logo
Shane Gillis' hilarious ESPYs set was a litmus test for our uptight culture

Shane Gillis' hilarious ESPYs set was a litmus test for our uptight culture

New York Post17-07-2025
Shane Gillis took a bite out of sports' biggest names during his opening monologue at Wednesday night's ESPY Awards.
And it was a real sign of cultural health.
The performance felt like an infusion of wheatgrass — cleansing out the residual crud left over from more than a decade of hyper-political correctness.
The comedian went after everyone, slaughtering sacred cows on both sides of the political aisle and from all sensibilities. He mocked Shedeur Sanders' nepotism, Simone Biles' height, Aaron Rodgers' vaccine resistance, Shohei Ohtani's gambling scandal, the WNBA and professional girlfriend Jordon Hudson. Even Caitlin Clark made it into some zesty one-liners.
6 Comedian Shane Gillis roasted the sports world as host of the 2025 ESPY Awards.
Getty Images
And then there was Donald Trump, whose Hall of Fame-worthy way of inserting himself into nearly every big sports moment made him a prime target. Gillis' line about an Epstein joke getting deleted from his script was aimed at the current administration.
'Probably never existed actually, let's move on as a country and ignore that,' Gillis said.
Right out of the gate, the comedian made clear that there would be no genuflecting when he name-dropped one of the most insufferable athletes of our time.
'Megan Rapinoe could not make it tonight,' he said before adding: 'Nice.'
When only a few chuckled, he quipped, 'No? We're going to pretend she's a good time? All right.'
6 Matt McCusker and his wife Brittany Hicks laughed after Gillis told the crowd she was a WNBA All-Star — and they erupted into applause.
@KFCBarstool/X
This night of irreverence felt especially poignant because the sports world, judging from its stony-faced reactions, seems to have not made it through our country's so-called vibe shift without serious PTSD.
As Gillis dropped gem after gem, the audience offered restrained feedback — lest they were caught giggling at anyone's expense.
And for the viewers at home, it was also a litmus test: If you were offended by the jokes about the WNBA or Trump, perhaps you're too entrenched in your chosen echo chamber.
6 Gillis joked that both he and Caitlin Clark are 'whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s.'
NBAE via Getty Images
Remove the stick from your bottom.
That goes for former ESPN personality Sarah Spain, who whinged on behalf of the more-progressive-than-thou set, writing on X: 'In a year of crazy growth for women's sports choosing an ESPYs host who doesn't even try to make clever jokes about women athletes (he at least *attempted* for the men) he goes with hacky 'no one knows the WNBA' bits, 'Pinoe is a bad time' & repeatedly insults Black women. COOL.'
A piece in New York Magazine's The Cut read, 'Who Let Shane Gillis Talk about the WNBA?' — as if it's a precious entity that should be bubble-wrapped.
Admittedly, I'm a massive fan of most anything Gillis does.The Pennsylvania native is wildly funny because of his relatability and everyman humor. There's a lightness to his barbs; he is laughing along with you and critiquing himself in real time. He even kept a running commentary about the finicky reception.
6 Donald Trump, who regularly inserts himself into every big sports moment, was roasted by Gillis.
AP
'This is not serious,' he quipped during a particularly stingy moment from the audience.
Gillis has never shied away from third-rail subjects like race in sports (see his Alabama football desegregation bit) and joked that he and Clark have a lot in common.
'We're both whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s,' he said. 'When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most — fist-fighting black women.'
Then he went in on Trump, saying the president knows nothing about sports.
'Every time a team comes to visit the White House, he's like, 'And you must be the guy who catches. Look at these guys, big guys, black guys.'
'And that's just when the New York Liberty visited.
6 Gillis made jokes about Simone Biles' petite stature.
AP
'They didn't visit. That's just a joke.'
Then came the finest moment of the night, when the audience told on themselves.
'Four-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks is here. Everybody, give it up for Brittany,' Gillis said as the camera panned to an attractive black woman in a pink dress.
And cheers erupted — pandering cheers, it turns out.
'I'm joking around, that's my friend's wife,' Gillis revealed. 'I knew none of you knew WNBA players. That's crazy you clapped for that.'
6 Shane Gillis and girlfriend Grace Brassel walked the red carpet before he carpet-bombed the sports world with insults.
WireImage
Hicks was clearly the best sport of the night.
The show wasn't a convention of accountants. It was a gathering of the top athletes and other figures in sports. If anyone should know a four-time WNBA All-Star, it's the people in this room. But they've been conditioned to reflexively celebrate women just because they're women.
It makes them feel like good people.
Gillis finished with a nod to the late Norm Macdonald, whose brilliant hosting job at the 1998 ESPYs left us all so uncomfortable in the best way — an auspicious sign that the good guys are winning.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win
Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win

