Decoding Shane Gillis ESPYs Monologue: Which Jokes Landed And Which Ones Divided The Audience

Shane Gillis's opening monologue at the 2025 ESPYs was a test of nerves and humour, with some jokes hitting the mark and others falling flat amid mixed reactions. The comedian's boldest material sparked both laughter and boos, revealing the fine line he walked in his first hosting gig at this major sports awards event.

Gillis's monologue was characterised by a sharp, no-holds-barred style reminiscent of Norm Macdonald, who previously hosted the awards in 1998. He targeted a broad spectrum of subjects, from sports stars to political figures, with jokes that often pushed boundaries. Early in his routine, he made a joke about University of North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick and his much younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, which received some of the best laughs of the night.

His remark about Belichick reading fictitious, risqué books before bedtime was met with amusement: 'A bookie is what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bed. They read, Very Horny Caterpillar, The Little Engine That Could But Needed A Pill First, and of course, Good Night Boobs.' The crowd was more receptive here, perhaps because of the absurdity and surprise in the punchline.

However, not all jokes found favour. Gillis's humour about Caitlin Clark and Jordon Hudson drew hesitation, with some audience members expressing disapproval. His comments about Clark being similar to a Midwestern basketball player and a joke about her potentially working at Waffle House after retirement led to murmurs of discomfort. Similarly, his quip about Aaron Rodgers questioning the quarterback's vaccination choices during his time with the New York Jets was met with mixed reactions. While some found it humorous, others saw it as inappropriate.

Jokes That Divided the Room

Gillis's political impressions and references to recent scandals created tension. A joke about Joe Rogan wanting him to 'capture Adam Silver because he thinks he's an alien' drew a few laughs, but also some jeers, especially from the upper balcony. The comedian also impersonated Donald Trump and made a joke about Jeffrey Epstein's files—topics that are sensitive and divisive.

His ending reference to Travis Hunter's Heisman Trophy win was darkly humorous but controversial. Gillis said, 'Unless you kill your wife and a waiter, in which case, they can take that away from you,' a line that drew some uncomfortable reactions. Such content exemplifies the tightrope Gillis walked: humour that's provocative but risks alienating parts of the audience.

Struggles and Defensive Moments

Gillis's performance saw moments of struggle, with some parts met by silence or boos. At one point, he told the crowd to 'lighten up' when it appeared his jokes weren't landing well.

His impersonation of Trump and mention of the Jeffrey Epstein files were especially polarising. Social media commentary reflected that some viewers deemed his jokes racist or offensive, questioning his suitability as host.

Gillis concluded by recognising the mixed reception: 'Well, I see a lot of you don't like me and that's okay,' he said. 'That went about as exactly how we all thought it was gonna go.' The night underscored Gillis's challenge: balancing edgy comedy with the expectations of a televised sports award show, where tastes can be sharply divided.