Dan Levy blasts ‘misogynist’ Shane Gillis over ‘SNL’ joke about women’s gym clothing
The ‘Schitt’s Creek’ star condemned Gillis’ remarks, arguing that men must challenge misogyny rather than blame women
Shane Gillis has sparked criticism following his latest Saturday Night Live monologue, in which jokes about women’s gym clothing drew an uneven response from the audience.
Comedian Dan Levy subsequently condemned the remarks on Instagram, arguing that men must challenge misogyny rather than blame women for their clothing choices.
During the monologue, Gillis joked about women’s workout attire, saying, “I didn’t know women just dressed like wh*res now.”
He also joked about the clothing’s fit and warned that gym-goers should not look at women because they might appear in the background of their TikTok videos.
The remarks prompted criticism, with Levy addressing what he viewed as the underlying attitudes towards women.
“Women wearing short shorts to the gym does not make them wh*res. It makes the men calling them wh*res misogynists. There’s a difference there,” Levy said.
He called on men to take greater responsibility for challenging misogynistic behaviour, adding, “Men need to be defending women more. This is not a women’s issue. This is an everybody issue.”
Levy also argued that the objectification of women in the media can influence how they are treated in everyday life, stressing that women should not be reduced to objects.
Several jokes in Gillis’ monologue prompted groans rather than laughter. The comedian also joked about his receding hairline and compared his hairstyle to Adolf Hitler’s, receiving limited laughter.
Gillis, 38, was dismissed from SNL in 2019 after resurfaced podcast clips featuring offensive remarks about Asians and anti-gay slurs triggered backlash.
He later built a career in stand-up comedy, podcasting and acting, including starring in Netflix’s Tires.
The exchange has renewed discussion about misogyny, accountability and the boundaries of humour in entertainment.
