On October 12, 2026, Shane Gillis delivered a monologue on Saturday Night Live. During the monologue he said that women who wear short‑shorts to the gym are dressed like "whores." The remark generated significant online criticism. Saturday Night Live broadcasts live on national television.
Later the same day, Dan Levy posted an Instagram video responding to the monologue. In the video he said, "Women wearing short shorts to the gym does not make them whores. It makes the men calling them whores misogynists." He also said, "I’m speechless that something like that can exist on live national television." Levy expressed shock that the comment aired.
Dan Levy Slams Shane Gillis' 'SNL' Monologue: "Speechless That Something Like That Can Exist On Live National Television" https://t.co/VcZARD8MjB
Levy used the moment to urge men to take responsibility for confronting sexist remarks. He stated, "Men need to be defending women more. This is not a women’s issue, it’s an everybody issue." He argued that allowing such language creates environments where sexual assault can thrive.
Many of those comments referenced a separate legal case involving seven members of a Cornell University fraternity accused of sexual assault.
The monologue prompted a strong reaction on social media. SNL’s Instagram post of the clip received 8,000 comments. Many of those comments referenced a separate legal case involving seven members of a Cornell University fraternity accused of sexual assault.
Dan Levy ‘speechless’ after Shane Gillis’ SNL monologue on women’s gym clothing https://t.co/NuXCiwPBHq https://t.co/HQcWzUBI4X
This was not the first time Gillis had faced backlash from the show. In January 1, 2019, Saturday Night Live rescinded his invitation to join the cast after a video resurfaced in which he used a racial slur. He later returned to host the program.
On September 1, 2026, a lawsuit was filed against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The suit alleges that the men sexually assaulted a woman. The alleged assault is said to have occurred in 2024.
The debate continued online. The remarks prompted discussion about sexism and allegations of misconduct.