Martin Short contracts COVID after SNL 50th anniversary special, Steve Martin jokes about 'SNL 50th COVID Curse'
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Feb 21, 2025, 17:19 IST
( Image credit : AP )
Martin Short tested positive for COVID-19 after the SNL 50th anniversary special, leading to the postponement of comedy shows with Steve Martin in Knoxville and Durham to October. Martin humorously acknowledged the situation, referencing a 'COVID curse.' The unexpected delay comes despite the duo’s enduring partnership, promising even funnier performances upon their return.
On Thursday, February 20, Martin, 79, shared the news on Instagram, revealing that their scheduled shows in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Durham, North Carolina, would be rescheduled for October. Alongside the announcement, Martin posted a photo of Short, 74, sharing a backstage moment with Maya Rudolph at Studio 8H during the anniversary special.
“Maya had COVID. Marty has COVID. I wonder why? The SNL 50th COVID curse is real,” Martin quipped in his caption.
Short and Martin were set to perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 22, and at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium on Sunday, February 23. The rescheduled performances will take place on October 17 and 18, respectively.
“So sorry for the inconvenience,” Martin added. “I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”
The announcement follows Jost’s joke during the Weekend Update segment of the anniversary special, where he humorously pointed out the irony of cramming numerous comedy legends into a single space amidst a “quad-demic” of COVID, flu, RSV, and norovirus.
“Health experts are facing increased pressure this winter in the face of outbreaks of COVID, the flu, RSV, and norovirus,” Jost, 42, said. “So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space.”
Despite never being a regular cast member, Martin has long been an SNL staple, hosting the show 16 times and making countless cameos over the decades. He kicked off the 50th-anniversary special with an opening monologue, where he humorously reminisced about his enduring partnership with Short.
“Marty and I have been working together so long that we can actually finish each other’s careers,” Martin joked.
During a December 2022 episode, Martin and Short co-hosted SNL, delivering a comedic back-and-forth that included a playful jab at Short’s Canadian roots. Martin teased that Short was “the only Canadian who wasn’t in Schitt’s Creek” before fake ICE agents humorously escorted him offstage for not carrying a passport.
Despite the unexpected delay in their tour, fans can rest assured that Martin and Short’s signature humor remains intact. The rescheduled performances promise even more laughs when the duo returns to the stage in October. In the meantime, SNL50: The Anniversary Special is available for streaming on Peacock.