Martin Short Would Call Billy Crystal to Replace Comedy Partner Steve Martin

With “Only Murders in the Building,” Martin Short is experiencing a late-career resurgence, thanks in no small part to his longtime friend and collaborator, Steve Martin. The fourth season of the popular series premieres this week. In addition to this hit series, Short and Martin have co-starred in iconic films such as “The Three Amigos” and the 1991 remake of “Father of the Bride.” They have also embarked on multiple national comedy tours, including their 2018 routine, “Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life,” now available on Netflix. Despite their close-knit bond, Short was quick to answer when asked who he would replace Martin with, should he ever need to.

“Oh, I’d phone Billy Crystal,” Short said during a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Martin faced a similar question in his recently released Apple TV+ documentary, “Steve!,” where he humorously replied that he’d probably quit. Short couldn’t resist making a joke at the expense of his comedy partner, noting he’s even made the same jest directly to Martin.

“In the show, we do each other’s eulogies,” Short said. “There was one joke I did about Steve: ‘I miss you so much, although Billy’s been looking so great in rehearsal.’”

If Short’s playful remarks about his dynamic with Martin raise any concerns, rest assured, this is just their comedy shtick. Earlier in the interview, Short emphasized that there is very little Martin could do to make him not want to work with him.

“Steve used to have a joke: ‘What I love about working with Marty is he understands the concept of 60-40.’ But the reality is no, these are not issues that mean anything to us,” Short said. “I think what would affect me with Steve is if he was rude to a waiter or if he snapped at me, and that’s the furthest thing from anything he’d ever do.”

During the discussion, Short recalled a dinner party game hosted by the late Nora Ephron, in which he tried to get attendees to admit the worst people they’ve worked with.

“Everyone was famous around the table — I won’t quote the names — and I said, ‘Who’s the biggest prick that anyone has ever worked with?’ It was amazing how many people said, ‘I don’t really think I have worked with any pricks, honestly.’ Nora’s husband, Nick Pileggi, who wrote ‘Goodfellas,’ said, ‘I can’t really think of anyone.’ Nora said, ‘Nick, you work with murderers!’ He said, ‘Yeah, but not pricks.’ And then it got to Nora. She said, ‘I can’t believe this table. I have a list of nine people! I’ve been trying to whittle it down!’”

Season 4 of “Only Murders in the Building” streams on Hulu this Tuesday, August 27.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Apple TV+