‘SNL’ cast member Michael Che shrugs off Shane Gillis’ monologue joke saying, ‘that’s comedy’
Michael Che dismissed the backlash to Shane Gillis’s joke about women’s gym clothing, saying comedy will appeal to some people and not others. Che said he had not paid much attention to the monologue and avoids criticising other comedians because his own jokes have sometimes failed.
Gillis made the remarks during his third turn hosting “Saturday Night Live”, prompting criticism from some viewers and actor Dan Levy. Che said he first missed the monologue while working on cue cards, then did not think much of it; he had also joked online that questions about the controversy would distract from promoting his Netflix special. Comedian Tim Young supported Che’s view that audiences can choose what they watch.
- Michael Che brushed off criticism of Shane Gillis’s joke.
- Gillis’s monologue drew backlash and criticism from actor Dan Levy.
- Che said comedians sometimes miss, as he has himself.
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Saturday Night Live is a long-running American comedy programme, featuring sketches and a guest host who delivers an opening monologue. Shane Gillis is a comedian who has hosted the show three times, while Michael Che is one of its regular cast members and co-anchors its satirical news segment.
Gillis’s monologue joke about women’s gym clothing drew criticism from some viewers and actor Dan Levy. Che said he had missed much of the monologue while working backstage and did not think much of the joke; he also said comedians’ material will not appeal to everyone. The discussion reflects differing views about comedy, criticism and what audiences choose to watch.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Che’s response reflects the view that comedy is subjective and should leave room for audiences to decide what they find funny. Comedians may also be reluctant to police one another’s material, recognising that jokes can misfire and that criticism can constrain creative freedom.
The case against
Critics can argue that a joke about women’s gym clothing invites scrutiny because comedy still carries social meaning and may reinforce disrespectful attitudes. Saying audiences can simply choose what to watch does not address why viewers might object or whether performers should consider the effect of their material.