Shane Gillis hosted Saturday Night Live on 11 October 2026, seven years after his dismissal from the program in 2019. His opening monologue prompted sharp reactions from viewers who called jokes about women demeaning toward women. Critics at Variety and Vulture said the monologue fell flat.

A Dr. Seuss-inspired sketch during the episode contained an unscripted broadcast error, and Gillis later issued an apology. The Guardian reported the show extended what it called a run of underwhelming episodes for the season.