Shane Gillis: The Unexpected Face of Youthful Charm
Shane Gillis: From Controversy to Comedy
Saturday night, comedian Shane Gillis brought his weird and ineffable charm to Studio 8H — no small feat given that just four years ago, Gillis was hired as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, then fired just days later. The firing was prompted by podcast episodes that resurfaced where Gillis used racial slurs.
So SNL’s invitation to host was surprising to say the least. Unfortunately, the same lack of nuance that prompted his firing seemed to haunt his inaugural SNL appearance.
In his opening monologue, it was clear that Gillis and the SNL audience were a little uneasy with each other. They were reluctant to follow him into one of his regular talking points: having family members with Downs syndrome.
Gillis tried to break the tension with an affable and self-conscious Disclaimer, “Look, I don’t have any material that can be on TV. I’m trying my best. Also, this place is extremely well lit. I can see everyone not enjoying it. This is the most nervous I’ve ever been…don’t clap now, shut up.”
And though the audience was definitely on his side by the end, the episode belied the talent of its cast, writers, and host. Shane Gillis’ “Saturday Night Live” appearance was a well-deserved olive branch, but ultimately fell short of showcasing the nuances of the comedian’s charm.
SNL Went for the Low-Hanging Fruit
Gillis is often compared to a kid we all knew in high school. One of my favorite descriptions of him says that he “gives off post-jock energy.” For better or worse, SNL took this idea and ran with it. In most of the show’s sketches, Gillis played some variation of a clueless, well-meaning oaf.
Forrest Gump’s high school bully. The coworker who visits strip clubs on his lunch break. A game show contestant afraid of saying something racist.
The sketch that gave Gillis the most credit featured him as an uptight dad from Ohio who insists on bringing his family to church while they’re on vacation in Jamaica. As the kids complain, he insists that “Church is church no matter where we are in the world.” He is soon proven comically wrong by Ego Nwodim’s patois-spouting, reggae-preaching, Adidas sandals-wearing priest, Father Lawrence.
Gillis gives a resounding “Amen,” which prompts his wife (Heidi Gardner) to ask him what he’s doing. With only a slight break in character, Gillis shoots back in patois, “Hush now, child! Me trying to hear the good word!”
Unexpected Non-Toxic Masculinity
Gillis’ hiring and firing from SNL is regrettable, but in all likelihood, SNL was probably never going to give him the freedom to really showcase his talents. And although Saturday’s episode pigeon-holed him, the stereotypes he played hint at what makes Gillis so talented: he’s just a regular dude.
Painting him as a high school jock or clueless bro betrays something inherently easygoing and familiar about him. There’s a boyishness and good humor about his comedy that sets him apart from today’s comedians like Pete Davidson. Comedians like Tom Segura, Bill Burr, or Bert Kreischer are similarly gut-punchingly funny. But anger, bitterness, and cynicism are part of their signature.
Somehow, though, Gillis manages to touch on the crushing realities of adult life without losing his lightheartedness or sincerity. Even when he’s offensive, he’s not malicious. Sure, he gets an immature kick out of saying outrageous things. But he’d probably be crushed if something he said genuinely hurt someone’s feelings.
His performance Saturday reflects that Gillis is smart and confident, but he cares whether or not you like him. Gillis’ star is on the rise because, for a lot of American Millennials, he’s a memory of something easy in a world that’s been really hard.
For men, he reassures them that it’s okay to think and act like guys. He’s saying out loud at the offensive, embarrassing, childish — but not mean-spirited — thoughts that guys hold back from their wives and coworkers.
For ladies, he makes us blush and cover our face in embarrassment for laughing at his jokes. He delights in grossing us out the way that boys with crushes on us used to do in high school. His immaturity, warmth, and absurdity give us a safe space to be idiot kids again, too. It’s the treasure we didn’t know we needed in a world of seemingly apocalyptic news cycles.
His appearance on “Saturday Night Live” is an encouraging sign that his talent is being taken seriously and, Lord willing, there are many more cringey, astute laughs to come.
How did viewers react to Shane Gillis’ appearance on SNL after his past controversy?
>Catch All the Excitement of SNL’s New Cast Member — Shane Gillis
This past Saturday night, comedian Shane Gillis returned to the stage of Studio 8H, creating a whirlwind of both controversy and laughter. Just four years ago, Gillis faced backlash and was swiftly fired from “Saturday Night Live” for his use of racial slurs in podcast episodes. His subsequent invitation to host the show was met with surprise, and unfortunately, the lack of nuance that led to his dismissal was still present during his SNL appearance. From the moment Gillis stepped on stage for his opening monologue, it was clear that both he and the SNL audience were a bit uneasy. The audience hesitated to fully embrace his familiar talking points, such as his experiences with family members who have Down syndrome. In an attempt to diffuse the tension, Gillis delivered a self-aware Disclaimer, acknowledging the limitations of his material and the highly illuminated setting of the studio. Despite the initial unease, the audience gradually warmed up to Gillis by the end of the episode. However, the show failed to fully capture the nuances of his comedic charm, leaving viewers yearning for more. Gillis is often likened to the familiar archetype of a high school jock, which exudes a mix of charm and cluelessness. SNL capitalized on this persona throughout the show, placing Gillis in various sketches where he portrayed clueless, well-meaning individuals. Whether he was playing Forrest Gump’s high school bully, a colleague who frequents strip clubs on his lunch break, or a game show contestant fearful of making racist statements, Gillis found himself constantly cast in roles that relied on his faux ignorance. Although these sketches provided Gillis with moments to shine, it limited the opportunity for the audience to witness the full range of his comedic capabilities. One sketch, however, stood out and allowed Gillis to showcase his talent beyond the expected stereotypes. In this particular skit, Gillis played an uptight father from Ohio who insisted on attending church during a family vacation in Jamaica. Despite the complaints from his children, he remained firm in his belief that “church is church” regardless of the location. The comical twist came when he encountered a patois-speaking, reggae-preaching priest, Father Lawrence, portrayed by Ego Nwodim. Gillis’ character enthusiastically embraced the Jamaican culture and even responded to his wife in patois, delivering a hilarious punchline. This sketch served as a glimmer of Gillis’ potential, captivating both the audience and showcasing unexpected non-toxic masculinity. The regrettable circumstances surrounding Gillis’ hiring and firing from SNL suggest that the show may have never provided him with the freedom necessary to fully unleash his talents. Although SNL attempted to cater to his familiar persona, it ultimately restrained the true depth of his comedic abilities. What sets Gillis apart is his relatability as an everyday person. Despite the controversies, he remains a regular guy with a unique perspective on life. Gillis’ comedic charm lies in his ability to shed light on the absurdities of everyday situations and draw humor from relatable experiences. As we continue to witness Gillis’ journey through comedy, it is crucial to allow him the space and opportunity to showcase the full range of his talents. By breaking away from predictable stereotypes and embracing the complexities of his humor, Gillis has the potential to captivate audiences and become a comedic force to be reckoned with.SNL’s Frustrating Choice of Stereotypical Roles
Unleashing Gillis’ Full Potential
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