Shane Gillis recently hosted the ESPY Awards, and not everyone received his humor well. During his nearly 10-minute opening monologue, he made jokes about various topics, from Caitlin Clark to Aaron Rodgers and even Donald Trump. Amidst mixed reactions from the audience, one person found it hilarious: Busta Rhymes. On his podcast, Gillis shared, “The one person laughing the entire time was Busta Rhymes,” adding that he appreciated getting some laughs despite the crowd’s response.
One of the standout moments from his act was when Gillis tricked the audience into clapping for “four-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks,” who turned out to be the wife of his friend Matt McCusker. This was just one of several controversial jokes he made that night.
Reflecting on this, he noted that similar jokes could work in other sports, saying, “You could’ve been like, ’10-time All-Star, NHL legend Matt McCusker,’ and they would’ve been like, ‘For sure.’” He clearly enjoyed the thrill of audience interaction, claiming, “I knew they would clap. I would have clapped. Anyone would clap.”
Despite his aim to inject humor into the evening, Gillis faced criticism. ESPN personalities, including Sarah Spain and Dan Le Batard, voiced their disapproval on social media. Still, the network backed Gillis, understanding that comedy is subjective.
Interestingly, while the ESPYs sought to capture a new audience with Gillis’s hosting, viewership declined by 22% compared to the previous year, according to Sports Media Watch. This dip raises questions about how the show chooses its hosts and the balance between humor and the tastes of its audience.
The ESPYs are known for celebrating sports achievements, yet they also face expectations regarding the tone of their comedic elements. As humor evolves in society, what resonates with one audience might not connect with another. It’s a tricky balancing act that keeps both organizers and hosts on their toes.
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