Hamilton Spectator

time24 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Bubba Wallace overcame questions and doubts to end 3-year drought with 1st Brickyard 400 win

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Bubba Wallace spent three long years questioning everything about his racing world. During a 100-race winless streak, he saw teammate Tyler Reddick win five times and post three top 10 finishes in NASCAR's final standings. Wallace also watched team co-owner Denny Hamlin make regular trips to victory lane while still chasing his elusive Cup title. The drought forced Wallace to contemplate what was wrong and whether he'd continue to be employed in racing — until he realized there was more to life than racing. Sunday's life-changing Brickyard 400 title only reinforced that notion. 'When Amanda and I first started dating, I was like 'Hey, racing everything, right?' I knew I made a mistake saying that,' Wallace said, referring to his wife Sunday night. 'It took me all these years to realize this isn't always going to be here. So I think it's better to enjoy moments like this, but nothing can overcome the joyful times you have with your family.' Those aren't just empty words , either. After celebrating with his crew, a jubilant Wallace hugged his wife and hoisted their 10-month-old son over his head, an image that may far outlive Wallace's reign as champion. His second family, other Cup drivers, also embraced Wallace following the biggest victory of his career. By becoming the first Black driver to win a major race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval, Wallace also locked up his second playoff appearance. But long before Sunday, there were indications Wallace was turning things around. After posting just six top five finishes and 12 top 10s in his first five Cup seasons, Wallace broke through with five top fives and 10 top 10s in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he had career bests of six top fives and 14 top 10s. And he won one pole in each of those three seasons, too. He also won two qualifying races leading up to this year's Daytona 500, though those wins don't count in the Cup's official stats. Midway through last season, though, Hamlin noticed a change in Wallace. 'When I hired Bubba, I believed in his capability, not necessarily the results he had shown, but I understood his potential. And then there was a time where we were kind of wrestling with 'Do I want it worse than him? I can't make him want it,'' Hamlin said. 'It just seems like something happened mid last year — maybe related to having a child or whatever — but something happened where I saw a change in attitude that changed work for him.' It was a new perspective on life. Suddenly, Wallace had more to think about than just racing and it freed him up to alleviate some of the pressure he put on himself and the brutal self critiques. 'I'm a guy with a beautiful wife, a beautiful son and putting family first, that's all that matters and just fortunate enough to be driving race cars,' he said. 'That makes things easier, gives you something to kind of focus on, the racing stuff is kind of secondary now and you have to have a mental shift to say that.' But the philosophical change was only part of the equation. Crew chief Charles Denike, whose nine years in the U.S. Army showed him how to cope with pressure, added a calming influence on the radio. Wallace also started reading 'The Daily Stoic,' a resource with exercises to help people cultivate wisdom and resilience. Fatherhood changed things, too. 'I've got the family here,' he said. 'Beck's win, officially his first race, and see his dad do it — get to victory lane — that brings me a lot of joy. Amanda's here, we lost our grandmother Friday night, so it's just kind of been a special weekend for us. Our family's here in Indiana, so this is really cool to be able to do.' Of course, Wallace still gets frustrated as he did Saturday when he missed capturing the Brickyard pole by a whisker in qualifying. But he managed to strike a balance between the disgust that used to seep in and the positivity of what he nearly accomplished. And it made a difference on the track Sunday and potentially off of it in the near future. 'There's a certain level of expectation to win and so, not doing that for almost three years, you really start to doubt yourself and wonder 'Is this it after the contract's up? Is this it?'' he said. 'I've still got a couple of years left, so hopefully this gives another year at least.' ___ AP auto racing:

Eddie Murphy Teases His Inspector Clouseau Transformation for New 'Pink Panther' Movie
Eddie Murphy Teases His Inspector Clouseau Transformation for New 'Pink Panther' Movie

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Eddie Murphy Teases His Inspector Clouseau Transformation for New 'Pink Panther' Movie

