Dan Levy has challenged Shane Gillis over a controversial Saturday Night Live monologue, turning jokes about women’s gym clothes into a heated debate about misogyny, objectification and the responsibility of men to speak up. What started as a comedian’s observations about workout fashion quickly became a talking point across entertainment circles, with celebrities taking sides and questions emerging about the boundaries of comedy on live national television.

The Schitt’s Creek star’s response went beyond whether the material was funny. He questioned the language used to describe women and warned about the wider attitudes that can be reinforced when degrading remarks go unchallenged. But while several entertainment figures supported Levy, a former SNL cast member defended Gillis, revealing a clear divide over the joke and the backlash that followed.

What Did Shane Gillis Say About Women’s Gym Clothes on SNL?

Shane Gillis, 38, hosted Saturday Night Live on October 10, 2026, with Spanish singer Rosalía serving as the musical guest. It was his third time hosting the NBC sketch-comedy programme, following appearances in February 2024 and March 2025.

During his opening monologue, Gillis discussed returning to the gym and noticing what women wear while exercising. His comments quickly became the most controversial part of the routine.

“I haven’t been to the gym in so long. I didn’t know women just dress like whores now?”

Gillis continued by defending his description and drawing attention to women’s workout shorts.

“Look, I’m sorry, there’s no other way to describe [it]. Have you seen it? I’ve seen it. The shorts. Have you seen the shorts?”

He then described the shorts as neon-coloured and made a graphic joke about their appearance. He also joked that men were not supposed to look at women wearing the shorts because they could end up being filmed in the background of social-media videos.

The monologue covered other subjects, including Gillis’s weight loss, gym experiences, hiking alone, his sisters and personal observations. However, his remarks about women’s clothing became the focus of the subsequent backlash.

Critics objected to the derogatory label he used, arguing that women should not be insulted or sexualised simply because of their choice of workout attire. The controversy also raised a familiar question about provocative comedy: does the intention to make people laugh place a joke beyond criticism, or should its language and implications be examined as well?

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Dan Levy Slams Shane Gillis’ SNL Monologue in Instagram Video

Levy, the 43-year-old Emmy-winning actor and co-creator of Schitt’s Creek, responded in an Instagram video shared the following day, October 11, 2026.

Rather than treating the situation as a disagreement over personal taste, Levy challenged the premise behind Gillis’s joke. He argued that wearing short gym shorts does not justify describing women in degrading terms.

“Women wearing short shorts to the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them ‘whores’ misogynists. There’s a difference there.”

Levy also pointed to what he saw as a double standard around bodies in gyms, noting that men can expose their bodies in similar settings without facing the same kind of judgement.

“By the way, I’ve seen more men’s nipples at the gym than I’ve ever seen women showing their bodies off.”

He then expressed disbelief that the remarks had been delivered on live television.

“But I’m speechless that something like that can exist on live national television.”

Levy’s criticism focused on the distinction between what people choose to wear and how others respond to them. His argument was that women should not be demeaned because of their clothing and that jokes using degrading labels can reinforce unfair attitudes.

The response also shifted the discussion beyond a single episode of SNL. For Levy, the issue was not merely one comedian’s material, but the way women are represented in entertainment and how that representation may shape perceptions outside the screen.

Why Dan Levy Says More Men Must Speak Out Against Misogyny

The strongest part of Levy’s response came when he called on men to take a more active role in challenging misogynistic language.

“And to be perfectly honest, more men need to be standing up in opposition to it because it’s complacency that has created the environment in which women are sexually assaulted, and it’s a ‘conversation’ as opposed to a crime.”

Levy argued that sexual assault should not be minimised or treated as casual conversation when it is a crime. His point was that failing to challenge degrading attitudes can make it harder to address the wider treatment of women.

He continued:

“Men need to be defending women more. This is not a women’s issue. This is an everybody issue.”

He also explained why he believes objectification in entertainment and media deserves attention.

“Because the more that men objectify women in the media, the more that other men see them as objects and treat them as objects.”

Levy then made his position explicit:

“They are not objects. They are superior human beings to men, OK?”

He concluded with a remark acknowledging that his comments might provoke criticism online.

“And I’m sorry if this gets me in trouble with the internet, but f***.”

Levy was not claiming that one comedy routine directly causes sexual assault. Rather, he warned that repeatedly presenting women as objects or treating them with contempt can help normalise harmful attitudes.

His appeal also challenged the idea that opposing misogyny should be left to women alone. By asking men to speak up, Levy placed responsibility on people who might otherwise remain silent when they encounter degrading language or behaviour.

