Comedy Chameleon

HBO presents

March 2, 2001

An alumnus of "SCTV and "Saturday Night Live," this comedy chameleon has appeared in such hit films as "The Three Amigos," "Inner Space" and "Father of the Bride." He has co-starred on numerous television shows, and hosted his daily talk show, "The Martin Short Show." His new series, "Primetime Glick," will be seen on Comedy Central.

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HBO: Welcome to today's chat with the man who over the years has introduced us to an array of self-created original characters such as Ed Grimley and Jackie Rogers Jr., not to mention his dead-on impressions, including Katherine Hepburn, which generally leaves anyone shaking with laughter! Please welcome Martin Short!

Martin Short: I'm thrilled to be here. It's exciting to talk to people who I'll never meet again!

Lindalou: Is there any possibility of you doing a sitcom anytime in the near future?

Martin Short: My enjoyment tends to come from satirizing that form as opposed to doing it. I always feel a little self-conscious comedically when being sincere, and you need an element of sincerity to make sitcoms work in prime time. People like Ray Romano are so good at it. I don't know if that plays into my strengths.

Allison: Who's your most favorite leading female actress?

Martin Short: I would say it's Jan Hooks or Catherine O'Hara or Andrea Martin or Gilda Radner.

Mark: What types of activities did you excel at a young age? Sports? clowning around? Academics?

Martin Short: Clowning around was one of my best things. If the teacher was weak, that's when I took advantage. If the teacher was strong, I was as good as gold.

Robert: Hi, Martin! Is the a website on the Net for fans ?

Martin Short: You know, I don't know! I do email and that's about it. No plans for one in the near future.

Matt789: Who is one person, famous or not, that has had the greatest impact on your life?

Martin Short: I think that might be Mike Nichols. As a kid, he had an album called "Nichols and May," and for me it was not so much that they were doing jokes, but there were doing characters and real people and creating situations. I didn't respond much to standup as a kid, but I did respond to that. That, and Frank Sinatra.

Matt789: What would you say is your favorite artist or song at the present time?

Martin Short: I like Dave Matthews - his last album, anything on it.

Larry The Scary Rex: There are so many Canadian comedians out there - you, the late John Candy, Jim Carrey, Jean Chretien (j/k!) Is there a national comedy gene, do you think?

Martin Short: I think Canada is very conducive to developing comedy spirits, because comedy is best nurtured in a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere and I think Canada provides that. Eccentrics are often appreciated, more than just "Take my wife, please!" We like Python. That's why so many comedy lights are coming right now from Canada, and have for the last 20 years.

Sarah: If you were not a comedian what job might you have right now?

Martin Short: I was going to be a social worker. I studied that in university. Maybe a teacher. Not working the Slushee machine at 7/11, but being the manager. Unless the kid didn't know how to make the Slushee!

Chat: What is the atmosphere like at the Comedy Fest this year?

Martin Short: It's very fun and loose. First of all, it's wildly beautiful here in Aspen. There are great restaurants, and people ski all day. You see people you don't see in the course of the year. Catherine O'Hara is doing a midnight lounge act, where people can get up and perform until 2 in the morning. It's good!

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