Peter Sellers originated the role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau in 1963's 'The Pink Panther,' and Steve Martin played the part in a 2006 rebootNEED TO KNOW Eddie Murphy confirmed during an interview on the Today show that he will star in a reboot of The Pink Panther franchise as Inspector Jacques Clouseau Steve Martin most recently portrayed the iconic detective in 2006's The Pink Panther and a 2009 sequel, and Peter Sellers originated the part in several comedies made in the 1960s, '70s and '80s "Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian," Murphy said, when asked if his Clouseau will be FrenchEddie Murphy has a new franchise on his hands. The actor, 64, revealed during an interview with the Today show that aired Monday, July 28, that he will star in a new The Pink Panther movie while promoting his new action-comedy The Pickup. 'I'm getting ready to do a George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic. I'm getting ready to do George Clinton," Murphy said. '[I've] already started Shrek 5. And I'm going to be— I'm Inspector Clouseau in the next Pink Panther." 'Yeah, I'm the new Clouseau,' he added, after Today co-host Al Roker expressed surprise at Murphy's announcement. When Roker asked Murphy whether he will play Clouseau — the detective popularized by Peter Sellers in the franchise's original movies in the 1960s and '70s — as French, Murphy laughed and said, "Maybe." He added, "Well, he has to be French, but he could also be Haitian. I will tell you, he's Black. He's Black, for sure.' The Pink Panther movies started with the 1963 comedy, which starred Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, who is tasked with catching a jewel thief who intends to steal a diamond known as "the pink panther." Sellers, who died in 1980 at age 54, reprised his role in a number of films in the franchise in the '60s, '70s and '80s. Steve Martin also starred as the character in a 2006 reboot and a 2009 sequel. The franchise is known for its iconic theme song and animated opening sequences, which feature an anthropomorphic pink panther. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Multiple outlets reported that Murphy was in talks to star in a new Pink Panther movie back in May 2023. As Murphy told the Today show, he is also working on a biopic that would see him portray funk music legend George Clinton, 84, which Variety first reported back in November 2024. Outside of the upcoming fifth Shrek movie, Murphy also recently told Screen Rant that he will voice his iconic character Donkey in a standalone film that starts production in September. 'Usually I'm the young maverick guy. And now I'm the old voice of reason,' Murphy told the Today show of choosing roles at this point in his life. 'When you get our age, you have to pay. If you whip somebody's ass when you're our age, you kind of whip your own ass too.' Murphy most recently appeared in the 2023 holiday movie Candy Cane Lane and 2024's Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. After The Pickup begins streaming on Prime Video Aug. 6, Murphy will next appear on the big screen when Shrek 5 hits theaters on Dec. 23, 2026. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword

Bubba Wallace Had Blunt Message For Critical NASCAR Fans After Sunday's Win
Bubba Wallace Had Blunt Message For Critical NASCAR Fans After Sunday's Win

Yahoo

time29 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Bubba Wallace Had Blunt Message For Critical NASCAR Fans After Sunday's Win

Bubba Wallace Had Blunt Message For Critical NASCAR Fans After Sunday's Win originally appeared on The Spun. Bubba Wallace's losing streak is over. The veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver took home the checkered flag in Indianapolis on Sunday night. Wallace, driving the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, bested a loaded field at the Brickyard 400. He won for the first time in three years. Wallace, who last won in September of 2022 - driving the No. 45 car in Kansas - became the first Black driver in the history of the sport to win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NASCAR world was extremely excited for the veteran Cup Series driver. "The biggest victory of his career comes today! @BubbaWallace wins the #Brickyard400!" NASCAR shared. Wallace, who has been racing in the Cup Series for more than five years, has dealt with his fair share of criticism over the years. Some of it is related to his racing, while a lot of it dates back to the noose incident in the garage at Talladega. Wallace has a lot of fans in the NASCAR world, but he has plenty of critics, too. Now that he's put his losing streak to an end - and clinched a spot in the Cup Series playoffs - Wallace took to social media with a blunt message for all of his critics. Wallace took a "shushing" photo with 23XI Racing's Sydnei Fryson following his big victory on Sunday evening. This had to feel pretty good, right? With his win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wallace has clinched a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The 23XI Racing driver missed out on the postseason in 2024, but he was determined to make it in 2025. Wallace had some close calls earlier in the year, but he finally broke through with a huge victory on Sunday evening. We look forward to watching Wallace in the playoffs. Bubba Wallace Had Blunt Message For Critical NASCAR Fans After Sunday's Win first appeared on The Spun on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store