Which Celebrities Supported Dan Levy After the Shane Gillis Controversy?

Levy’s Instagram response received support from several entertainment figures, according to published reports.

People reported that Elizabeth Banks, Laraine Newman, Sophia Bush and Hacks actor Hannah Einbinder were among those who showed support in the comments on Levy’s post.

Bush wrote:

“We stan Dan,”

She added:

“Thank you.”

Banks also praised Levy’s response, writing:

“Nailed it.”

These reactions demonstrated public support for Levy’s position, although they do not establish that every celebrity or viewer shared the same opinion.

Model Tess Holliday also expressed support for Levy in reactions reported by Yahoo Entertainment. She criticised the pressure placed on women to monitor their clothing and appearance because of how others might respond.

Holliday wrote:

“The way men and other women hating folks view our bodies is absolutely destroying our society,”

She also argued that women are frequently taught not to dress or look a certain way because of other people’s reactions. Her comments broadened the debate to include bodily autonomy, unwanted attention and the scrutiny women can experience in everyday settings, including gyms and their own homes.

The responses showed how a joke about workout clothing had become a wider discussion about the expectations placed on women and whether they should be held responsible for other people’s inappropriate behaviour.

Phoebe Robinson Calls Shane Gillis’ Stand-Up Material “Mediocre”

Comedian Phoebe Robinson addressed Gillis’s remarks in a separate Instagram Reel, offering a blunt assessment of the material.

Robinson described the comedy as “mediocre bulls—” and urged Gillis to “write better” stand-up. She questioned whether audiences should continue accepting material that, in her view, uses contempt for women as a source of humour.

Her criticism overlapped with Levy’s concerns but approached the issue from a different direction. While Levy emphasised the wider social implications of objectification and the responsibility of men to challenge misogyny, Robinson attacked the premise and perceived quality of the comedy itself.

Neither response establishes that all viewers found the monologue offensive. However, the criticism came from multiple public figures and addressed both the social implications and the comedic approach behind the remarks.

Victoria Jackson Defends Shane Gillis’ SNL Gym Clothes Joke

Not everyone criticised Gillis. Victoria Jackson, a former Saturday Night Live cast member, defended his comments about women’s workout clothing.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Jackson supported his criticism of certain gym fashions, writing:

“He’s right about gym girls dressing like ‘whores.’ When did ‘camel toe’ become acceptable gym fashion and grocery shopping attire?”

Her response illustrated the disagreement over how the monologue should be interpreted. Levy and other critics focused on the derogatory characterisation of women and the wider implications of objectification. Jackson, by contrast, agreed with the substance of Gillis’s joke.

The disagreement reflects a recurring debate surrounding provocative comedy: should material that uses offensive language be understood primarily as an attempt to provoke laughter, or can the language itself reinforce damaging stereotypes?

It is also important to distinguish between criticising a particular joke and arguing that comedians should never address controversial subjects. The dispute centres on Gillis’s choice of words and the way the joke characterised women, not simply the fact that he discussed gym clothingIt is also important to distinguish between criticising a particular joke and arguing that comedians should never address controversial subjects. The dispute centres on Gillis’s choice of words and the way the joke characterised women, not simply the fact that he discussed gym clothing.

Public Reception and the Broader Cultural Debate

The controversy surrounding Shane Gillis’ monologue highlights a growing divide in how audiences and public figures perceive boundary-pushing comedy. On social media platforms, reactions were split between viewers praising Levy for calling out misogynistic language and fans defending Gillis’ right to joke about modern social trends without filters.

This divide underscores an ongoing cultural conversation regarding the responsibility of performers on mainstream networks like NBC versus the expectations of contemporary audiences. As comedy continues to evolve across live broadcasting and digital platforms, the tension between comedic freedom and social accountability remains a central topic of discussion.

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Disclaimer

The information and views expressed in this article are based on publicly reported statements, social media posts, and media coverage surrounding the referenced event. This article is intended for informational and reporting purposes only and does not imply endorsement of any political, personal, or societal views expressed by the individuals mentioned.

Sources

• People Magazine: Dan Levy Blasts Shane Gillis for ‘Misogynistic’ ‘SNL’ Monologue
• Yahoo Entertainment: Shane Gillis joked about women’s gym clothes on ‘SNL.’ Dan Levy isn’t laughing
• Entertainment Weekly & Media Coverage: Further context on the monologue controversy
• Instagram: Dan Levy and Phoebe Robinson video commentary on the SNL opening monologue

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