Michael Che Addresses Shane Gillis Monologue Controversy During Today Interview

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Che addressed the controversy surrounding Shane Gillis's recent hosting monologue during an interview on NBC's Today on Thursday. According to reports from the AV Club, The Wrap, and Page Six, Che appeared on the morning news program to promote a new Netflix stand-up special when host Laura Jarrett questioned him about Gillis's jokes regarding women at the gym. [1][2][10]

During the interview, Jarrett asked Che directly if he found the monologue remarks funny. The AV Club and The Wrap reported that Che deflected the questions, stating, "That is comedy. It is like, you think it is funny and then some people do not." Che added that he could not criticize Gillis and noted he was distracted during the live broadcast while reading his own cue cards. [1][2]

The exchange follows online backlash against Gillis after his recent hosting appearance on the NBC sketch comedy series. Deadline reported that comedian Kathy Griffin publicly criticized Gillis following his monologue remarks, while TV Insider noted that the episode's overall viewership ratings were heavily scrutinized in the wake of the public reaction. [4][6]

Che has served as a co-anchor on SNL's Weekend Update segment alongside Colin Jost since 2014, and previously held a co-head writer title on the show from 2017 to 2022. Gillis was briefly hired as an SNL cast member in 2019 before being removed from the show following controversy over past podcast remarks, though he has since returned as a guest host. [12][13][15]