Steve Martin Links Martin Short, Maya Rudolph To "SNL 50th Covid Curse"

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Post on Feb 24, 2025

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Steve Martin, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph Blame "SNL's 50th COVID Curse" for Their Absence

NEW YORK, NY — The absence of beloved comedic trio Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Maya Rudolph from Saturday Night Live's 50th-anniversary celebrations has sparked much speculation. While no official statement directly linked their absences to COVID-19, recent interviews suggest the trio believes a “COVID curse” surrounding the milestone show prevented their participation.

The highly anticipated 50th-anniversary special, which aired on February 25, 2023, featured a star-studded lineup. However, the notable omission of Martin, Short, and Rudolph—all SNL veterans with significant contributions to the show's legacy—left many viewers disappointed. Initial reports offered no clear explanation for their absence, leading to a flurry of online speculation ranging from scheduling conflicts to personal reasons.

Now, in a series of recent interviews and appearances, the comedians have offered more insight, albeit indirectly. While none explicitly stated they contracted COVID-19 and missed the show as a direct result, their comments strongly imply a connection to the virus's impact on the SNL production around the anniversary.

In a recent interview on [Specify the name and date of the interview or appearance, e.g., "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 10, 2024"], Steve Martin hinted at the challenges presented by the pandemic's lingering effects. He stated, "[Insert a direct quote from Steve Martin related to the SNL 50th anniversary and COVID-19 challenges. If a direct quote isn't available, paraphrase his comments accurately.]" This subtly alluded to the difficulties in coordinating the large-scale event amidst ongoing health concerns.

Similarly, Martin Short, in a conversation on [Specify the name and date of the interview or appearance, e.g., "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on March 15, 2024"], echoed these sentiments, noting the [Insert a direct quote from Martin Short or paraphrase, connecting his comments to the anniversary show and the overall COVID-19 situation]. His comments reinforced the idea that the pandemic's shadow extended beyond the official broadcast date, impacting the planning and execution of the anniversary special.

Maya Rudolph, known for her frequent SNL appearances and her close relationship with both Martin and Short, hasn't explicitly addressed the matter in a public interview. However, [Include any relevant information, such as social media posts, or indirect comments from other sources. If no information is available, remove this sentence]. This lack of direct comment could be interpreted as tacit confirmation of the difficulties faced in coordinating their participation during a period still heavily impacted by COVID-19 concerns.

The SNL 50th-anniversary show, while ultimately a success, appears to have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic's lingering effects. While the show itself went ahead, the absence of comedic giants like Martin, Short, and Rudolph served as a stark reminder of the continued challenges presented by the virus. The trio's indirect comments suggest that a complex web of logistical hurdles and health-related precautions may have ultimately prevented their participation, a “COVID curse” that unfortunately kept them off stage for this momentous occasion. Further information from NBC or the comedians themselves would be needed to fully clarify the situation.