Shane Gillis Calls Out Liberal SNL Audience As His Second Monologue Went Much Like His First: “I’m About To Lose You Even More”

Shane Gillis’ second go-around at Saturday Night Live is going… much like the first.

Fresh off of SNL’s 50th Anniversary Show (which had some people upset), the long-running sketch comedy show is tapping Shane Gillis to host once again. The comedian first hosted SNL back in February of last year, which was at that point a huge development in the saga, considering the comedy show had once announced Gillis as a cast member, then parted ways with him after “offensive” material was uncovered in some of his previous work.

Later last year, news also broke that Shane Gillis was allegedly given the opportunity to come back to the show for a semi-full-time role to play Donald Trump during the election cycle, and the popular comedian apparently hit SNL with a, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Despite Saturday Night Live initially trying to distance themselves from the comedian, it now appears that they’ll take him back any chance they get… undoubtedly to help out with the show’s ratings.

As I stated earlier, the comedian has already hosted the show once… and it made for some uncomfortable moments. From the get-go, there was a weird vibe between Gillis and the studio audience – especially during the comedian’s monologue. And it was much of the same when Shane stepped onto the historic Studio 8H stage this time around.

No matter how much Gillis talked about Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Ken Burns, and the Civil War, he couldn’t seem to win over the studio audience (nor the SNL band, who was once again mostly stone faced throughout his monologue). And that’s saying something, because Gillis has one of the best Trump impressions in the business, and his Joe Biden bit was just as funny. At least that’s how it came off through the TV… the people there in attendance in New York barely even mustered a chuckle.

When the crowd wasn’t responding like he wanted to, Gillis leaned into it (which made everything that much funnier for Shane Gillis fans watching at home). The comedian even went as far to say this after a joke that didn’t land with those in attendance:

“Look I get it… you guys are pretty liberal here. I understand being liberal, it feels good.”

Gillis then spun that thought into liberal being much like the Sith in Star Wars, which painfully fell flat within the studio. Despite all of the uncomfortable moments, the comedian – who might I point out is hilarious and one of the bright spots in all of stand-up right now – powered ahead. And much like his first time hosting at SNL, Shane realized that he was standing in front of a crowd that wasn’t exactly his demographic.

But he never wavered, kept his head down, and even resorted to saying, “Well I’m about to lose you even more,” as he continued on with his set. Most of his jokes, at least in my opinion, were pretty funny and a touch edgy (what he does best). Yet again, people at home who love to tune in for everything Shane Gillis were likely laughing their ass off, all while the SNL audience let out a few forced laughs at best.

Check it out:

Shane Gillis’s monologue! pic.twitter.com/1x1bSl5I2H

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 2, 2025