After being cast and then abruptly removed from the late-night sketch show in 2019, Shane Gillis has been confirmed to host the episode of “Saturday Night Live” on February 24. 21. Savage, a musician, will be joining him. Combine this with his widely-reported collaboration reeling beer company, Anheuser-Busch, product Bud Light; Shane Gills is the rising star that might make comedy great again.
When he first entered the world of stand-up comedy in 2012, he was the type that pushed the envelope of decency to get big laughs and endearment from his crowds. Notable appearances that helped him reach a larger audience base are Comedy Central Radio Sirius XM and The Joe Rogan Experience.
Hours after it was announced that Gillis would be joining “SNL” in 2019, videos of him making racist, homophobic, Islamophobic, and misogynistic jokes on his own podcast and other media surfaced.
After a week, NBC removed him from the cast. “We have determined that Shane Gillis will not be joining ‘SNL,'” an executive producer Lorne Michaels’ representative stated at the time. “We want “SNL” to feature a range of voices and viewpoints, so we hired Shane based on both his standout comedy audition and his talent as a comedian. His earlier statements that have come to light over the last few days were unknown to us. His use of language was inappropriate, hurtful, and offensive. We apologize for not seeing these videos sooner and for the subpar vetting procedure we used.”
Getting cut from SNL could have seriously damaged a young comedian, but Gillis managed to play it to his advantage. He won sympathy from those who feel that boundary-pushing comedy is under attack from overly sensitive critics. Podcast kingmaker Joe Rogan provided a platform for Gillis to share his side of the SNL story.
Gillis also released a statement, saying, “It feels ridiculous for comedians to be making serious public statements but here we are. I’m a comedian who was funny enough to get ‘SNL.’ That can’t be taken away. Of course, I wanted an opportunity to prove myself at ‘SNL,’ but I understand it would be too much of a distraction. I respect the decision they made. I’m honestly grateful for the opportunity. I was always a MadTV [sic] guy anyway.”
With Bud Light, Gillis now has a well-known new partnership. Gillis will be a part of the beer company’s 2024 tour, it announced on Instagram. This follows the rejection of Bud Light from conservatives who called for a boycott of the company last year over a campaign that featured transgender TikTok star, Dylan Mulvaney.
Hiring the controversial Gillis appears to be an attempt by Bud Light to rebuild rapport with disaffected consumers on the right. While Gillis rejects the “conservative comedian” label, his unapologetic style aligns with a segment of the market that believes mainstream culture has become too “politically correct.”
Of course, this latest opportunity will likely court additional controversy. Activists on the left may pressure Bud Light to cut ties with Gillis as the right did with Mulvaney, but after getting burned for trying to avoid offense last time, the company may be prepared to stand behind their new spokesperson.
An Instagram post featuring a picture of Gillis at a Budweiser brewery was made by the beverage company to announce the collaboration. The caption greeted the new member of the team. “glad to be joining you on tour in 2024.” In a post of his own that day, Gillis included more images from what appeared to be a Budweiser brewery tour. With conservatives representing a huge beer-drinking demographic, the rewards may outweigh the risks.
Rather than apologize or change his act, Gillis stayed the course. His perseverance through controversy has paid off with bigger audiences and better opportunities like the Bud Light partnership and his former bosses at SNL to hire him back for one day and more money. For those wondering whether it’s still possible to succeed in comedy without compromising one’s act, Gillis provides a resounding yes.
Shane Gillis is the archetype of a comedian who succeeds not in spite of controversy, but because of it. Outrage generates curiosity, media coverage, and a sense of rebellion in many comedy fans. Gillis managed to leverage this phenomenon to keep his career thriving after an enormous early setback.
Other comedians or public figures wondering how to come back from scandal may look to Gillis as an example. He resisted apologies or changes to his act in order to maintain authenticity. He focused on improving his comedy chops and delivering for those who stood by him. His journey shows that resilience and commitment to one’s craft can overcome obstacles.
What are your thoughts on this? Does Shane Gillis have the right idea? Leave us a comment!
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