Canadian actor, writer, and director Dan Levy has publicly criticized comedian Shane Gillis for remarks made during his recent Saturday Night Live monologue. Gillis referred to women wearing short-shorts in the gym as being dressed like “whores.” His comments prompted significant backlash and renewed discussions surrounding misogyny.
During his monologue on October 12, 2026, Gillis addressed the attire of women in the gym, suggesting that there was "no other way to describe" how they dress and likening the color of their shorts to "artificial bait." This language sparked outrage, with many viewers and commentators taking to social media to express their disapproval and point out the implications of such derogatory language.
In response to Gillis' statements, Levy posted a video on Instagram where he addressed the issue without naming Gillis directly. He emphatically stated that women wearing short shorts do not deserve to be called whores, asserting instead that men who use such language are “misogynists.” Levy emphasized how the way women choose to dress should not invite criticism or derogatory terms and expressed his disbelief that such comments were broadcast on national television.
Levy, well-known for co-creating and starring in the acclaimed sitcom “Schitt’s Creek,” shared his shock over the remarks being aired on SNL, describing it as "speechless" that such opinions could make it to live television. His video highlighted the broader societal issues surrounding women's rights and the need for men to actively defend women against misogynistic behavior.
The incident also draws attention to Gillis' past controversies. In 2019, he faced backlash after the show rescinded his invitation to join the cast following resurfaced videos where he used a racial slur to describe Chinese people and made derogatory comments about Asians learning English. SNL's network NBC later apologized for their vetting process, which they admitted was inadequate at the time. Despite his previous controversies, Gillis has hosted the show multiple times since then.
The reaction to Gillis' recent monologue has been overwhelming, with the post garnering over 8,000 comments on Instagram. Many users referred to the monologue as "tone deaf," while others labeled Gillis as a "misogynist." Additionally, the comments intertwined with a recent lawsuit against the so-called #Cornell7, in which seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University are accused of sexually assaulting a woman after pressuring her to consume drugs and alcohol. This case has ignited public outrage and protests on campus, as students rally to support the alleged victim known as Jane Doe and share their own experiences related to sexual assault.
In his video, Levy underscored that men's inaction contributes to an environment where women face sexual assault. He called upon men to take a stand and defend women's rights, declaring that this is not just a women’s issue, but an issue that affects everyone. By encouraging men to speak out against misogyny, Levy's message seeks to foster a more respectful and safer environment for women.
The response from NBC, the network behind SNL, and representatives for Gillis was not immediately available as the controversy unfolded. The ongoing dialogue around Gillis' comments and Levy's call for solidarity underscores the pressing need for awareness and action against misogyny in society.
