Hello, Eric. NPR’s television reviewer Eric Deggans is speaking to me. Gillis employed discriminatory and prejudiced vocabulary on a podcast that he co-hosted. “Saturday Night Live” has terminated the employment of cast member Shane Gillis merely four days after his recruitment was publicized.
ERIC DEGGANS, BYLINE: Hello.
KING: So what was “SNL’s” response regarding the reason for Shane Gillis’ termination?
Yang Andrew, a presidential candidate, including many Asian people, received a lot of racial slurs. Some of Gillis’s comments, which were hired by “SNL” just last year, were racist and offensive. However, when Villasenor, a cast member hired by “SNL” years ago, had racist tweets surface, we were not aware of his prior remarks. In a statement, Lorne Michaels, the executive producer of “SNL”, said, “Well, the language he used is unacceptable, hurtful, and offensive.”
Do you believe, in this particular scenario, that it is a justifiable argument? Is it a justifiable argument in this particular scenario, do you believe? Therefore, the contention is that individuals have become excessively sensitive towards offensive matters. Certain enthusiasts of comedy have expressed grievances about what they refer to as – or what is presently known as cancel culture in the entertainment industry. You are aware that certain enthusiasts of comedy have expressed grievances about what they refer to as – or what is presently known as cancel culture in entertainment, Eric, KING.
While dining at restaurants, Gillis discusses his frustration with Asian individuals who have a limited grasp of the English language. We possess a recording in which Gillis served as a co-host alongside Matt McCusker on a podcast, during which they utilized derogatory racial terms, homophobic language, and misogynistic remarks. However, in a stand-up performance for Comedy Central on YouTube, Gillis made self-deprecating jokes about stereotypes involving impoverished white individuals. Unfortunately, these jokes lacked humor and did not possess any ironic or attributed elements. I highly doubt that Gillis’ comments during his podcast were intended as such, in my opinion, DEGGANS.
(SOUNDBITE OF PODCAST, “MATT AND SHANE’S CONFIDENTIAL PODCAST”).
SHANE GILLIS: It’s funny too ’cause that’s more annoying than any other minority playing music at a restaurant loud on their phone.
MATT MCCUSKER: Do you believe Asian….
I’m trying to eat dinner while listening to someone like Lil Uzi Vert, it bothers me that I’m trying to learn English but Asian An bothers me. Output: I’m attempting to have dinner while listening to someone like Lil Uzi Vert, it bothers me that I’m making an effort to learn English but Asian An bothers me.
MCCUSKER: That’s really funny.
GILLIS: Great discrimination.
KING: That’s disgusting.
I’m glad I don’t watch “SNL” anymore, especially when they have high-profile jobs like that. It’s been throughout history that people have used entertainment as a way to make stereotypes fun and acceptable, even though it validates racism. I understand the gist of it, but I don’t want to see clips where slurs are used or they curse. Now, yeah. DEGGANS:
Additionally, only a week ago, “SNL” recruited its inaugural Chinese American cast member, Bowen Yang, thereby diverting attention from the Shane Gillis controversy. Interestingly enough, this situation has definitely gained prominence, indeed, King.
In films and other television programs, former cast members go on to achieve great success, you know, “SNL” is a prominent entity in the entertainment industry. Recently, Leslie Jones, who departed from the cast, and Sasheer Zamata, who left the show in 2017, were recruited as three African American women in response to previous criticism regarding the absence of black women, approximately five years ago. Additionally, he openly identifies as a gay man, and Yang’s employment was hailed as a significant milestone for “SNL.” The show has frequently faced backlash for its lack of Asian representation, indeed.
KING: Yeah.
In today’s society and entertainment industry, it is important to prioritize the empowerment of individuals from diverse racial backgrounds. It is crucial to address and challenge any discriminatory hiring practices, attitudes, or language that may arise. Regardless of whether or not these issues offend someone, it is essential to dismantle them. The talent pool often becomes biased, resulting in underrepresentation of people of color.