Saturday Night’s Biggest Problem: Why the Wrong Person Answered for SNL
A joke that landed
During her Halloween episode monologue, Navarrette linked her Marvel workout routine to Gillis’ remarks about women at the gym. She said she puts on her “little whore outfit” before lifting weights, turning his wording back on him.
Navarrette also appeared as a ghost, a game-show contestant and a telenovela star. The episode displayed her comic range, and the Gillis callback was a highlight without needing to define her debut.
What Gillis said
In an October 10 monologue, Gillis called women at the gym “whores” because of their clothing and complained that men were expected not to stare. The joke made women the target and treated men’s desire to look at their bodies as its punchline.
Actor Dan Levy rejected that framing, saying women’s clothes do not make them “whores” and calling them that misogynistic. He also urged more men to speak up.
Responsibility belongs to SNL
Navarrette chose to address the controversy and delivered the joke confidently. But she was 25 and making her hosting debut, and she had no role in Gillis’ monologue; she was not responsible for cleaning up after it.
SNL had other options. Cast members could have addressed the issue in a sketch, or Colin Jost and Michael Che could have discussed it on Weekend Update. Instead, a guest host delivered the most visible response weeks later.
A wider question for the show
The episode left SNL’s regular cast and the show itself largely outside the exchange. Levy’s criticism also raised a broader question about why women are often expected to challenge misogynistic remarks while men remain quiet.
The article contrasts SNL’s response with SNL UK’s treatment of Gillis’ comments and political material, including coverage involving Ed Sheeran and Palestine. It says the American show’s regular performers can seem distant from its sharpest commentary when topics become uncomfortable.
Key points
- Navarrette’s joke turned Gillis’ wording back on him.
- Gillis made the remarks during an October 10 monologue.
- The hosting debut’s clearest response came from a guest, not SNL’s regular performers.
- Dan Levy called the language misogynistic and urged more men to speak up.