Jenna Bush Hager denounces Shane Gillis’ misogynistic SNL monologue

Jenna Bush Hager publicly condemned comedian Shane Gillis on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after his Saturday Night Live monologue described women at the gym as “whores.”

Speaking on the Today show, Hager said the remarks are “not OK” and argued they contribute to a broader culture of commenting on women’s looks. She added that if broadcasters want to be good role models for children, they should stop talking about women’s bodies.

“Who is he to comment on women’s bodies?” Bush Hager asked co‑host Sheinelle Jones. “This perpetuates what is happening in our culture where people are commenting on women’s looks ad nauseam … and it’s not OK.”

The television personality also said she would be “disgusted” if her husband, Henry Chase, used the same language, underscoring the personal impact of Gillis’s jokes. Jones, while more lenient toward comedians, noted that the word “whore” felt “derogatory” and “mean.”

Gillis’s monologue, which included a description of gym shorts as “neon” and compared them to “artificial bait,” sparked a wave of criticism from other public figures. Dan Levy called the comedian “misogynist” on Instagram and urged men to stand up against such remarks. Actress Ego Nwodim responded with a tongue‑in‑cheek Instagram story, describing herself as a “whore reporting for duty.”

Not all reactions were condemnatory. NFL star Travis Kelce liked a post featuring the monologue, describing it as “pretty funny,” while country‑radio personality Bobby Bones praised Gillis for taking comedic risks. The mixed response highlights a divide in how audiences and peers view jokes that target women’s appearance.

As the backlash continues, NBC faces pressure to address the controversy and its handling of the host’s language. Industry observers suggest the network’s response may set a precedent for how comedy shows navigate misogynistic content in the future.