Michael Che shrugs off Shane Gillis SNL joke row: 'That's comedy'

Michael Che is not piling on Shane Gillis over his latest Saturday Night Live monologue.

Che, who anchors Weekend Update, the show's mid-episode fake news desk, with Colin Jost, was asked about the row during an appearance on the Today show on Thursday, Oct. 15. His answer was brief. "That's comedy," he said, adding, "you think it's funny and some people don't," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The joke in question came during Gillis's turn as host on Saturday, Oct. 10. Gillis drew criticism for a bit about women working out at the gym, saying he had not been in so long he did not know women "just dress like whores now," referring to neon shorts.

Che said he missed the moment live. He was on cue cards duty during the monologue and did not see the joke until the next day.

He was also asked directly whether he had laughed at the joke, Today reported. Che did not offer a yes or no. Instead he framed it as part of the job of stand-up.

"That's why I can't criticise anybody for swinging and missing because I've definitely swung and missed too," he said.

What makes this stand out is the history between Gillis and the show. His Oct. 10 appearance was his third time hosting, Variety reported. He was previously hired as a cast member and then fired before ever appearing on air, before later returning as a host.

This time he opened the show with a seven-minute stand-up set, NBC said. Che appeared on Today while promoting his Netflix stand-up special, Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota.