Shane Gillis cursed live on Saturday Night Live after a slip during a Green Eggs and Ham-inspired sketch, then broke character as the audience laughed.
The 38-year-old comedian was hosting the late-night programme for the third time on Saturday October 10. He played the defensive son of Guy Am I, portrayed by Mikey Day, after Sam I Am, played by Andrew Dismukes, tried to persuade him to eat green eggs and ham.
Gillis’s character initially confronted Sam I Am, saying: “Hey, what the hell is wrong with you? My dad said he doesn’t like green eggs and ham, drop it. Walk away.”
When Andrew Dismukes’s character replied that his father might like the dish, Gillis continued: “Bro, it’s a non-starter. He told me, he said he doesn’t f***ing—”
He stopped himself before completing the sentence and added: “Jeez! Like ’em.”
Gillis then turned towards the audience and waved before carrying on with the sketch. He later acknowledged the mistake during his closing remarks, saying: “Sorry about earlier.”
What happens when someone curses on Saturday Night Live?
The programme is unlikely to face disciplinary action from the Federal Communications Commission over the incident because of its late-night broadcast slot.
FCC guidelines state that indecent and profane content is prohibited on broadcast television and radio between 6am and 10pm when there is a reasonable risk that children may be watching. Obscene content is prohibited at all times.
As host, Gillis could still face a discussion with Saturday Night Live creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, as well as NBC’s Standards and Practices department.
