’ monologue has proven elusive, with his first hosting gig in 2024 widely considered a misfire after he blamed younger audience members for not getting his Civil War jokes.
Gillis returned to host the show this past weekend for the third time since his firing. His opening monologue covered his weight, his misery while hiking, and his efforts to seem unthreatening to women on the trail.
The set quickly drew criticism, particularly over a joke in which he used a derogatory slur to describe how women dress at the gym. The line drew an uncomfortable reaction from the studio audience and generated heated backlash online.
Now, Emmy winner Dan Levy has publicly weighed in. On Sunday night, the ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star posted an Instagram Reel reacting to the monologue, though he did not mention Gillis by name.
Levy pushed back directly on the joke, arguing that women wearing short shorts at the gym doesn’t justify that kind of label. Instead, he said, the men using such language are the ones revealing their misogyny, adding with a dash of humor that he has seen far more of men’s bodies at the gym than women’s.
The 43-year-old said he was stunned that such material could air on live national television. He argued that more men need to openly oppose these kinds of comments, warning that complacency helps create an environment where sexual assault is treated as a topic of debate rather than a crime.
Levy stressed that men need to do more to defend women. He framed the problem as something that affects everyone, not just women. He explained that when women are objectified in the media, it encourages other men to see and treat them as objects. Levy closed by insisting that women are not objects, admitting he was prepared for some online backlash over his comments.
Shane Gillis’ monologue! https://t.co/ky6fVtWBx9
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) October 11, 2026
Levy is no stranger to the ‘SNL’ stage himself. He hosted the sketch show in 2021, giving his criticism added weight as someone who understands the platform. The response to Levy’s video has been largely supportive. Many fans echoed his message, repeating his point that the issue affects everyone.
Others have questioned whether ‘SNL’ producers knew in advance what Gillis planned to say. The debate has reignited conversations about where the line falls between edgy comedy and harmful rhetoric.
Gillis’ relationship with the show has been rocky from the start. After his 2019 firing, he went on to rebuild his reputation through stand-up, and he has impressed audiences with popular sketches like “CouplaBeers” during his hosting stints.
His monologue this weekend also included a political quip suggesting Americans are divided into extreme camps, which drew its own share of reactions. Critics noted that his stand-up skills haven’t always translated to the ‘SNL’ format.
So far, Gillis has not publicly responded to Levy’s comments. NBC has also not addressed the backlash surrounding the monologue. What is clear is that Levy’s message has struck a chord. His call for men to speak up has turned a controversial comedy moment into a broader discussion about accountability.
Do you agree with Dan Levy that more men should speak up against misogynistic jokes?
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
