Dan Levy is speaking out after comedian Shane Gillis delivered a controversial opening monologue on Saturday Night Live, criticizing remarks about women’s workout clothing and calling on men to take a stronger stand against misogyny.
Gillis, who hosted the October 10 episode of NBC’s long-running sketch comedy series, drew criticism after joking about women wearing tight, revealing shorts at the gym. During the routine, he used a derogatory term to describe their appearance and suggested that men were being discouraged from looking at women dressed that way.
The comments quickly became a talking point beyond the show’s usual comedy audience, with critics questioning whether the material reinforced harmful stereotypes about women.
Levy, best known for co-creating and starring in the Emmy-winning comedy Schitt’s Creek, addressed the controversy in a video posted to Instagram the following day.
The actor and writer rejected the suggestion that a woman’s choice of clothing should invite insulting labels. Instead, he argued that the problem lies with men who use degrading language to describe women.
Levy also expressed disbelief that the remarks had been delivered during a nationally televised entertainment program. He encouraged more men to speak publicly against misogyny rather than leaving women to challenge such behavior alone.
His response extended beyond the specific joke. Levy connected the normalization of sexist attitudes to broader concerns about how women are treated and how sexual violence is discussed in society.
Several entertainment personalities supported his criticism, including Elizabeth Banks, Sophia Bush, and comedian Phoebe Robinson. Their reactions helped bring additional attention to the dispute over Gillis’ material.
The controversy marks another contentious chapter in Gillis’ relationship with Saturday Night Live.
In 2019, the comedian was announced as a new cast member before being dropped from the show following the resurfacing of podcast recordings containing racist and homophobic language.
Despite that setback, Gillis continued building his stand-up career and eventually returned to SNL as a guest host. His October 2026 appearance marked his third time hosting the program.
The latest backlash also highlights an ongoing disagreement over the boundaries of provocative comedy. Supporters of confrontational humor often argue that comedians should be free to explore uncomfortable subjects, while critics maintain that jokes can reinforce damaging attitudes even when delivered for laughs.
For Levy, the issue is not simply whether a comedian has the right to make a controversial joke. His criticism focuses on the messages such material sends and the importance of challenging language that diminishes women.
Neither Gillis nor NBC had provided a public response to Levy’s criticism in the initial reporting.
As reactions continue across entertainment and social media circles, the dispute has become another example of how a brief moment on live television can develop into a much larger conversation about cultural attitudes, public accountability, and the changing expectations surrounding comedy.
