It's hard to imagine a reality without Saturday Night Live at this rate. It almost exists as an American staple, not too dissimilar from BBQ and tax breaks for rich people. Sure, nowadays, it doesn't hold the same charm and humor as years past. Our stars in comedy don't sow their seeds at SNL anymore with the benefits of the internet. But back in the day, legendary comedic actors like Martin Short used to cut their teeth on the show. However, there was a time when the show might not get off the ground floor. Short certainly thought the same and almost quit because of it.
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Recently, Martin went on Jimmy Fallon's show to promote the newest season of Only Murders in the Building. Moreover, he's promoting his homecoming to Saturday Night Live as a host. There, he candidly admits that he worried about SNL in the long term and the stress became unbearable. Consequently, he always kept one foot out the door just in case. "I was terrified, every show. I treated it like a special," Short explains.
Martin Short Thought SNL Would Be Canceled Early On
Apparently, Martin attempted to exit from SNL four different times back in 1985. He tells co-creator Dick Ebersol that he hasn't cashed out any of his checks for the show and wanted out a few times. However, Ebersol went into overdrive trying to ease Short's anxieties about the show. Dick argues that the Canadian comedian's departure would make both parties look bad in the aftermath. "Because, he later told me, if I made it to Christmas, I would have figured out how to do the show, but it was always nerve-wracking to me," Martin shares.
That stretch saw some real heavy hitters come onto the show. I'm not certain SNL would've suffered too much without Martin Short on board. However, I do feel confident in saying that Short's career would look a bit different had he not stuck it out.
