Shane Gillis Is a Bad Host of a Bad 'SNL' Episode

Cold Open — Very mixed feelings about the Cold Open—a reenactment, of sorts, of the Trump/Zelensky meeting. Glad we still live in a country where SNL can parody the event; hate that we live in a country where an event like that exists to be parodied. Anyway, Mike Myers makes an unexpected appearance as Elon Musk, and aside from the British accent (why?), it’s a hilarious parody, as in a “humiliating” one. (Score: 5.5 out of 10)

Shane Gillis Monologue — You’d think stand-ups — especially red-state stand-ups — would have had their SNL monologue prepped weeks in advance, or at least pulled from their existing acts. Instead, Gillis’ monologue feels like it was scrawled on a piece of toilet paper an hour before the show. At least one person laughed, though: Shane Gillis. He thinks he’s hilarious. This is his second SNL monologue, and he has bombed both times. And honestly, “Did you sleep with a Black guy” jokes? In 2025? (Score: 2 out of 10)

Wine Tour — A whole sketch where Heidi Gardner stands in front of an orange tree and berates her boyfriend into taking better pictures of her, his hot girlfriend, while her parents stand by, annoyed. Does the typical Shane Gillis fan find this funny? Because it’s obnoxious, at best. (Watch Here) (Score: 2 out of 10)

Coupla Beers — Alright, I’m going to try and get past my loathing for Gillis after that monologue and grade this one objectively. It’s an ad for a medication called Coupla Beers, which helps this meathead out of his funk. Now, instead of being depressed, he’s an obnoxious drunk. The joke is about alcoholism, see? (Score: 4.5 out of 10)

Mid-Day News — OK, this one was legit amusing: During the local news, the white anchors and Black anchors celebrate whenever a crime is committed by someone not of their race, turning it into a game. It’s like a Shane Gillis joke that Kenan and Ego flipped on its head. Good stuff. (Score: 6 out of 10)

Dad’s House — It’s a Mr. Rogers-like show, except the host is a deadbeat single dad on his weekend with the kids. Honestly, the premise was OK, but they only managed to squeeze maybe one and a half jokes out of it. Also, the Vienna sausages with maple syrup did not help my hangover. (Watch Here) (Score: 3.5 out of 10)

Please Don’t Destroy! — It’s The Voice, and after hearing the contestant’s great singing voice during blind auditions, the judges turn around to see a dude with bad bangs and serial killer glasses riding in a cart. They repeatedly reject him because everything he says is disgusting. THIS is a character Gillis can play well. Bravo! You’ve found his lane, SNL: Creepy pedos! Mat: Here’s your sketch of the week! Also, good to see the Please Don’t Destroy guys. Sort of. (Score: 6 out of 10)

Weekend Update — Pretty solid Update, though, once again, even making jokes about the news feels as embarrassing as it is funny. Like, how is this our reality? Marcello Hernandez is a delight, but his “Movie Guy” character predicting the Oscars for films he hasn’t seen doesn’t work (watch here). However, Jane Wickline — per usual — is terrific, singing a Gen Z woo song about the trolley problem. It’s perfection, but I clearly have a predisposition for Wickline’s sense of humor. She’s like the anti-Gillis. (Score: 7 out of 10)

Wedding Interruption — During their vows, a couple is interrupted by the bride’s ex-boyfriend, who has come to redeem his “One Free Hand Job” coupon from years ago, which is good for “anytime, anywhere.” You can probably guess where the rest of the sketch goes. (Watch here) (Score: 4.5 out of 10)

Doctor’s Visit — Gillis visits a doctor whom he recognizes from middle school as the kid who could blow himself. That’s the joke. The entire sketch revolves around that one joke. DIY: Dong in Yourself. (Watch Here) (Score: 3.5 out of 10)

Average Score: 4.45 out of 10 — His first episode wasn’t good, so I don’t really understand why Lorne Michaels decided to bring him back. I mean, even if Michaels just wants a broader comedic perspective, there has to be a better red-state comic, right? Right? There is Nate Bartgatze, but I suppose he can’t host another episode this season. That’s a shame.

Mike Myers, Canadian legend, on SNL tonight.

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— Brent Toderian (@brenttoderian.bsky.social) March 2, 2025 at 1:55 AM