The opening stand-up set delivered by a Saturday Night Live host, and the segment by which guest hosts are most often judged. Shane Gillis’s October 10, 2026 monologue — his third as host — drew backlash for jokes about women’s gym outfits, demonstrating how five minutes at the top of the show can define an episode, a week of coverage and, in this case, a transatlantic comedy feud.
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Mentioned in: “Saturday Night Live UK” Mocks Shane Gillis After Backlash Over His Controversial SNL Monologue