On Wednesday night, comedian Shane Gillis‘ first speech as the ESPYS host went poorly in front of some of the greatest personalities in sports.
The retired WNBA player Diana Taurasi, who was to receive the Icon Award later that evening, was among the well-known individuals he shouted out early in the Dolby Theatre crowd. After addressing her as “Deanna,” Gillis urged, “Give it up for her.” The camera captured a Taurasi shaking her head without a smile. Seeing his error immediately, Gillis said, “My bad on that.”
Finally found the Shane Gillis full espys monologue on TikTok pic.twitter.com/jCDkTmo1YG
— Ariel Mardkhai (@arielmard) July 17, 2025
Gillis went on to Caitlin Clark, a WNBA standout, but she wasn’t present. A final homage to the late comic and “Saturday Night Live” star Norm Macdonald was given by Gillis.
In 1998, Macdonald performed a scathing monologue in addition to hosting the ESPYs. One such video, dubbed “Norm MacDonald Eviscerates ESPN Awards Show (1998),” can be found on YouTube. Check out the comments on Gillis’ performance.
