Rob Schneider has courted controversy after becoming the latest comedian to question Saturday Night Live’s decision to fire new recruit Shane Gillis.
The news of Gillis’s casting was met with outrage after racist and homophobic comments he’d made on a podcast were unearthed, and producers decided to drop him from the lineup.
Schneider criticised the action on Twitter, writing: “As a former SNL cast member, I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural unforgiveness where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves.”
He did have some stern words for Gillis, stating: “It’s not okay to say racist things under the guise of comedy. Just because you have a mic in your hand doesn’t make the racist things you say any less racist.”
Schneider said a suspension or a “sincere apology” from Gillis would have sufficed.
Many Twitter users lashed out at Schneider for his thoughts on Gillis’s firing, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Chelsea Peretti, who quipped: “Yessssssssss he got the Rob Schneider endorsement!”
Others highlighted the time Schneider made “horrible” jokes about Asians in the past, while artist Tony Posnanski said: “He said a lot of racist things. Like a lot. So go f*** yourself Deuce Bigalow.”
Comedians Bill Burr, Jim Jeffries and David Spade also criticised SNL’s decision to fire Gillis. Jeffries said the move was caused by “cancel culture”.
Gillis responded to the news of his sacking on his Twitter account, writing: “I’m a comedian who was funny enough to get SNL. That can’t get taken away.”
He added: “Of course I wanted an opportunity to prove myself, but I understand it would be too much of a distraction.
“I respect the decision they made. I’m honestly grateful for the opportunity.”
