Steve Martin Blames ‘SNL’ Alum for Giving Martin Short COVID

Comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short have long shared a close friendship, but after the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special, 

their bond now includes an unexpected twist—COVID-19.

In a lighthearted yet revealing social media post, Martin suggested that fellow SNL alum Maya Rudolph might have been the source of Short’s infection after the star-studded event.

The “SNL 50th COVID Curse”

Martin, who delivered the opening monologue at the live SNL 50th anniversary special, 

took to Instagram on Friday to share the unfortunate news that his longtime comedy partner Short had tested positive for COVID-19. 

But Short wasn’t the only one—Martin revealed that Maya Rudolph also came down with the virus after the celebration.

In his post, Martin included a telling photo of Rudolph planting a kiss on Short’s lips during the event. Alongside the image, he wrote, “Maya had Covid. Marty has Covid. I wonder why?”

Adding to the humor, he coined the phrase “The SNL 50th Covid curse is real,” highlighting just how many people seemed to have fallen ill in the aftermath of the gathering. Unfortunately for fans, this also meant that Martin and Short were forced to reschedule two of their upcoming “sold out” shows in Durham, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee, to allow Short time to recover. Ever the entertainer, Martin reassured fans that the delay might be a good thing, quipping, “I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”

More Stars Feeling the Effects

Short wasn’t the only high-profile name to come down with something after the event. Original SNL cast member Laraine Newman, 72, also shared a photo on Instagram featuring her flu medication with the caption “SNL50.” Meanwhile, The View co-host Joy Behar revealed that Whoopi Goldberg, who was present at the anniversary show, had been absent from the talk show for much of the week due to illness. Behar warned viewers, “It’s going around, be careful.”

The SNL 50th special, held at 30 Rock’s famous Studio 8H, was packed with former and current cast members, celebrities, and longtime friends of the show. The sheer number of attendees crammed into the iconic set may have created the perfect conditions for a widespread outbreak.

Ironically, SNL star Colin Jost had joked about this exact possibility during his Weekend Update segment on Sunday night. He referenced the increased concerns from health experts regarding rising cases of COVID, the flu, RSV, and norovirus—dubbed the “quaddemic.” With a grin, Jost quipped, “So we did the smart thing and packed every beloved entertainer over 60 into one tiny space.”

While it remains unclear just how many attendees may have contracted the virus, given the close quarters and the many interactions throughout the night, it wouldn’t be surprising if more reports of illness surface in the coming days.

Martin Short and Meryl Streep: A ‘Close’ Friendship

One of the most talked-about moments of the SNL 50th celebration was the continued speculation surrounding Martin Short and Meryl Streep’s relationship. The two have been frequently seen together in recent months, leading to internet buzz about a possible romance. Their warm interactions during the SNL special only fueled those rumors.

However, Short previously addressed the speculation during an appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast, clarifying that he and Streep are simply “close friends” and nothing more. Despite his denial, some fans still can’t help but wonder whether Streep may have also been exposed to the virus, given how much time she spent with Short during the festivities.

The topic even made its way onto the Superfly podcast, hosted by SNL alums Dana Carvey and David Spade. While Carvey was unable to attend the SNL 50 event due to his own battle with the flu, Spade was present and weighed in on the Short-Streep dynamic.

“I guess [Streep] and Martin Short are friends…,” Carvey mused, prompting Spade to joke, “If they are together, fun. Those two look like a blast.”

A Lighthearted Take on an Unfortunate Situation

While dealing with illness is never fun, Steve Martin’s comedic approach to the situation has provided a bit of levity. His social media post, which playfully pointed to Maya Rudolph as the possible source of Short’s infection, was classic Martin—turning an unfortunate situation into a moment of humor.

For now, Short will focus on recovering, and fans will have to wait a little longer to see the duo back on stage together. However, knowing these two comedy icons, they’ll likely find a way to turn the whole ordeal into another hilarious bit when they return.

As for the rest of the SNL attendees, only time will tell how far the “SNL 50th COVID curse” has spread. But one thing is for sure—this anniversary special will be remembered for more than just its iconic reunions.

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