Michael Che said he was not particularly concerned about the criticism aimed at Shane Gillis over a joke in Gillis’ recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue, describing the differing reactions as part of comedy.
Che discussed the controversy Thursday on NBC’s “Today,” while promoting his Netflix comedy special, “Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota.” Co-anchor Laura Jarrett asked him about an Instagram post in which Che complained that he expected to face questions about Gillis during promotional interviews. Che laughed when the show aired a censored version of the post.
Gillis, hosting “SNL” for the third time, made the joke during his opening monologue on Saturday. He talked about returning to public gyms and criticized the revealing workout clothes worn by some women, using explicit language and describing the clothing in sexual terms. The remarks drew criticism, including from actor Dan Levy, according to the supplied report.
Che said he had not watched the monologue when it first aired because he was working on cue cards. When he later saw it, he said, he did not give it much thought. He told Jarrett that one audience may find a joke funny while others do not.
Che also pointed to his own experience with jokes that do not land. He said that he and “Weekend Update” co-anchor Colin Jost have delivered controversial material, and that he has also “swung and missed.” That experience, he said, makes him reluctant to criticize another comedian for taking a chance that fails with some viewers.
The report said Fox News Digital sought comment from NBC. Gillis’ representative declined to comment.
Comedian Tim Young also defended Che’s position in comments to Fox News Digital. Young characterized some of the online response as attention-seeking and argued that audiences can choose which entertainment they watch. His remarks were his assessment of the backlash, not an independently established explanation for why people objected to Gillis’ joke.
