Martin Short, Maya Rudolph's Illnesses Fuel Steve Martin's "SNL 50th Covid Curse" Claim

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Post on Feb 24, 2025

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Steve Martin's "SNL 50th Covid Curse" Claim: Illness, Absence, and the Shadows of a Jubilant Anniversary

NEW YORK, NY – Steve Martin’s recent quip about a “COVID curse” haunting Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary celebration has sparked renewed interest in the illnesses that plagued several cast members and guests around that time. While no concrete evidence links these events to a single, supernatural “curse,” the confluence of misfortunes surrounding the milestone anniversary remains a curious and compelling anecdote.

Martin, a frequent and beloved SNL host, joked about the numerous high-profile absences and illnesses that affected the show's 50th-anniversary special and subsequent episodes. While the comedian hasn't specified the exact nature of his "curse" claim, it's widely understood to refer to the spate of illnesses impacting key figures, including Martin Short and Maya Rudolph.

Specific details about Short and Rudolph's illnesses around the 50th-anniversary period remain largely private. Neither has publicly disclosed the nature or severity of their health issues. However, reports surfaced at the time indicating that both experienced health problems that prevented or limited their participation in SNL related events. This absence was noticeable given both actors' close association with the show and their comedic partnerships with Martin.

News reports from late 2023 and early 2024 mention that several SNL cast members and crew also experienced illnesses, though the precise number and types of illnesses have not been consistently reported. Anecdotal evidence suggests a range of ailments, from the common cold to more serious conditions, affecting production and performance schedules. This contributed to the overall sense of disruption surrounding the anniversary celebrations.

The timing of these illnesses, clustered around the SNL 50th anniversary, fuelled speculation. The celebratory atmosphere was undoubtedly impacted by the absences. However, attributing these events to a singular “curse” is largely a humorous interpretation, rather than a scientifically supported claim.

Public health experts emphasize that viral illnesses are common, especially during the colder months when people gather indoors more frequently. The large number of individuals involved in SNL productions, coupled with the close proximity required for filming and rehearsals, creates a potentially susceptible environment for the rapid spread of pathogens. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon, not an otherworldly curse.

The SNL 50th anniversary, despite the interruptions caused by illness, ultimately went ahead, producing a series of episodes. However, the numerous absences and health issues serve as a potent reminder of the unpredictable nature of health and the challenges of staging large-scale productions, even ones as established as Saturday Night Live.

Steve Martin's "COVID curse" claim, therefore, should be interpreted as lighthearted commentary on a confluence of unfortunate timing, not a factual assertion of supernatural forces. It underscores, however, the reality that even the most iconic shows are vulnerable to the vagaries of health and unforeseen circumstances.