Griffin Labels Gillis a Hack While Defending His Free Speech Rights

Comedian Kathy Griffin labeled Shane Gillis a “hack” in response to his recent Saturday Night Live monologue, yet simultaneously upheld his constitutional right to deliver controversial material. The 65-year-old entertainer emphasized that while audiences may disapprove of specific content, the freedom to express such opinions remains paramount. She argued that critics have every right to form negative impressions of performers whose work they find objectionable.

Defending First Amendment Rights

In an exclusive interview with Page Six on Tuesday, Griffin addressed Gillis’ weekend performance, during which he mocked women wearing revealing shorts to the gym. Despite her personal disdain for the bit, she maintained that comedic expression must be protected under the First Amendment. “I think as a comic I’m always going to fight for the First Amendment and his right to say it and yet I don’t have to like it,” Griffin stated. She further clarified her position by noting, “So, I defend his right to say it, and I also defend everyone else’s right to think less of him.”

Criticism of Podcast-Driven Comedians

Griffin extended her critique beyond Gillis to a broader cohort of male comedians who gained prominence through TikTok and podcast platforms, specifically referencing Joe Rogan’s influence. She characterized this group as relying on stale material and uniform humor styles. “There are a lot of hacks who are doing very well, and they come from TikTok or the podcast world,” she observed. “He’s not the only guy to break out from Joe Rogan’s influence.”

The comedian described these performers as indistinguishable from one another, both in appearance and delivery. She noted their reliance on jokes about women that reflect outdated societal norms. “There are so many; they all look alike to me. They all look like they can’t get laid; they all sound alike to me; they all tell the same jokes…and they tell these jokes about women that are from like 100 years ago, like women should be in the kitchen and shut up and all this other stuff,” Griffin said.

Gillis’ Monologue and Career History

Gillis’ Saturday Night Live debut included remarks targeting women’s gym attire, claiming that brightly colored shorts made them difficult to ignore. He also referenced appearing in several TikTok videos filmed at gyms. These comments sparked backlash from various celebrities, including former SNL cast member Ego Nwodim.

This incident marks a notable return for Gillis, who was originally hired for Saturday Night Live in 2019. His tenure ended abruptly after just one week when past podcast clips surfaced containing racial slurs and homophobic language, leading to his dismissal from the show.