‘SNL’ and Shane Gillis get backlash for ‘rape culture’ jokes during a national conversation about sexual assault
Shane Gillis hosted Saturday Night Live over the weekend, and the response to the comedian’s opening monologue has been fast and mostly furious. On Saturday, Gillis took the stage and almost immediately insulted women with a joke that pretty indisputably did not land. In what first sounded like self-deprecating humor, the comedian vented about needing to lose weight and his awkward trips to the…
Shane Gillis, a comedian who recently hosted Saturday Night Live (SNL), faced widespread backlash for his opening monologue, which many deemed misogynistic and problematic. Gillis made jokes about women's outfits and gym clothing, leading to accusations of normalizing rape culture. The timing of his remarks coincided with a national conversation about sexual assault, following the "Cornell 7" case where fraternity brothers were accused of drugging and raping a woman.
Jessica Valenti, a gender and politics writer, criticized Gillis, stating that his comments contributed to a culture that allows rape. She argued that demeaning and dehumanizing women is a direct line to a culture that enables sexual violence. SNL has remained silent on the matter, sharing the monologue clip on Instagram despite the backlash.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of misogyny in comedy and the challenges of addressing it within mainstream media.
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