Background: Lorne Michaels’ Perspective on Shane Gillis’ Firing
Lorne Michaels, creator of Saturday Night Live (SNL), recently disclosed in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that NBC made the decision to remove comedian Shane Gillis from the show in 2019. Michaels shared that he was upset by this decision, believing Gillis was a promising talent.
- Michaels’ Take: “He said something stupid, but it got blown out of proportion,” Michaels, now 79, expressed. “I was angry because I thought we hadn’t shown what he could do, and I believed he was the real thing.”
The Incident: What Led to Shane Gillis’ Controversy?
In 2019, Gillis was set to join the SNL cast, but days after his addition, a 2018 podcast clip resurfaced, sparking major backlash.
- Controversial Remarks: Gillis was heard using offensive language, including anti-Asian slurs, and making stereotypical comments about Asian accents.
- Public Response: Fans, media, and advocacy groups criticized the comments, demanding accountability.
NBC’s Statement on the Firing Decision
An SNL spokesperson addressed the situation, stating that the show’s vetting process failed to identify Gillis’ remarks before hiring.
- NBC’s Apology: “The language he used is offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable. We apologize for not identifying this sooner and recognize that our vetting process fell short.”
- Michaels’ Reaction: Although he did not support NBC’s decision, Michaels said he understood why they made the call.
Repercussions: Boycotts and Apologies
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Michaels shared that around “200 Asian companies were considering boycotting SNL” due to the incident.
Gillis’ Public Apology
After the video resurfaced, Gillis issued an apology, explaining his comedic style often involves risk-taking.
- Statement: “I’m a comedian who pushes boundaries. I’d be happy to apologize to anyone actually offended by anything I’ve said.”
- Reflection: “If you look through my years of comedy, you’ll find some misses. My intention is never to hurt, but to be the best comedian I can be, and sometimes that requires risks.”
SNL Invites Gillis Back to Host
In February 2024, nearly five years after the controversy, SNL invited Gillis back to host an episode, a move that received mixed reactions.
- Gillis’ Monologue: He addressed the audience humorously, saying, “Most of you probably have no idea who I am. I was actually fired from this show a while ago, but don’t look that up, please.”
Key Takeaways
- NBC ultimately made the decision to fire Shane Gillis, despite Lorne Michaels’ disagreement.
- Controversial remarks made by Gillis in 2018 were the primary cause of his removal from SNL.
- Significant backlash and potential boycotts from Asian companies influenced the network’s stance.
- Gillis’ return to SNL in 2024 highlights SNL’s willingness to revisit past controversies in a lighthearted way.
