As of Friday evening, Saturday Night Live had given no indication of what next steps it might take; press representatives for the show and for NBC, which broadcasts it, did not immediately offer comments. ", "Unacceptable," MacDonald added. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The new cast members offensive remarks about Chinese people and others raise questions about the shows vetting and what, if anything, the show should do with him. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Unacceptable. Shane Gillis lost his chance Saturday Night Live gig on Monday after a YouTube video surfaced of him using a racial slur while discussing a Chinatown This isnt about who you voted for, its about saving a profession.. This is just cancel culture. Comedian: Firing Shane Gillis wasnt political correctness - CNN SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY NEWSLETTER, FIRST TAKE, 'SNL' Fires New Cast Member Shane Gillis After Outcry Over Racist Jokes, Rob Schneider Feels 'Sorry' for Fired 'SNL' Cast Member Shane Gillis, New 'SNL' Cast Member Shane Gillis Used Anti-Asian Racial Slur in 2018 Podcast Episode (Video). But there is widespread feeling that Gilliss remarks were not simply jokes that missed, but were distasteful. ", SNL NEW HIRE SHANE GILLIS APOLOGIZES FOR RACIST, SEXIST, ANTI-GAY SLURS IN VIDEO, PODCASTS, Not long after NBC announced that Gillis along withcomediansBowen Yang and Cloe Fineman had been added to the cast, Variety reported that a since-deleted YouTube video, as well as Gillis podcasts, include frequent comments against Asians, Muslims, women, gays and other groups. Piscopo added that he respects SNL creator Lorne Michaels decision to fire Gillis amid the current climate, as he needs to protect the shows brand, but think cancel culture in general is an attack on the First Amendment. A Twitter user named Seth Simons shared a clip of a video, taken from a now-deleted YouTube post from September 2018 a video recording of Gillis' podcast, "Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast" where the comedian can be heard referring to Asians by a racial slur. Schneider, who in recent years has been critical of the show that made him famous, suggested a suspension might have been more appropriate for Gillis. Norm MacDonald and Rob Schneider, both former "Saturday Night Live" cast members, have spoken out in condemnation of the show's firing of comedian Shane I can't even imagine how you must feel. This is just cancel culture, Jefferies said. Hes certainly got a lot of fish to fry today, so the fact that he took some time to do that today, I give him credit.. You can read more about the controversy here. On Tuesday, SNL alum Rob Schneider tweeted an apology to Gillis for this era of cultural unforgiveness where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves., I think a suspension would be appropriate for someone who is part of an organization that says something terrible in a podcast from a year earlier, Schneider added in a follow-up tweet. If you think Chappelle went in, wait until you hear Eddie Murphy, he said. Belushi spoke mock Japanese and made exaggerated use of a katana for the recurring role, which was also referenced by some social media users who saw a double standard in SNLs decision to fire Gillis. Make sure you see our stories daily directly to your inbox. Shane Gillis Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth "After talking with Shane Gillis, we have decided that he will not be joining 'SNL,'" the spokesperson said. Glenn Beck says: You want to see this film. ", "Of course I wanted an opportunity to prove myself at SNL, but I understand it would be too much of a distraction," he countered. Gilliss representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Were not running for office, when is this gonna fing end? comedian says on Lights Out With David Spade. I'm honestly grateful for the opportunity. Burr referenced SNLs poor track record during his appearance on Lights Out. If you say something like that, you cant work in a sketch show, but, like, its okay for what, he can work at a lumberyard? Back in 2019, Shane Gillis was announced as a new cast member on Saturday Night Live, but was fired before ever actually making an appearance on the Shane Gillis lost his chance Saturday Night Live gig on Mondayafter a YouTube video surfaced of him using a racial slurwhile discussing a Chinatown neighborhood with another comedian. He wrote, "Dear @Shanemgillis As a former SNL cast member I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves. 10 Things You Didn't Know about Shane Gillis I can't even imagine how you must feel. Sirius XM, where the show was also broadcast, did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News. The debate has also renewed longstanding questions about comedy, a genre where artists and audiences agree that performers must be allowed some latitude to transgress boundaries of convention and propriety. When Awkwafina hosted the show last October, she became only the second Asian American woman to host the show. Shane Gillis will not be making his Saturday Night Live debut, much to the relief of many who decried the comedian for using racist and homophobic language in recently recorded podcasts. You watch old clips and they bleep us out, Piscopo said. That can't be taken away. While he is not well known to national audiences, Gilliss career had been on the rise, with frequent appearances at major comedy clubs in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere. Shane Gillis said late Thursday that it is never his intention to hurt anyone, but that he does aim to push boundaries. All rights reserved. Hey, Shane, I'm so sorry. During a recent episode of Rogans podcast, Gillis did an impression of an obnoxious drunken tourist in Hawaii, slurring, Youre from a fuckin island, faggot, and then caught himself. Delete thatmy bad, he said. Jefferies referenced Samurai Futaba, a character John Belushi played in the mid- to late 70s. Gillis has also been criticized for remarks he made as a guest on other podcasts one of which featured him using an anti-Semitic and racist slur to reference Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang. Another SNL alum, McDonald, also defended Gillis and even declared war after reaching out to his fellow comic. Gillis, for his part, tried to offer some context for his past remarks. WebShane Gillis Live 2023 Tour on sale NOW - More dates coming soon - Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. What happens when a comedian goes too far? We use cookies to better understand website visitors, for advertising, and to offer you a better experience. Saturday Night Live legendsJoe Piscopo, Norm MacDonald and Rob Schneider arent fans of the current cancel culture plaguing comedy. Unfortunately for Shane Gillis, shortly after it was announced that he was hired for the 45th season of Saturday Night Live, he was fired. "SNL" alumRob Schneider tweetedMonday,"@ShaneMGillis as a formerSNLcast member I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of culture unforgiveness where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves.