Lorne Michaels Opposed NBC's Decision to Fire Shane Gillis from SNL

Michaels expressed anger over NBC's choice to dismiss Gillis following backlash from resurfaced offensive comments.

Lorne Michaels revealed that NBC executives made the decision to fire Shane Gillis from Saturday Night Live in 2019.
Gillis was dismissed after past racist and homophobic comments on a podcast resurfaced, sparking significant public backlash.
Michaels disagreed with the firing, believing that Gillis' talent warranted a chance to showcase his abilities on the show.
The controversy led to threats of boycotts from advertisers, with 200 Asian companies reportedly considering withdrawing support.
Despite the initial fallout, Gillis returned to SNL as a host in 2024 and has since achieved success in stand-up comedy and television.