Dan Levy Calls Out Shane Gillis Over Sexist SNL Joke, and Darling, He Has a Point

Dan Levy has criticised comedian Shane Gillis over his controversial Saturday Night Live monologue, calling out comments about women’s clothing and urging more men to challenge misogyny.

The Schitt’s Creek star shared a video on Instagram after Gillis hosted the American comedy programme on 10 October 2026, during which he made derogatory remarks about women wearing revealing gym clothes.

And let’s just say Levy wasn’t particularly impressed.

While Gillis’s comments were delivered as part of a comedy routine, Levy argued that normalising language which humiliates women contributes to a wider culture of objectification and disrespect.

In a world where women are still regularly criticised for everything from their clothes to their bodies, his response has struck a chord.

What Did Shane Gillis Say on Saturday Night Live?

During his opening monologue, Gillis joked about returning to the gym and being surprised by how revealing some women’s workout clothes had become.

He used the word ‘whores’ to describe women wearing short shorts and made further comments about their appearance.

The remarks drew criticism from viewers and public figures who considered the routine degrading rather than particularly funny.

Comedy has always pushed boundaries, and Gillis’s style frequently relies on provocation. Supporters of this approach argue that comedians should be free to joke about uncomfortable or controversial subjects.

However, critics have questioned whether describing women in degrading terms simply reinforces attitudes that have been challenged for decades.

There is a difference between making an observation about modern gym culture and turning women’s bodies into the punchline.

And, darling, originality is still an option.

Dan Levy Responds to Shane Gillis: ‘Men Need to Be Defending Women More’

Levy responded in an Instagram video, arguing that women’s clothing does not justify the language Gillis used.

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The actor criticised the double standard whereby men’s bodies can be visible in public without attracting the same judgement directed towards women.

He also challenged men who remain silent when misogynistic attitudes are normalised.

For Levy, the issue extends beyond whether one comedy routine was offensive. His argument concerns the way repeated objectification can contribute to a culture in which women are treated with less dignity and respect.

His comments were welcomed by several entertainment figures, including Elizabeth Banks and Hannah Einbinder.

Levy’s central message was straightforward: men have a responsibility to speak up rather than leaving women to challenge misogyny alone.

And frankly, that’s a much more useful form of masculinity than policing someone else’s gym shorts.

Why Dan Levy’s Response Matters Beyond Celebrity Gossip

Levy has become one of television’s most recognisable openly gay actors and writers, particularly through his portrayal of David Rose in Schitt’s Creek.

The character’s story helped bring LGBTQ+ relationships to a mainstream audience, demonstrating how comedy can challenge stereotypes without requiring marginalised people to become the target of humiliation.

That experience gives Levy’s intervention an interesting cultural dimension.

His criticism of Gillis is not simply a disagreement between two comedians. It reflects a broader debate about how entertainment influences attitudes towards gender, sexuality and identity.

LGBTQ+ communities have long experienced the consequences of being reduced to jokes, stereotypes or political talking points.

That does not mean comedy should become humourless or that comedians must avoid difficult subjects.

It means audiences can reasonably expect performers to do something more inventive than recycling the same tired prejudices.

Because comedy has survived centuries of social change. Surely it can survive the terrifying prospect of respecting women.

Can Comedy Be Provocative Without Being Misogynistic?

The debate raises an important distinction between freedom of expression and freedom from criticism.

Gillis has the right to perform provocative comedy, and audiences have the right to decide whether they find it funny.

Equally, Levy has every right to challenge language he believes contributes to harmful attitudes.

Criticising a joke is not the same thing as demanding that comedy disappear. It is part of the public conversation that follows when a performer speaks to millions of viewers.

The strongest comedians often expose hypocrisy, challenge powerful institutions or make audiences reconsider their assumptions.

Punching down, by contrast, can feel like the easiest joke in the room.

And in this case, Levy’s response has brought the focus back to the people who were originally being mocked.

A Little Less Misogyny, a Little More Accountability

The controversy surrounding Gillis’s monologue may eventually fade from the headlines, but the wider conversation about the treatment of women in entertainment is unlikely to disappear.

Levy’s willingness to speak publicly is a reminder that challenging sexism should not be left exclusively to women.

Men can question harmful language, reject double standards and help create environments where respect is ordinary rather than exceptional.

None of that requires abandoning humour or turning every disagreement into a moral emergency.

It simply requires recognising that a joke can be criticised without the world coming to an end.

And if your best material depends on calling women names for wearing shorts, babe, perhaps it’s time to head back to the writers’ room.