Michael Che has no update.
The Saturday Night Live cast member stealthily avoided sharing his thoughts on Shane Gillis’ controversial monologue Oct. 10, admitting he wasn’t aware of the jokes—in which he said women “dressed like wh–es” at the gym nowadays—until it aired.
“That’s comedy,” Che told Laura Jarrett during an Oct. 15 appearance on the Today show. “You think it’s funny and then…some people don’t.”
The 43-year-old—who has hosted the series’ Weekend Update segment alongside Colin Jost since 2014—admitted he didn’t even witness the Tires star’s monologue before it started making rounds online.
“I was at cue cards worrying about what I was gonna say that was gonna make people upset,” he explained. “I didn’t even see it until the next day.”
When it came to the content of Gillis’ monologue, Che claimed he “didn’t think about” the problematic nature of his jokes, feigning a ‘it went over my head’ motion.
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“Speechless” Dan Levy Calls Out Shane Gillis Over Controversial SNL Monologue
“There’s so much going on, it’s really hard to see what else is going on,” the comedian said. “Especially for me, I’m not what they call ‘good at my job’ so I don’t pay attention to a lot.”
As he put it, “That’s why I focus on Update because it’s not something I’m natural at so I gotta really, really work at it.”
While Che didn’t have a punchy headline to deliver concerning the situation as he does so easily on the Update desk, he previously admitted he knew the situation was going to prompt some burning questions.
“Gotta do press this week to promote the special,” Che, whose comedy hour Michael Che: Shot inMinnesota released on Netflix Oct. 13, “Wonder what every f–king question is going to be about. Thanks a lot Shane.”
Meanwhile, some SNL stars who have already exited Studio 8H for good did not hold back when it came to showing how they really felt about Gillis’ joke.
Ego Nwodim, who left the sketch show last year after seven seasons, shared a selfie at the gym the day after Gillis’ monologue aired, quipping, “Wh–e reporting for duty.”
And Cecily Strong—who previously hosted Update during her 11-season tenure on SNL before exiting in 2022—similarly shared a photo of herself wearing gym clothes to clap back at Gillis.
“On my way to Pilates in my new sl–ty ass orange shoes and rainbow socks,” Strong wrote in an Instagram Story Oct. 13. “Might sell sex on the way, not sure.”
Gillis, meanwhile, has opted to plead the fifth when it comes to the backlash his monologue joke received. The 38-year-old did, however, apology for using an expletive during a sketch also during his Oct. 10 hosting gig. (The Federal Communications Commission can fine up to $325,000 for an expletive used on broadcast television.)
“Sorry about earlier,” Gillis said while closing out the show alongside musical guest Rosalía. “Thank you very much. I had a good time.”
For more memorable SNL hosts, keep reading…
Rosalind O’Connor/NBCKim KardashianThe Kardashians star poked fun at her relationship with ex Kanye West, her connection to O.J. Simpson and her sister Kourtney Kardashian’s PDA-heavy romance with now-husband Travis Barker. But she really took flight in an Aladdin-themed sketch that saw her kiss cast member Pete Davidson. The pair would go on to date for nine months. Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesTom HanksWith 10 hosting gigs under his belt—including the show’s first remotely-filmed episode back in April 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic—you know that when America’s Dad is in Studio 8H, you’re in for a wonderful time. Don’t believe us? We have just three words for you: David. S. Pumpkins.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesJon HammHamm left audiences stunned with his considerable comedic chops when he hosted for the first time in 2008. He’s has sinced followed up two more times and has had a handful of surprise cameos.
From his unforgettable “Jon Hamm’s John Ham” sketch—you know, lunch meat you eat on the toilet—to his live-action Ace in an adaptation of the iconic Ambiguously Gay Duo animated sketch, he’s ingratiated himself with cast in a way few other hosts ever have.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesMelissa McCarthyThere is arguably no one on this planet more committed to their craft than the Bridesmaids legend. Case in point? The “Taste Test” sketch in her first at bat as host, back in 2011, when she covered herself in Hidden Valley ranch dressing for a gag.
In less than a decade, she’s already joined the infamous Five-Timers Club, and even began making semi-regular appearances a particularly enraged Sean Spicer during his brief tenure in the Trump administration.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesJustin TimberlakeNearly every celeb on this list could’ve become a full-time cast member on SNL, easily. And for a time there, it seemed like JT actually might. From “Omletteville,” “D–k in a Box,” and “Barry Gibb Talk Show” to “Mother Lover,” each of Timberlake’s five appearances as host made moments that permeated pop culture. And his appearance as one of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” back-up dancers alongside Bobby Moynihan and Andy Samberg? Amazing.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesSteve MartinThere are few people who have hosted SNL more than the legendary comedian—in fact, there’s only one—and in his 16 stints in Studio 8H between 1976 and 2009, he created memorable characters (the “wild and crazy” Festrunk Brothers, King Tut) and delivered what would become one of the show’s most heartfelt moments, honoring Gilda Radner’s passing from cancer with a look back at a blissful dance the two shared through the studio.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesScarlett JohanssonNot only is ScarJo part of the SNL family thanks to her romance with Colin Jost, but the six-time host has created some indelible moments over the years since her debut in 2006.
She’s been on hand for whenever the show needed someone to step into Ivanka Trump’s shoes, appeared in the grotesque Shud the Mermaid sketch opposite Kate McKinnon and played Lexi (daughter to Fred Armisen’s Mark) as the duo hawk chandeliers, ceramic busts, marble columns and porcelain fountains in the fan-favorite sketch.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesBetty WhiteUnlike everyone else on this list (save for Kim Kardashian), the late TV icon only hosted SNL once. And, at 88 years old, she became the show’s oldest host in its history. The appearance was made even more special because it was literally fan-demanded through a successful Facebook campaign after White’s role in The Proposal. She’s also on this list because, well, she was freaking hilarious. Our favorite sketch from the episode is this absurd one where Tina Fey’s census taker tries, in vain, to get a straight answer out of White.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesDwayne JohnsonA member of the Five Timer’s Club, Johnson earned his spot on this list the minute he agreed to do The Rock Obama. Enough said.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty ImagesAlec BaldwinWith 17 official hosting gigs on his resume and countless appearances as former President Donald Trump, Baldwin may be the only star not officially on the payroll who is more closely associated with SNL. From classics like Canteen Boy and Schweddy Balls to impressions of Tony Bennett and, yes, Trump, Baldwin has given fans so much during his many, many visits to Studio 8H.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
