In the wake of Slate’s recent publication, a scathing op-ed surfaced on Friday, September 8, that unrelentingly took aim at the beloved comedian, Martin Short, now at the sprightly age of 73. The essay, bearing the provocative title “Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short,” penned by Dan Kois, unleashed a torrent of criticism, brandishing Short’s comedic repertoire as “devastatingly unfunny.”
Kois, the op-ed’s architect, didn’t mince words as he dissected Short’s comedic toolkit, labeling it an “eager-to-please flamboyance” that displayed an almost desperate penchant for eliciting laughter at any cost. Kois was unrelenting in his assault on Short’s legion of “over-the-top” characters, cultivated over an illustrious career spanning more than four decades. In no uncertain terms, he deemed these personas “unbelievably annoying” and condemned Short’s entire comedic persona as “exhausting, sweaty, and desperately unfunny.”
In Kois’s words, “Throughout his evolution from sketch-comedy standout to uneasy movie star to twice-failed talk-show host to enthusiastic song-and-dance man, I’ve wrinkled my nose.” He bemoaned the moments when Short adorned himself in ludicrous attire, uttered outrageous phrases, or engaged in over-the-top theatrics, lamenting with every fiber of his being, “Why are you being like this?”
The moment Kois’ essay hit the digital stands, Short’s name became the veritable blazing comet of the social media cosmos. Fans, like an impassioned army, rallied in defense of their beloved humor maestro, flooding the internet with snippets of Short’s comedic genius from his iconic stints on Saturday Night Live, Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and an extensive catalog of other comedic gems.
One particularly ardent supporter, in a tweet reminiscent of X (formerly Twitter), dispelled Kois’s critiques with a whimsical flourish: “‘Martin Short isn’t funny’ doesn’t need argument because it’s not even a thing. It’s like someone saying ‘The sun isn’t hot!’ You just smile at that person and hope they get the help they need.”
Another, equally fervent, opined, “If you dislike Martin Short, I’m going to assume you also dislike kittens, chocolate ice cream, sunshine, butterflies, and fluffy bunnies,” eliciting nods of agreement from the virtual peanut gallery. A third chimed in with a wry smile, “You’re entitled to your open opinion. Unless you think Martin Short isn’t funny.”
But Kois didn’t limit his barrage to Short’s earlier works. He also scrutinized the comedian’s latest endeavor as Oliver Putnam in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” a role that has garnered Short not one, but two coveted Emmy nominations since the show’s 2021 premiere. Kois, in a tone bordering on grudging acknowledgment, conceded that Short’s season 3 performance, punctuated by Oliver’s heart attack, adopted a more “quasi-naturalist” demeanor. However, he was swift to add, “you can always see the mischievous glint in his eye.”
This time, fans were having none of it. A passionate rebuttal emerged, declaring, “Genuinely weird to write a hit piece on Martin Short when the most recent episode of Only Murders in the Building has him giving one of the best romantic dramedy performances anyone’s ever done since his costar [Steve Martin] also dated and smoked with Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated.” Another chimed in with unwavering conviction, asserting, “Martin Short is truly one of the only comedians who not only has remained funny as he’s gotten older (which is already super rare) but somehow has only gotten funnier.”
In a somewhat unexpected twist, Kois offered a glimpse into Short’s private life, painting a picture of a “calm, well-adjusted guy” who wears the hats of a devoted friend, loving husband, and doting father with aplomb. Despite the vitriol unleashed on his comedic persona, Kois would, over a meal, find Short to be nothing less than a “lovely gent.”
Yet, Short’s charm wasn’t confined to Kois alone. Fans and celebrities alike came forward to shower him with praise for his genuine and kind-hearted nature. Jerry O’Connell, with a touch of nostalgia, reminisced about a chance encounter with Short during his youth, recounting, “When I was a kid, I walked up to Martin Short and told him I loved THREE AMIGOS. He could not have been kinder to this annoying kid. I think about that exchange a lot.”
Another enduring memory resided in a 2012 interview, where Short’s graciousness shone through. When the Today Show’s Kathie Lee Gifford fumbled her recollection of his wife, Nancy Dolman, having passed away a year earlier, Short, without a hint of reproach, simply replied, “Madly in love.” In that moment, his magnanimity left an indelible mark on all who witnessed it.
