From Fired To Host: The Full Story Of Why Shane Gillis Was Dropped By SNL And His Triumphant Return

The story of Shane Gillis and Saturday Night Live (SNL) is one of the most explosive and confounding controversies in modern comedy history. In September 2019, the rising stand-up star was hired as a new cast member, only to be fired just four days later after videos surfaced of him using racist and homophobic slurs on his podcast. This swift dismissal, fueled by public outcry and the viral spread of the clips, seemed to signal the end of his mainstream career, yet his journey took an unexpected—and triumphant—turn in 2024, proving that in comedy, the rules are often rewritten.

The core reason for his termination was a breach of SNL's standards regarding offensive language, specifically anti-Asian slurs and mocking a Chinese accent, which became a national story almost instantly. However, the true shock came five years later, when the very institution that fired him invited him back to host. This article, updated for the current year, 2025, dives deep into the exact comments, the timeline of the controversy, and the unprecedented success that led to his remarkable return to Studio 8H.

Shane Gillis: Biography and Professional Profile

Shane Michael Gillis is an American stand-up comedian, podcaster, and actor whose career has been defined by his controversial humor and massive independent success. His style, often described as observational and politically incorrect, has cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase, particularly through his digital media work.

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• Full Name: Shane Michael Gillis
• Date of Birth: December 11, 1987
• Hometown: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
• Primary Career: Stand-up Comedian, Podcaster, Writer, Actor
• Notable Stand-Up Specials:
  • Shane Gillis: Live in Austin (2021)
  • Beautiful Dogs (2023, Netflix)
• Podcast: Co-host of Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast (with Matt McCusker)
• Television/Film Roles: Star and co-creator of the Netflix series Tires (2024)
• SNL Timeline:
  • Hired: September 11, 2019
  • Fired: September 16, 2019
  • Host: February 24, 2024

The Four-Day SNL Career: What Exactly Got Shane Gillis Fired?

Shane Gillis’s tenure as a cast member at Saturday Night Live lasted less than a week, making it one of the shortest in the show's history. The controversy ignited immediately after his hiring was announced on September 11, 2019.

The Resurfaced Podcast Clips

The catalyst for the firing was a video compilation of past comments from his popular show, Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast. The clips, which were shared widely on social media by writer Seth Simons, contained material that SNL deemed "offensive" and "unacceptable."

• Anti-Asian Slurs: The most cited example involved Gillis using a derogatory racial slur to refer to people of Asian descent and mocking a Chinese accent in a 2018 episode of the podcast.
• Homophobic and Misogynistic Remarks: Other clips showed Gillis using homophobic slurs and making sexist jokes, further fueling the public backlash and calls for his dismissal.

The outcry was immediate and intense. Critics argued that a show with the cultural prominence of SNL should not employ someone with a history of using such language, especially considering the show's recent efforts to diversify its cast. The pressure was immense on executive producer Lorne Michaels and the network, NBC.

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SNL’s Official Statement

On September 16, 2019, SNL released a statement announcing that they would not be moving forward with Gillis as a cast member. The statement, issued on behalf of Lorne Michaels, clarified that the show had not been aware of the comedian’s past remarks when they hired him.

“After talking with Shane Gillis and his manager, we’ve decided that he will not be joining SNL. We want *SNL* to have a cast in which we believe everyone feels safe to work. The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable. We are sorry that we did not see these clips earlier, and that our vetting process was not up to our standard.”

Gillis responded with a statement on Twitter, acknowledging his dismissal and defending his comedic style. He wrote, "I'm a comedian who pushes boundaries. I sometimes miss. If you actually listen to my stuff, you know that I'm trying to be the best comedian I can be and sometimes that requires risks."

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The Unprecedented Return: From Firing to Hosting in 2024

In a twist almost unheard of in the entertainment industry, Shane Gillis returned to Studio 8H on February 24, 2024, not as a cast member, but as a host. This decision by Lorne Michaels and SNL was a massive cultural moment, signifying a complex shift in how the industry handles "cancel culture" and controversial comedians.

The Rise of the Anti-Establishment Comedian

Instead of derailing his career, the SNL firing seemed to galvanize Gillis's fanbase. His popularity soared in the years following the 2019 controversy, largely driven by his independent success:

• Podcast Growth: Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast became one of the most popular comedy podcasts in the world, amassing millions of listeners who appreciated his unfiltered style.
• Stand-Up Success: His self-funded 2021 special, Live in Austin, and his 2023 Netflix special, Beautiful Dogs, were critical and commercial hits, proving his massive draw outside of traditional media gatekeepers.
• Netflix Series: He cemented his mainstream appeal by starring in and co-creating the Netflix comedy series Tires.

By 2024, Gillis was a major comedy draw, selling out large venues and proving that SNL had, arguably, "missed out" on a significant talent. His success made his return as a host an undeniable, if controversial, choice for the show.

The Monologue That Addressed Everything

Gillis’s opening monologue on February 24, 2024, directly addressed the elephant in the room. Walking onto the stage, he joked about the surreal nature of the moment and immediately referenced his past firing.

“Most of you probably know me from getting fired from this show,” he quipped. He then told the audience, with a smirk, "Please, don't Google that," directly referencing the reason for his 2019 dismissal.

The monologue was a blend of self-deprecation and defiant humor, acknowledging the controversy without issuing a formal apology, a move that resonated with his audience and sparked renewed debate over the nature of offensive comedy. The episode itself was widely viewed and generally well-received, solidifying his unique position in the comedy landscape.

The Legacy of the Firing: A Turning Point in Comedy

The Shane Gillis SNL controversy is more than just a footnote in the show's history; it represents a significant turning point in the business of comedy. It highlighted the tension between legacy media's need for political correctness and the raw, boundary-pushing nature of modern stand-up, which often thrives in the unregulated space of podcasts and independent specials.

The initial firing was a clear example of "cancel culture" succeeding, with a major institution immediately capitulating to public pressure. However, his return as a host five years later demonstrated the limitations of that culture when faced with undeniable commercial success and a devoted, passionate fanbase. In the end, Shane Gillis’s career trajectory proved that for some comedians, being fired from a legacy institution can be the ultimate launchpad for true independent stardom.

His story remains a powerful case study for aspiring comedians and media executives alike, illustrating that the path to success is no longer solely dictated by traditional gatekeepers like Lorne Michaels and Saturday Night Live. The firing was the consequence of his controversial past; the hosting gig was the reward for his massive, self-made present.