Shane Gillis became the target of Saturday Night Live UK on Oct. 17, when “Weekend Update” co-anchor Ania Magliano delivered an uncensored four-word insult to cheers from the studio audience.
The comedian had referred to women wearing revealing gym shorts as “whores” during his Oct. 10 monologue on NBC. It was his third time hosting the American show, with Rosalía as musical guest.
James Norton hosted the British episode, with The Streets performing. The installment was part of the program’s second season.
Sky posted the segment on its official X account the following morning. The British series is produced by Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. team, with Lorne Michaels serving as executive producer.
Magliano Paired a Cycling Shorts Story With a Photo of Gillis
Ania Magliano with the latest on Shane Gillis. #SNLUK https://t.co/TJz7DbpC3I
— Sky TV (@skytv) October 18, 2026
Magliano began with a report about a Munich Oktoberfest ride operator giving female passengers cycling shorts to protect them from photographs taken beneath their clothing. The shorts would prevent upskirting, she said, but leave them vulnerable to “something much worse.” A photograph of Gillis delivering his monologue appeared beside her, as The Independent documented.
She then brought up his accidental F-bomb and pretended to correct his language. “Oh Shane, you’re not allowed to say that, you stupid fucking cunt,” she said. The line aired without a bleep on Sky One, according to TheWrap.
The original slip happened during a sketch based on Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham. Gillis played the protective son of Mikey Day’s Lorax, confronting Andrew Dismukes’ Sam-I-Am over his insistence that his father try the food. Day worked the mistake into a later line about his son having used a bad word.
Gillis said, “Sorry about earlier,” during the closing goodnights. The apology followed the swearing incident instead of addressing his comments about women.
Sky’s Late-Night Slot Still Comes With Broadcasting Rules
SNL UK airs at 10 p.m., an hour after Britain’s television watershed. Ofcom prohibits the strongest language before 9 p.m. and says the transition to more adult material afterward must be gradual.
Its Broadcasting Code also requires potentially offensive material to be justified by its context. That assessment includes the program, channel, time of transmission, likely audience and any information warning viewers about the content.
In research published Oct. 15, the regulator found that participants generally distinguished swearing from discriminatory language. They reported greater tolerance for the former, while expecting stronger protection from language that demeans particular people or groups.
Dan Levy and Former Cast Members Had Already Responded
Gillis’ routine included complaints about brightly colored workout shorts and gymgoers filming themselves for TikTok. He joked about appearing in the background of their videos, according to Variety, whose account also noted groans from the audience.
Dan Levy called the remarks misogynistic and urged more men to object, in an Instagram video covered by TMZ. Former cast member Ego Nwodim posted a photograph of herself in black workout clothes with the caption “Whore reporting for duty,” as Entertainment Weekly reported. Cecily Strong also posted her gym outfit and mocked the premise.
Martha Plimpton directed her criticism toward the show’s decision-making, arguing that more women should be involved. In her video, she was responding to a documentary scene showing people in Michaels’ office choosing material for broadcast, instead of describing a meeting she attended. She acknowledged that her assessment came from the footage she had seen, according to a separate EW report.
Michael Che Said He Had Not Watched the Monologue Live
Today’s Laura Jarrett asked Michael Che about the controversy on Oct. 15, while he was promoting his Netflix special, Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota. The American “Weekend Update” co-anchor replied, “That’s comedy. It’s like, you think it’s funny and some people don’t,” as TheWrap reported.
Che said he was working through his own cue cards when Gillis delivered the routine and did not watch it until the following day. Asked what he thought afterward, he said he had not given it much consideration.
Jarrett also brought up the provocative jokes he and Colin Jost write for each other during their joke swaps. Che said his own failures made him reluctant to criticize another comedian: “I’ve definitely swung and missed too.”
James Austin Johnson Brought His Trump Impression to London
James Austin Johnson appeared in the British episode’s opening sketch, performing his Donald Trump impression opposite George Fouracres and Freddie Meredith. His character tried to arrange a job swap with Britain’s leader, then complained that the British cast needed an American to play him, according to Variety.
Johnson’s Trump also noticed the different approach to profanity after insulting the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. “Ooh, you can say shit on this one!” he said.
Sky has announced Cynthia Erivo as the next host on Oct. 24, with Blossoms as musical guest. The American show returns Oct. 31 with first-time host Inde Navarrette and musical guest Gracie Abrams, according to PEOPLE.