Weekend Love Letter: Dear Martin Short...

(image via)

Quick question: Do you like Martin Short? I find that most people's instant reaction is "no," but give it a minute or two while you think back over Father of the Bride, Three Amigos, SNL and SCTV, Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick... If your answer isn't "yes" now, I can't help you. I have no problem saying it, I love Martin Short. I'll even admit this: he was one of my very first celebrity crushes - only in Three Amigos, and only for the day or two until I told my best friend (even then she was horrified by the idea).

I have a not-so-secret bias toward Canadian comedians - I don't know what it is about the Canadian culture that makes them so funny, but check out the luminaries on this list (I was not aware that Phil Hartman was Canadian too, but in my mind, that's pretty much the end of the argument). Anyway, I've always admired lots about Martin Short's comic style, particularly his timing. There's a great monologue from his time at the Second City (featured on the CDs that come with this book) in which he plays a rabbi, and his timing is impeccable. I also love how he fills a scene with details - watch the video below and check out the little skip he does on the way to the window.

I was just watching the episode of Arrested Development he guest starred in ("Ready, Aim, Marry Me"), and even though it must be about the fourth time I've seen it, it made me laugh out loud. Still, I kind of see why people may find him annoying now - there's a certain type of over-the-top character he has played recently that I don't love: Jack Frost, Mad Hatter and even going back to A Simple Wish. Unfortunately, that's the way people think of him now, and it's unfair. I think a lot of people overlooked Jiminy Glick for that reason, which is a shame because what a great character. Still, I find him such a likable presence on screen, no matter what part he's playing, that I can probably enjoy him in anything. Just think: who else would you rather see as Jack Frost? If the character's going to be over-the-top anyway, you might as well get the best over-the-top actor there is.

So to sum up, I love Martin Short. I love his movies, I love him on TV and I love him on stage. That's all.