From: officialflagrant
Shane Gillis is recognized for his unique comedic style, which has propelled him to the top of the comedy world, notably with “the number one comedy special in the world right now” [00:00:37]. His approach extends beyond stand-up into acting and sketch comedy, emphasizing a grounded, character-driven humor.
Acting Style
Shane Gillis has transitioned his comedic sensibilities into acting, notably with his new show, “Tires,” which is described as sketches with a narrative arc, making it “hilarious” [01:05:34]. His acting has been praised, with a co-host noting his performance was “great” [01:05:56] and calling him “a great actor” [01:06:01].
Gillis observes that many comedians “suck at acting classes” [01:06:25] because they are “used to trying to say the funny thing” [01:06:30]. In contrast, his philosophy for acting is that “your character would never try to be funny” [01:06:33]; instead, the character should be “dead serious” [01:06:36], allowing “the situation [to be] funny” [01:06:44].
This approach is evident in his sketches, where a funny line might be discarded if it’s “too funny” for the character to naturally say [01:06:57]. He believes that in real life, if someone said a funny line, others would “acknowledge that it was a joke” [01:07:08], unlike traditional sitcoms where characters deliver jokes without in-world reactions [01:07:15].
Comedic Preferences and Influences
While his personal comedic style is character-driven, Gillis expresses appreciation for a range of comedy. He describes sitcoms like Friends as “punchline punchline punchline” [01:07:39] and finds them “fantastic” for turning off his brain [01:07:41]. He even admits to liking The Big Bang Theory [01:07:44], acknowledging that it effectively establishes a world where characters are aware of their roles [01:15:13].
He highly recommends The Foot Fist Way as “one of the funniest [\h__\h] shows ever” [01:42:50]. His top comedic film is Friday [02:54:39], followed by Home Alone and Home Alone 2 [02:54:57], which he considers “one of the greatest sequels of all time” [02:54:59].
A significant influence appears to be Eastbound & Down, which he calls “the best comedy” [01:45:04]. He appreciates its unique, dark, and hilarious nature, especially how its main character, Kenny Powers, is an anti-hero who is “funny without trying to be funny” [01:45:49].
Shane Gillis also touches on his personal jokes and bits, such as a repeated anecdote about a sexual encounter where he inadvertently trained his partner to “suck on a Bob” [00:00:05], a story he finds “funny” and often uses [00:00:00]. He notes that the humor lies in the situation rather than trying to be funny, which aligns with his acting philosophy [04:11:13].
His career development and visibility in the comedy industry were highlighted by the success of his special [00:00:37]. His interactions with other comedians and personalities, such as Joe Rogan and Chris O’Connor, also influence his comedic discussions and public persona [00:50:55]. He was even considered as a potential replacement for Trevor Noah on The Daily Show [01:00:07]. The impact of sharing comedic success is evident in the general support and discussions surrounding his work [01:05:48].