Kenan Thompson Reflects on Shane Gillis’ SNL Firing on We Might Be Drunk Podcast

Kenan Thompson recently addressed Shane Gillis' controversial firing from Saturday Night Live in an appearance on We Might by Drunk, the podcast from comedians Mark Normand and Sam Morril. Reflecting on the moment, Thompson admitted he didn’t have much insight into the decision at the time, saying, “In that moment, I didn’t really know much of the story...it’s above my PR grade what they do with people’s lives and careers like that.”

Thompson acknowledged that the situation was unfortunate, noting the complexity of decisions that affect comedians’ careers, especially in the high-stakes environment of SNL. “If it was squashed between the people, then that’s as far as it should have gone,” Thompson added, hinting that interpersonal resolution might have been a better path than a public firing. He also commented on how Gillis eventually bounced back, saying, “It’s cool that he earned that regardless,” and commending Gillis for reaching a high level of success despite the setback.

Thompson’s comments reflect the ongoing conversation in comedy about second chances, free speech, and the challenges comedians face in balancing edgy material with career opportunities.