Summary
- A scathing article criticizing Martin Short's career led to a celebrity-filled defense.
- Many celebrities, including Ben Stiller and Mark Hamill, have come to Short's defense, calling him a comedic genius and hilarious.
- Martin Short currently stars in "Only Murders in the Building" season 3.
Martin Short is one of the most beloved comedy actors working today, and following a scathing critique of his work, tons of celebrities have come to the actor's defense. Martin Short can be seen in Only Murders in the Building, where he plays Oliver Putnam, an eccentric theater director and one-third of a podcast group that attempts to solve murders, all of which happen in their apartment building. The show is wonderfully goofy, rich with detail, and has a unique spin on the murder mystery genre, but it's Short's chemistry with Selena Gomez and longtime collaborator Steve Martin that has made the show a hit.
While Only Murders in the Building would have been many younger audiences' introduction to Short, the actor has been working in television and movies for decades. Along with being part of the Only Murders in the Building cast, Short is known for creating and playing the fictional character Ed Grimley, starring in the classic comedy Father of the Bride, and his scene-stealing guest appearances in sitcoms such as Modern Family and Curb Your Enthusiasm. When it comes to comedy actors, Short is considered a national treasure. However, there's no doubt that his brand of comedy can be an acquired taste, and that led to the biting Slate article.
"Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short" - The Viral Article About Martin Short, Explained
An article was published on Slate titled "Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short," which went into great detail about why the theatrical actor doesn't deserve the fame, success, and popularity he has. The article made sure to point out that Short had not one but two failed talk shows, and that very few of his movies become box office hits. Most notably, the article stated, "I find Martin Short’s whole schtick exhausting, sweaty, and desperately unfunny." Between Short's song-and-dance routines, his stand-up comedy, and movie disasters like 1994's Clifford, the article criticized Short's entire career.
The Slate article added, "Every time he dresses up in a silly outfit or says something outrageous or mugs for the audience, I want to shout at the screen: Why are you being like this?" After the article was posted on September 8, 2023, it went viral, inspiring a number of other think-pieces about the actor and encouraging everyone on social media to provide their own opinion on the Only Murders in the Building performer. "Why We Keep Putting Up With Martin Short" has led to a series of debates and become something of a controversial topic, but most have come to Short's defense.
What Celebrities Have Said In Defense Of Martin Short
Given that the Slate article led to a social media frenzy, it wasn't just fans of Martin Short that came to his defense, but many big-name actors commented on the matter too. Ben Stiller, who worked with Short on Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, bluntly tweeted, "Martin Short is a comedic genius. End o story." Mark Hamill also praised Short in a tweet, noting, "Hard to believe people are actually debating whether or not Martin Short is funny. Newsflash: He is HILARIOUS."
J. Smith-Cameron, who plays Gerri Kellman in Succession, hilariously commented on one mistake the Slate writer made, tweeting, "The infamous Martin Short article is filled with clips or references to characters that the writer finds annoying somehow, but are so entertaining that the article is a valentine in spite of itself." A number of other famous actors, including John Cusack and Michael McKean, also quickly came to the defense of Short.
Why So Many People Have Been Quick To Defend Martin Short
As the scathing Slate article points out, Roger Ebert once said that Clifford is the "movie that should never have been made." However, the article also points out that even a movie that is negatively received has a huge fanbase, even if the Clifford fanbase is "baked" while watching it. The article itself reveals how much appeal the eccentric actor really has and how he's totally unique in Hollywood. While even Short its that he's a love-or-hate kind of performer (via Vulture), the actor has provided decades' worth of laughter, and several generations have grown up with him.
Even 50 years into his career, Short is still gaining new fans, as his role in Only Murders in the Building has captured the hearts of younger audiences who have worked backward through his filmography. While Short might be a little too goofy for some people, his theatrical style of over-the-top acting has been utilized in so many different genres. Between silly comedies, Saturday Night Live sketches, and even the absurdist Paul Thomas Anderson movie Inherent Vice, the specific Martin Short brand of comedy might be peculiar, but his work has been cherished by many for decades.
Sources: Slate, Vulture.
