Shane Gillis Addresses SNL Firing Controversy | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Comedian's journey from SNL casting to cancellation due to controversial podcast remarks.

Key Insights

• 😓 The comedian transitioned from being poor and unknown to being cast on SNL.
• 😟 Nervous but confident, the comedian performed stand-up for SNL producers during the audition.
• 🥺 The comedian's controversial podcast remarks led to his swift cancellation from SNL.
• 🔉 Cancel culture and the impact of social media scrutiny on comedians are discussed.
• 🍉 The comedian highlights the importance of finding immunity to cancel culture for long-term success.
• 👏 Creative projects like the comedian's comedy sketches are praised for their originality and humor.
• ❓ The production and financing of the comedian's content, including collaborations with writers, are explored.

Transcript

the jurgen experience what was your experience like with the whole snl debacle thing what was that like uh it's very very crazy i don't know it's tough to there's not many people that have you can even talk to him about it you know because it [ __ ] you up a little like it makes you like uh not trust people and [ __ ] for a while like in what way i... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the comedian's initial reaction to being cast on SNL?

Initially skeptical and uninterested in SNL, the comedian was surprised to be cast on the show after a successful audition.

Q: How did the comedian's podcast controversy impact his SNL experience?

The comedian faced backlash and criticisms following the resurfacing of controversial podcast remarks, leading to his swift cancellation from SNL.

Q: How did the comedian feel during the audition for SNL?

The comedian felt nervous but confident during the SNL audition, delivering a successful stand-up performance despite initial doubts.

Q: What advice did the comedian receive regarding dealing with cancel culture?

The comedian emphasizes the importance of developing immunity to cancel culture and finding perspective to navigate the challenges it presents.

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their experience with the SNL debacle and cancel culture. They discuss their audition process, meeting with Lauren Michaels, and the aftermath of being announced as a cast member. They also talk about the negative backlash they received and the impact it had on them. The conversation shifts to the speaker's comedy sketches and their thoughts on cancel culture.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the speaker's experience like with the SNL debacle?

The speaker describes their experience as crazy and tough. They explain that going through something like this makes it difficult to trust people and affects them emotionally.

Q: What happened leading up to the speaker's audition for SNL?

The speaker didn't initially plan to audition for SNL as a writer, but their agents convinced them to give it a shot. They were then invited to audition directly on the main stage, despite their reservations about fitting in with the show.

Q: How did the speaker feel during their SNL audition?

Initially, the speaker didn't feel nervous and was hanging out in the green room. However, the nerves hit them when it was their turn to perform. They describe the surreal feeling of performing on the main stage in front of a camera.

Q: Did the speaker have any expectations after their audition?

After the audition, the speaker ran into Michael Che and expressed their nervousness. Che assured them that their performance was good. Later, they received a call back and met with Lauren Michaels, where he expressed his intention to use them on the show.

Q: Did the speaker expect to be offered a writing position on SNL?

The speaker thought they might be offered a writing position, as it is typical for newcomers to work on the show to get a feel for it. However, they didn't have any interest in being a writer and didn't want to work in that capacity.

Q: What happened when the speaker was offered a spot in the cast?

The speaker was asked to join the cast directly, skipping the writing stage. This decision surprised them as they expected to be offered a writing position instead.

Q: What concerns did the speaker have about their podcast during the SNL process?

The speaker had concerns about their podcast content, which often included controversial and explicit language. They worried that it might become an issue during the vetting process.

Q: How did the speaker's announcement as an SNL cast member go?

The speaker describes the announcement as cool and exciting, with many people reaching out to congratulate them. However, their joy only lasted a few hours before an article was released, highlighting a controversial clip from their podcast.

Q: How did the speaker handle the negative backlash and criticism?

The speaker admits to reading all the negative comments and articles, against the advice of others. They share that even when receiving many positive comments, one negative comment can have a significant impact on them.

Q: Did the speaker encounter any difficulties during their time on SNL?

The speaker shares that there were ongoing efforts to get them fired and that the controversy surrounding them didn't dissipate. However, they believe in the quality of their work, specifically mentioning their comedy sketches.

Q: How did the speaker finance their comedy sketches?

The speaker funded half of their sketches, while a production company financed the other half. They praise the writer and production team they worked with, specifically mentioning the Trump speed dating sketch.

Takeaways

The speaker's experience with the SNL debacle and cancel culture taught them important lessons about trust, resilience, and the true nature of comedy. They express their belief that going through a cancellation can lead to personal growth and a stronger understanding of the industry. They also discuss the challenges of dealing with negative backlash and emphasize the importance of maintaining a sense of humor. Overall, the speaker's determination to focus on their comedy and continue creating exceptional sketches shines through.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Comedian shares his journey from poor stand-up comic to SNL cast member.

• Recounts audition nerves and surreal experience of performing for SNL producers.

• Details the fallout after controversial podcast remarks led to cancellation.