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Gillis is not the first person to hostSNLand attempt to do potentially controversial material.
talked about child molestation in 2015.
Chris Rock talked about how hed never go into the Freedom Tower in 2014.
Thats why I like the Wayans brothers.
Just a year ago,Woody Harrelson used his monologueto offer up some COVID-19 conspiracies.
Some of those hosts monologues generated backlash the next day, but they all killed on the night.
For better or worse, those hosts got away with it.
Thats the art and its what Gillis failed to do.
Gilliss monologue made me think ofAnthony Jeselniks 2023 appearance on Theo VonsThis Past Weekendpodcast.
All these comics now, its like almost the point is to get in trouble.
Its like, Why are you giving me shit?
Im allowed to say whatever I want, Jeselnik explained.
Thats wrong, as far as Im concerned.
He then offers a quote from Andy Warhol: Art is getting away with it.
you might talk about sensitive issues, like sexuality or disabilities, but the audience needs to leave happy.
Thats art, Jeselnik added.
Otherwise, youre just a troll.
They celebrated him being a troll on the biggest stage.
But thats a misread on Gilliss comedy.
Hes not a troll comedian.
And that ability to walk the line is what has earned him fans from all over the comedy spectrum.
This energy extends into his next bits.
Later in the set, he says, I can see everyone not enjoying it.
Just the most nervous Ive ever been.
Its surprising no one told him beforehand to act like hes killing no matter what.
This is the risk of asking someone to host who has no TV experience.
(Gillis was even more uncomfortable during the live sketches, where he struggled to read cue cards.)
But he clearly is rattled.
And Gillis both explicitly and implicitly told the audience he shouldnt be and it wasnt.
