Sandra Oh, Rob Schneider, Norm Macdonald Weigh In on Shane Gillis's Firing from 'SNL'

Sandra Oh, who hosted an episode of the show last year, praised SNL on Twitter for its decision to "NOT legitimize/give platform 2 purveyors of racist homophobic content."
In response to Gillis's argument that he was a comedian taking "risks," Oh added, "Risks? LAZY ASS UNORIGINAL."
Glad 2 see @nbcsnl decision NOT legitimize/give platform 2 purveyors of racist homophobic content Risks? LAZY ASS UNORIGINAL
— Sandra Oh (@IamSandraOh) September 17, 2019
A tad late/vetting ? But glad to see. Looking forward to watching @chloe-fineman and my man @bowenyang ! Congrats!
— Sandra Oh (@IamSandraOh) September 17, 2019
Asian-Canadian actor and new Marvel addition Simu Liu voiced similar sentiments.
I am never one to celebrate or take joy over the misfortune of others, but Shane Gillis refused to show remorse for what was very evidently hate speech.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) September 17, 2019
I'm glad @nbcSNL acted with authority and moral fibre.
Now let's get back to congratulating @bowenyang and @chloefineman!! https://t.co/88YQjG0Cnf
Not everyone has been so kind to SNL in the wake of their decision, though.
Former cast member Rob Schneider took to Twitter to voice his support for Gillis. He actually apologized to Gillis, saying, "I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural unforgiveness."
He went on to suggest that a suspension might have been a more appropriate punishment for Gillis's racist and homophobic remarks.
Dear @Shanemgillis
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) September 16, 2019
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.
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. An honest,
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) September 17, 2019
sincere apology and also accepting it seems appropriate as well. Destroying someone does not.
Schneider wasn't the only former cast member to apologize on behalf of SNL either. Norm Macdonald reached out to lend Gillis support, as well.
@Shanemgillis Hey, Shane, I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine how you must feel. The work it takes to get that show and to have it snatched away by some guy who does "Spoken Bird" poetry. Unacceptable. Please DM me, pal, when you have a moment. I'm so sorry.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) September 16, 2019
Comedians Bill Burr and Jim Jeffries, meanwhile, appeared on Lights Out with David Spade (whose host is also a former cast member on SNL) to discuss the controversy. They seemed to pin the blame on "cancel culture" and overly sensitive millennials.
.@billburr and @jimjefferies weigh in on SNL firing Shane Gillis. pic.twitter.com/vdZbZf1SFC
— Lights Out with David Spade (@LightsOut) September 17, 2019
Read some of the other varied reactions to Gillis' firing below.
Hey @Shanemgillis fuck @nbcsnl and everything they hold near and dear to their little pc hearts. It's a sinking ship anyway. You're gonna be just fine. Keep your chin ( no pun intended) up!#fucknbc
— Nick DiPaolo (@NickDiPaolo) September 17, 2019
Shane Gillis is gonna have a sold-out bro tour and a million dollar payday Netflix special about how he is a brave truthteller silenced by cancel culture called Saturday Night Dead within the year, bet on it.
— Catherynne Valente (@catvalente) September 17, 2019
It's funny because at least Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart had to work to become household names before people would defend their right to be offensive. Shane Gillis getting the same treatment and most of us just heard of that white man last week.
— M'BlockU (@rodimusprime) September 17, 2019
White privilege at work.
just thinking about Jenny Slate, who got fired from SNL for swearing one (1) time
— Lili Loofbourow (@Millicentsomer) September 17, 2019
If only we held Supreme Court Justices to the same standards as SNL cast members.
— Alan Spencer (@MrAlanSpencer) September 16, 2019
Former SNL cast members slithering out of the woodwork to publicly bolster a...*checks notes*...racist?
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) September 17, 2019