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Martin Short is receiving an outpouring of love after a controversial hit about the actor.
On Friday (September 8), Slate published an article titled “Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short,” describing it as “staggeringly unfunny.”
Author Dan Kois explained: “During his evolution from standout sketch comedian to troubled movie star to twice-failed talk show host to song-and-dance enthusiast, I turned up my nose.
“Every time he puts on a silly outfit or says something outrageous or makes a joke to the audience, I want to scream at the screen: Why are you like that?”
Kois’ claims have struck a chord as social media is now flooded with posts explaining why the article was “nasty” and “misguided”. At the time of writing on Saturday (September 9), Short was the number one trending topic on X/Twitter.
Clips of Short from SNL, his cameo roles on sitcoms like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development and Modern Family, and hit interviews are widely shared alongside messages of support for the actor.
Ben Stiller wrote: “Martin Short is a comedic genius. End of story,” and Succession actor J Smith Cameron adds, “The infamous Martin Short article is full of clips or references to characters that the author finds kind of annoying but are so entertaining that the article is a Valentine’s Day is.”
John Cusack chimed in: “I don’t know what people say about Martin Short – but his Mister Rodgers boxing match is my favorite.”
Shortly after the article went live, This is Spinal Tap and Better Call Saul actor Michael McKean wrote: “The guy really turned the whole Martin Short story on its head, didn’t he?”
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Short, who currently stars alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez in Only Murders in the Building, rose to fame as a sketch comedian in the late 1970s.
(Craig Blankenhorn / Hulu)
In 1984 he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live where he created the characters Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley.
In the same decade, the 73-year-old Canadian star made his Broadway debut and appeared in films such as “Three Amigos” and “Innerspace.” His other credits include the 1991 remake of Father of the Bride and Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks! (1996).
Since 2015 he has been going on stand-up tours with his regular partner Martin, and in 2017 a special filmed for Netflix received four Emmy nominations.
He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Only Murders in the Building, in which he plays Broadway director and part-time detective Oliver Putnam. Overall, he won two Emmys and a Tony Award.