Shane Gillis Is Glad He Was Fired from ‘Saturday Night Live’

Days after hosting Saturday Night Live, Shane Gillis expressed gratitude for being fired from the legendary sketch comedy show in 2019, saying on SiriusXM’s The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly that everything “worked out” for him in the end.

“It is a really f***ing hard job, I don’t know how they do it,” Shane said he was told of working at SNL. “So everybody this whole time has been like, ‘You dodged a bullet. You wouldn’t have fit in there.’ And I’ve been like,’ I don’t know, I think I could’ve done it.’ One week [of doing ‘SNL’], I was like, ‘Nah. This worked out.’”

Shane Gillis returns to Saturday Night Live

On February 24, Gillis briefly referenced his firing in his opening monologue as SNL host. “Don’t look that up,” he joked after walking onstage to greet the audience. “If you don’t know who I am, please don’t Google that.”

Known for his brash humor, Gillis has never been one to shy away from controversy. The comedian was hired as a cast member for SNL’s 45th season and faced backlash shortly after his selection due to the resurfacing of past offensive remarks. Critics accused him of making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in his stand-up routines and podcast appearances. Amid the uproar, SNL swiftly parted ways with Gillis, citing the need to uphold the show’s standards of inclusivity and respect.

Lorne Michaels was glad Shane Gillis proved he was right

Additionally, Gillis revealed to Big Jay and Bobby that Saturday Night Live creator and producer Lorne Michaels remained in contact with Gillis and appeared to be happy that he proved he was funny.

“Lorne was always in contact with me over the years,” Gillis said. “I think he always wanted me on the show. I think he wanted to prove that he was right.”

The Bonfire with Big Jay Oakerson and Robert Kelly on SiriusXM Faction Talk

The Bonfire – hosted by comedians Big Jay Oakerson and Bobby Kelly – airs live every Monday-Thursday from 5-7pm ET on SiriusXM Faction Talk (channel 103). In addition to The Bonfire, the channel also airs Jim Norton & Sam Roberts Mornings, The Bennington Show, Trunk Nation, and more.

Listen to recent episodes of The Bonfire on the SiriusXM app or wherever you get your podcasts.