✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Shane Gillis’s hosting gig felt pretty mid and lacked those viral memes we crave, but Grace Reiter absolutely ate. She brought all the main character energy and totally stole the show from him!
Shane Gillis is back on the SNL stage, but let’s be real—it wasn’t exactly giving “viral moment” energy this weekend. He brought his usual everyman vibes for his third hosting gig, but the sketches felt more like standard filler than the internet-breaking memes we live for. Even with musical guest Rosalía bringing the vibes, the episode lacked that specific spark that makes an SNL night legendary.
A Monologue and Some Mid Sketches
Gillis kicked things off with a tight monologue covering everything from his Bud Light commercials to working out with Joe Rogan and Theo Von. He leaned into some edgy territory, joking about his hair looking like an Adolph Hitler haircut and complaining about gym culture. The sketches followed a similar pattern, including him playing a cop talk show host who just arrests everyone and a country music video where he ends up hooking up with Ms. Pac-Man in a cloud of black mold. There was even a Green Eggs and Ham sketch featuring Mikey Day as the Cat in the Hat where Gillis accidentally dropped an F-bomb. The comedian delivered several on-brand sketches that featured his signature everyman sense of humor, but no water cooler moments worth meme-ifying.
💫 The comedian delivered several on-brand sketches that featured his signature everyman sense of humor, but no water cooler moments worth meme-ifying.
This hosting stint comes after a rocky history with NBC; Gillis was famously removed from the featured cast back in 2024/2025 following resurfaced videos of him mocking Asian accents and using ethnic and gay slurs. The comedy this weekend didn’t stop there, with segments ranging from a History Channel parody about the invention of sneakers to an honest, chaotic heating and AC commercial. Despite the variety, many viewers felt the content stayed pretty safe within his established brand. It’s definitely a far cry from the massive cultural shifts we see when hosting gigs truly land.
Grace Reiter is the Real MVP
If anyone actually saved this episode, it was new cast member Grace Reiter. She is officially proving she belongs in the lineup, especially during a “Weekend Update” segment where she played a bratty problem child named Coco opposite Ashley Padilla. Her comedic timing as the daughter publicly embarrassing her mom was immaculate.
Reiter also shared some hilarious scenes with Gillis, including a sketch where she plays his mother while Sarah Sherman acts as a hospice nurse delivering bad news. This led into a wild scene involving Jelly Roll (played by Ben Marshall), Marcello Hernandez as Jesus, and Rosalía as a horny divorcee. Reiter even closed out the night in a chess tournament sketch, playing an ex-wife who transitions from arguing with Gillis to inappropriate flirtation. Reiter was certainly a bright spot on an otherwise dull episode. Even if Gillis’ hosting stint felt a bit flat, Reiter has major main character energy.
Do you think Shane Gillis needs more time to find his footing on SNL?
❓ People Also Ask
What were the highlights of Grace Reiter's performance during the SNL episode?
Grace Reiter stood out as a major highlight by delivering several high-energy comedic performances throughout the episode. She showcased her talent during a Weekend Update segment where she played a bratty child named Coco opposite Ashley Padilla. Additionally, she displayed impressive comedic timing in a sketch playing Shane Gillis's mother and appeared in a chess tournament scene playing an ex-wife. Her versatile performances provided a much-needed spark to an episode that many viewers otherwise found to be somewhat lackluster.
Why was Shane Gillis's previous history with SNL considered controversial?
Shane Gillis had a rocky history with NBC after being removed from the featured cast following the resurfacing of old videos. These controversial clips showed him mocking Asian accents and using various ethnic and gay slurs. This past controversy shaped the context of his return to the stage for his third hosting gig. While his recent performance leaned into his signature everyman humor, his previous removal remains a significant part of his complicated relationship with the show.
How did Shane Gillis approach his monologue during his hosting appearance?
Shane Gillis used his monologue to lean into his established everyman brand by discussing personal and pop culture topics. He covered subjects ranging from his Bud Light commercials to his experiences working out with figures like Joe Rogan and Theo Von. He also utilized edgy humor by joking about his hair looking like an Adolph Hitler haircut. The monologue served to set a familiar tone for his performance, even if the sketches that followed failed to create viral moments.
What kind of sketches were featured during the recent SNL episode?
The episode featured a wide variety of sketches ranging from historical parodies to absurd commercial spoofs. Notable segments included a History Channel parody about the invention of sneakers and a chaotic commercial for heating and air conditioning. Other sketches involved Gillis playing a cop talk show host and a bizarre country music video featuring Ms. Pac-Man. Despite the diverse range of topics, many viewers felt the sketches remained relatively safe within Gillis's established comedic style.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: Deadline