Shane Gillis might have thought his SNL hosting debut would be all laughs, but the comedian is learning that words have consequences—especially when it comes to critiquing women's gym wear. On Monday, former Saturday Night Live cast member Ego Nwodim fired back with a subtle yet savage troll, using her own workout wardrobe as the punchline.
Gillis, who was famously axed from SNL in 2019 just five days after being hired, returned to Studio 8H this past weekend as a celebrity host. But his monologue didn't sit well with everyone. During his set, he joked about the gym experience, saying, "Going to the public gym as a fat guy, especially in New York, is a nightmare... Also, I haven't been to the gym in so long. I didn't know women just dressed like whores now." He then doubled down, referencing women's shorts and asking, "Have you seen the shorts?"
The comments quickly drew backlash, with many calling them misogynistic. Among those speaking out was Dan Levy, the Schitt's Creek star, who took to Instagram to condemn Gillis. "Women wearing shorts at the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists," Levy said in a reel. "I'm speechless that something like that can exist on live national television."
But it was Nwodim's response that really turned heads. The comedian, who spent seven seasons on SNL from 2018 to 2025, took to her Instagram Story on Monday afternoon with a photo of herself in gym attire—a clear and clever jab at Gillis's remarks. While she didn't explicitly mention his name, the timing and context made her message loud and clear: women can wear whatever they want to the gym, and they don't need a man's approval.
Nwodim's troll is just the latest in a string of reactions to Gillis's controversial monologue. The comedian, who now stars in the Netflix series Tires, has yet to publicly address the fallout. But the internet hasn't forgotten, and neither have his critics.
This isn't the first time a comedian's jokes about women's attire have sparked outrage. Just last month, a gym woman fired back at outfit critics after a similar incident involving Gillis's SNL joke. And earlier this year, a gym-goer's outfit was a direct jab at Shane Gillis after his controversial comments. Clearly, people are tired of being policed for what they wear while working out.
Gillis's history with SNL is complicated. He was hired as a cast member in 2019 but was fired days later after old racist and homophobic remarks surfaced. His return as host was seen by some as a redemption arc, but his monologue may have undone any goodwill he'd built. The controversy has reignited debates about comedy, free speech, and the line between humor and harm.
For now, Nwodim's silent but pointed response speaks volumes. She didn't need a monologue or a social media rant—just a gym selfie and impeccable timing. And in the court of public opinion, that might be the most effective comeback of all.
As for Gillis, he's staying quiet. But with stars like Levy and Nwodim calling him out, he might want to reconsider his next gym joke. After all, in 2026, women aren't just dressing for the gym—they're dressing for themselves. And they're not afraid to call out anyone who says otherwise.
