David Spade tells critics to ‘relax’ as Shane Gillis faces backlash over ‘SNL’ joke

David Spade has weighed in on the recent backlash surrounding Shane Gillis, telling critics to relax after the comedian sparked controversy during his Saturday Night Live monologue. Gillis faced intense criticism online after mocking women at the gym during his comedy set on the late-night sketch program.

During an episode of the Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade podcast, the hosts addressed the heavy public reaction to Gillis' appearance. Gillis had drawn criticism for comments made during his routine, including remarks about women wearing certain gym shorts. Spade argued that people have become overly comfortable being offended and defended the fundamental right of stand-up comedians to push boundaries, even when material does not land smoothly with every viewer.

Dana Carvey also chimed in on the discussion, stating that he did not understand the heavy outrage surrounding the performance. Carvey noted that he viewed the remarks purely as a standard joke rather than a literal attack on women. The co-hosts discussed how audiences sometimes struggle to separate a comedian telling a joke from personal endorsement of the content, with Carvey suggesting that people frequently blur the line between simply finding a joke unfunny and believing it should never be spoken aloud.

Not everyone on the podcast entirely excused the material, however. Heather Santoro, Spade's assistant and the executive producer of the podcast, offered a contrasting viewpoint off-microphone. Santoro argued that offensive humor still has to deliver proper laughs to justify itself, stating that if a comedian is going to use provocative language, the joke ultimately has to be genuinely funny, which she felt this particular bit missed.

Carvey conceded that the live studio audience at Saturday Night Live features a high percentage of young, dressed-up women, making it a tricky room for certain types of edgy material. While Carvey guessed that the same joke likely would have destroyed in a traditional comedy club environment, he acknowledged that television might not have been the ideal platform for it. Spade added that Gillis likely knew the bit would push buttons but ultimately did not care about the impending controversy.

Drawing from his own experience as an SNL cast member from 1990 until 1996, Spade explained the unique level of scrutiny applied to the show's performers. He noted that television sketches operate under different rules than independent club sets, observing that material on the program usually receives a pass if it kills with the room, but faces significant trouble if it bombs. Spade compared Gillis' approach to other prominent comedians who deliver their material, walk away, and leave others to fight over the cultural aftermath.

Addressing the broader cultural landscape, Spade also called out what he perceived as ongoing double standards within Hollywood and media commentary. He questioned why certain topics face strict protection while other public figures receive constant vitriol, concluding that people do not always need to comment on every single issue. Spade suggested that everyone could benefit from taking a step back, deciding what actually matters, and simply relaxing instead of constantly policing entertainment.

The discussion highlights ongoing debates surrounding acceptable boundaries in modern comedy and the unique pressures faced by performers appearing on major national television platforms like Saturday Night Live.