Shane Gillis Drops Truth Bomb on Kimmel's Defenders

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Shane Gillis is happy to see Jimmy Kimmel return to his ABC perch.

The “Jimmy Kimmel Live” host got benched for a week after suggesting Charlie Kirk’s assassin was part of the MAGA moment.

ABC gave him his gig back despite Kimmel refusing to acknowledge the lie or apologize for it.

Still, Gillis wants comedians to have as much creative freedom as possible, and he’s genuinely glad Kimmel’s suspension had an expiration date.

He’s also keenly aware of the hypocrisy behind Kimmel’s defenders.

The same people who rose up in righteous fury to defend Kimmel were quiet back in 2019. Gillis had just gotten any comedian’s dream job – a role on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Then, just as quickly as he got the gig, Gillis lost it.

Why?

Some “resurfaced” Gillis’ crude jokes tied to the Asian community. Poof! Instantly canceled. The gig of a lifetime went up in smoke.

The media didn’t ride to the comedian’s rescue. If fellow comedians were furious about Gillis’ cancellation, they mostly kept their rage to themselves.

He was alone and canceled. Even Lorne Michaels, the comedy icon behind “SNL,” didn’t publicly fight his firing (despite cosplaying his anger over the issue).

Gillis hasn’t forgotten what that felt like.

“It’s good to see everybody stick up for [Kimmel] and free speech. I’m just glad they were all there for me back in the day,” Gillis said on “Matt & Shane’s Secret Podcast” earlier this week. “He’s my brother in being canceled now. He was canceled for what, 48 hours? Mine was a couple of years. No big deal. What’s the difference?”

His podcast partners noted that Kimmel likely had to lay low in a million-dollar home.

“You mean he didn’t have to lay on a mattress in Queens with two snarky roommates?” Gillis asked 

The circumstances here aren’t identical. NBC dropped Gillis, not any governmental body. Kimmel’s suspension also came from a broadcast network – ABC – but some claim President Donald Trump forced the network’s hand.

Without evidence.

Yes, the same president who forced Kimmel’s cancellation let him back on the air in a week. Worst. Dictator. Ever.

Plus, ABC’s decision came after two major affiliate groups – Sinclair and Nexstar – balked at airing the show following Kimmel’s vile comments.

Gillis’ cancellation came at the peak of Cancel Culture. “Saturday Night Live” refused to stand up for him. Kimmel certainly didn’t rush to the airwaves to mount a pro-Gillis movement.

They stood down. All of them. Gillis managed to rebuild his career to the point that “SNL” asked him to host its far-Left showcase.

Twice.

That’s the best revenge and an example of the marketplace overriding Cancel Culture. Morgan Wallen would later do just that.

The other inconvenient truth must be said. This isn’t the only instance when Hollywood, Inc. looked the other way as one of their own got silenced.