Rob Schneider rips 'era of cultural unforgiveness' after Shane Gillis fired from 'SNL'

Comedian Rob Schneider fired off a series of tweets Monday night slamming cancel culture and the “era of cultural unforgiveness” after “Saturday Night Live” fired incoming cast member Shane Gillis over past insensitive remarks.

“As a former SNL cast member I am sorry that you had the misfortune of being a cast member during this era of cultural unforgiveness where comedic misfires are subject to the intolerable inquisition of those who never risked bombing on stage themselves,” Mr. Schneider, a Republican who famously renounced the Democratic Party in 2013, tweeted directly to Mr. Gillis.

“I think a suspension would be appropriate for someone who is part of an organization that says something terrible in a podcast from a year earlier,” the “Real Rob” star added. “An honest, sincere apology and also accepting it seems appropriate as well. Destroying someone does not.”

Mr. Gillis came under fire last week over his past use of racist and homophobic slurs after it was announced that he would be joining “SNL’s” new season. The stand-up comedian gave a half-hearted apology to “anyone who’s actually offended by anything I’ve said,” but defended himself as a “comedian who pushes boundaries.” NBC later announced that Mr. Gillis would not be joining the show.

Mr. Schneider said he “felt sad” when he heard Mr. Gillis‘ past comments, which included slurs referring to Asian Americans, women and homosexual men, but said he shouldn’t have lost his job.

“I felt sad when i saw the clip,” Mr. Schneider tweeted Tuesday. “But I was even more sad that he went there and it wasn’t funny. Just an ugly conversation. He has the right to say it, cancel culture is wrong, but people have the right to call racist things racist as well.”