Few hosts have been more controversial in Saturday Night Live history than Shane Gillis.
But Gillis was a polarizing figure before he ever hosted SNL. That’s because the standup comedian was hired to join the cast for Season 45 in 2019, but fired before he ever appeared on camera in Studio 8H.
Still, Gillis has a chance in Season 51 to join a small group of SNL hosts, a group even more selective than the famed “Five-Timers Club.”
If Gillis hosts Saturday Night Live in the 2025-26 season he will become only 12th person to host the variety show in three consecutive seasons.
Most Consecutive Seasons Hosting Saturday Night Live
| HOST | STREAK | FROM | TO |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Goodman | 11 | S15 | S25 |
| Buck Henry | 5 | S1 | S5 |
| Tom Hanks | 5 | S13 | S17 |
| John Mulaney | 5 | S43 | S47 |
| Steve Martin | 4 | S2 | S5 |
| Elliott Gould | 3 | S4 | S6 |
| Alec Baldwin | 3 | S20 | S22 |
| Lindsay Lohan | 3 | S29 | S31 |
| Jon Hamm | 3 | S34 | S36 |
| Melissa McCarthy | 3 | S37 | S39 |
| Louis C.K. | 3 | S38 | S40 |
Gillis came under fire for language he used during standup routines prior to being hired to be a cast member in 2019. However, the show asked him to host in Season 49 in February of 2024. He returned to host just over a year later in March of 2025 during Season 50.
Neither episode featuring Gillis as host are rated very well among fans. According to IMDB, the rating for his Season 49 hosting gig was 6.2, and his second hosting appearance came in at a disappointing 5.4 (out of 10).
Since his firing by NBC, Gillis has embarked on a successful standup career, releasing numerous specials. In 2024 he starred in hos own limited series streamed on Netflix called Tires. He has become known for his impression of Donald Trump.
However, Gillis has also been criticized for his appearances on the Joe Rogan Podcast where he has been discussed conspiracy theories and far-right politics. For many, especially young males, Gillis is a popular voice who has millions of social media followers, a fact not lost on SNL, which seeks to be relevant to young audiences that don’t watch broadcast television.
