Martin Short and Steve Martin Postponed Shows Amid COVID Concerns
Recently, a comment made by Colin Jost during the Saturday Night Live (SNL) 50th anniversary special on February 16 took on new significance following an announcement from Steve Martin regarding upcoming performances.
On February 20, comedy icon Steve Martin, aged 79, revealed via Instagram that due to his comedic counterpart Martin Short contracting COVID-19, they would be postponing shows in Knoxville, Tennessee and Durham, North Carolina. Accompanying his message was a candid shot of Short embracing Maya Rudolph backstage during the anniversary special.
Martin humorously noted in his post: “Maya had Covid. Marty has Covid. I wonder why? The SNL 50th Covid curse is real.”
Re-Scheduled Performances on the Horizon
Originally set to entertain audiences at the Durham Performing Arts Center on February 22 and Knoxville Civic Auditorium the following day, both performances have now been rescheduled—Knoxville will take place on October 17 while Durham’s will occur one day later.
Expressing his regret over these changes, Martin shared: “So sorry for the inconvenience. I think we’ll actually be funnier then anyway.”
PEOPLE magazine has reached out to representatives for both Short and Rudolph for further comments.
Jost’s Witty Observation During the Special
In a segment during SNL’s iconic “Weekend Update,” Colin Jost humorously remarked about gathering so many legendary comedians in one location as somewhat questionable given current health issues.
Jost jested: “Health experts are under increasing strain this winter due to outbreaks of COVID-19 alongside influenza, RSV, and a newly dubbed nanovirus—a situation they are calling a quad-demic. So naturally we thought it was wise to cram every beloved entertainer over sixty into one confined space.”
Celebrating Historic Contributions
Steve Martin opened the milestone celebration of SNL, despite never being an official cast member; he has hosted more than sixteen times across five decades while making numerous cameo appearances throughout its illustrious run.
In December of last year , this dynamic duo co-hosted together as well—Martin jokingly introduced Short with quips about their enduring partnership that spans years. In another humorous bit from Sunday night’s event; when asking if Short had brought along necessary travel documents for Canada he claimed he hadn’t—which ended with exaggerated portrayal by fake immigration agents dragging him off stage.
Scottish artist Alan Davies stated once: “Comedy partners often find themselves intertwined in ways few partnerships manage.” This sentiment encapsulates how working companions like you see between these two continue generating joy through laughter long after their primes have faded yet somehow grow brighter instead!
Currently available for streaming is SNL50: The Anniversary Special now featured prominently on Peacock.