Rob Schneider Rips “Era of Cultural Unforgiveness” After ‘SNL’ Drops Shane Gillis

Former Saturday Night Live star Rob Schneider is speaking out about dropped cast member Shane Gillis. In a series of tweets, the comedy veteran addressed the Gillis controversy, which came to a head on Monday afternoon when SNL announced that Gillis will no longer be joining the show due to his history of making racist comments. Schneider apologized to Gillis, writing, “I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural unforgiveness,” but he then seemed to condemn the comic’s remarks. “It’s not okay to say racist things under the guise of comedy,” added Schneider.

Shortly after the Gillis news broke, Schneider fired off his first of three tweets about the controversy. “As a former SNL cast member I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural unforgiveness where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves,” he wrote, tagging Gillis. Schneider’s post quickly went viral, and a few hours later, he clarified his remarks. “I think a suspension would be appropriate for someone who is part of an organization that says something terrible in a podcast from a year earlier,” he wrote, adding that “an honest, sincere apology” is appropriate given the situation, but “destroying someone” is not.

Early Tuesday morning, Schneider sounded off once more. “Last thought on this,” he wrote. “It’s not okay to say racist things under the guise of comedy. Just because you have a mic in your hand doesn’t make the racist things you say any less racist.”

Gillis was officially dropped from Saturday Night Live on Monday afternoon, four days after a video resurfaced of him making an Asian slur. “After talking with Shane Gillis, we have decided that he will not be joining SNL,” said a statement released on behalf of boss Lorne Michaels. “We want SNL to have a variety of voices and points of view within the show, and we hired Shane on the strength of his talent as comedian and his impressive audition for SNL. We were not aware of his prior remarks that have surfaced over the past few days. The language he used is offensive, hurtful and unacceptable. We are sorry that we did not see these clips earlier, and that our vetting process was not up to our standard.”

The short-lived SNL star addressed the situation on Twitter just minutes after Michaels’ statement was released. “I’m a comedian who was funny enough to get SNL. That can’t be taken away,” he wrote. “Of course I wanted an opportunity to prove myself at SNL, but I understand it would be too much of a distraction. I respect the decision they made. I’m honestly grateful for the opportunity.”

Saturday Night Live begins its new season on September 28 with host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish.

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