Shane Gillis Should Thank “SNL” He Cancelled

The troupe formerly dubbed the Not Ready for Prime-Time Players These days, we could all use some assistance.

“Saturday Night Live” The show is now a shell, adopting approved comic narratives and not mocking the current Commander-in-Chief. The National Lampoon tradition is known for its cutting-edge humor. This show recycles old Trump gags and avoids the woke overreach.

This killer “SNL” Bit dates go back to 2017.

“SNL” You could use someone like Shane Gillis It’s right now.

Except that NBC hired Gillis briefly in 2019 to join its storied show, before firing him a few days later.

Why?

Someone “unearthed” examples of Gillis using crude language He includes gay and Asian people into his comedy routines.

Jokes. Jokes that are tasteless What did it matter if the jokes were tasteless? “in character” What time was it? No. In our waking age, context is no longer relevant.

And Gillis’ “SNL” Dreams vanished because Lorne Michaels, show founder, feared more than comedy defending itself against sponsors.

RELATED: THEWRAP.COM, TRUMP AGREE: CANCEL ‘SNL’

That could have been the end of Gillis’ career, or at least the start of a precipitous decline. But he continued to work. The audience learned what else he could do. “SNL” You can’t mix jokes and policy statements.

The comedian’s “Gilly and Keeves” Channel is more provocative than most and has a greater sense of humor than any other channel. “SNL” skits. The duo creates the kind of button-pushing clips that aren’t fit for broadcast TV but still deliver big, bold laughs.

(Warning: Mature language)

It has almost 400K subscribers on YouTube, and each clip regularly exceeds one million views.

“Shane Gillis Live in Austin” Since its debut Sept. 2021, it has been viewed nearly 9,000,000 times. “and practically no attention from the mainstream media,” According to a favorable New Yorker profile Gillis, earlier in the year 

Gillis now plays clubs that are larger than usual “Chuckle Shack” Or “Yuks-a-Porium.”

His two April 2023 performances as Denver’s Paramount Theater (seating capacity: 1,800-plus seats) sold so well he added a third show to meet the demand.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Due to popular demand, a THIRD @Shanemgillis The show will be held on April 2nd at 7PM. Tickets on sale now!
🎟: https://t.co/iMkbuxsqCo pic.twitter.com/cpcBX0A5s1

— Paramount Denver (@paramountdenver) December 16, 2022

He’s slated to play two nights at Atlanta’s Center Stage Theatre and will join Bert Kreischer and Mark Normand for three shows at Mullett Arena Tempe, Arizona

Gillis’ career might have cratered in another era. “SNL” The comedy scene is not the same as it was once. Digital platforms have made it possible for comics to reach new audiences in exciting and innovative ways.

Standing ups are like Chrissie Mayr, Tyler Fischer, Tim Dillon Ryan Long There is little to no connection between them and mainstream comedy. They don’t do five-minute routines on Kimmel or Colbert, and “SNL” It would never tap them for combustible comedy bits.

Gillis follows in that tradition, following his example. “Gilly and Keeves” Work and “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast.” And he’s drawn some serious admirers, from Andrew Yang to Louis C.K. 

Meanwhile, “SNL” Week after week, its legacy was ripped to shreds. Skit after skit, afraid of offending sponsors. TV critics woke up and the approvals of the cocktail circuit elite.

Gillis suffered three losses in 2019, but he came out with his dignity intact, and a new crowd eager to hear more from him.

He has no more need “SNL,” However, he is needed for the sagging show.