Gillis Draws Criticism for Joke About Women’s Gym Clothes

Comedian Shane Gillis drew criticism after joking during his October 10 Saturday Night Live monologue that women at gyms dress like “whores,” prompting actor Dan Levy and other public figures to object to the remark. Gillis introduced the bit by saying he had not been to a gym in a long time and was surprised by women’s workout clothes. He referred to their shorts and joked that men could not look because they might appear in the background of TikTok videos. The joke was met with groans from the audience, according to accounts of the performance. Levy criticized Gillis in an Instagram video, saying that wearing gym shorts does not make women whores and that men who use that label are misogynists. He also argued that men should speak out against the treatment of women. Comedian Phoebe Robinson and writer Jessica Valenti were among others whose criticism of the joke was reported. The responses focused on whether the joke reduced women to their clothing and reinforced judgments about their bodies. Some commentators connected the remark to broader concerns about harassment and sexual assault.