Steve Martin and Martin Short’s COVID-19 Diagnosis After SNL 50th Anniversary

A Star-Studded Celebration Ends with a Health Scare

The 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL) brought together some of Hollywood’s biggest names to celebrate a milestone in television history. Among the A-list attendees were Steve Martin, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Meryl Streep, Ryan Reynolds, and Blake Lively. The event, held in New York on Sunday, February 26, was a reunion of sorts, with legends and current stars alike gathering to honor the show’s legacy. However, the festive atmosphere took an unexpected turn when some of the attendees fell ill with COVID-19, sparking jokes and concerns about a so-called “SNL 50th Covid curse.”

Steve Martin and Martin Short’s COVID Diagnosis and Tour Delay

Steve Martin, 79, took to Instagram to share the news that both he and his longtime friend and collaborator, Martin Short, 74, had contracted COVID-19 after attending the SNL anniversary special. Martin posted a photo of Short and Maya Rudolph sharing a friendly kiss backstage, captioning it, “Maya [Rudolph] had Covid. Marty has Covid. I wonder why? The SNL 50th Covid curse is real.” The diagnosis has forced the duo to reschedule their upcoming shows on their Dukes of Funnytown Tour. The sold-out performances in Durham, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee, originally set for that weekend, have been pushed to October 17 and 18, respectively. Martin expressed his apologies for the inconvenience but added, “I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”

The SNL 50th Anniversary Special: A Night of Laughs and Jokes About Health

During the SNL anniversary special, the show’s writers couldn’t resist poking fun at the timing of the event amidst a winter of heightened health concerns. In the Weekend Update segment, Colin Jost quipped, “Health experts are facing increased pressure this winter in the face of outbreaks of COVID, the flu, RSV, and norovirus, which they’re calling a quad-demic. So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space.” The joke acknowledged the risks of gathering so many people in one place, especially during a time when multiple illnesses are circulating. Despite the humor, the reality of the situation soon became apparent as several attendees, including Short and Rudolph, tested positive for COVID-19.

Meryl Streep and Martin Short: A Rumored Romance?

The SNL 50th anniversary celebrations weren’t just about the show itself; they also included a star-studded concert, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, held on Friday, February 14. It was there that comedian Amy Schumer, 43, found herself seated between Martin Short and Meryl Streep, 75. Schumer couldn’t help but gush about the experience, telling People, “There’s really no one funnier to sit next to than Marty Short, who I got to sit next to at the homecoming concert the other night.” She also playfully hinted at a potential romance between Short and Streep, saying, “I think that the tea is, I think Marty might be off the market. That’s what I’m seeing. I don’t know.” Schumer’s comments sparked rumors about the two actors, though neither has publicly confirmed anything about a relationship.

Amy Schumer on Sitting Between Martin Short and Meryl Streep

Schumer’s seated position between Short and Streep during the concert seemed to give her a front-row seat to their dynamic. She described the experience as “a very fun seat to be seated in,” clearly enjoying the company of two of the entertainment industry’s most beloved figures. Schumer’s lighthearted teasing about Short and Streep’s relationship added to the buzz surrounding the event, even if it remained speculative. Her remarks also highlighted the camaraderie and playfulness that often come with gatherings of such high-profile celebrities.

Reflecting on the Event: Laughter, Legends, and Lingering Concerns

The SNL 50th anniversary special was a momentous occasion,-filled with nostalgia, humor, and reunions. But as the COVID-19 diagnoses of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Maya Rudolph remind us, even the most joyful celebrations can’t escape the realities of the ongoing pandemic. The event also showcased the resilience and adaptability of the entertainment industry, as well as the podpourri of talent that has made SNL a cornerstone of American comedy for decades. While the rescheduled tour dates for Martin and Short will give fans something to look forward to, the lingering concerns about health and safety serve as a reminder of the challenges we all continue to navigate.