The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special was a star-studded event, 

bringing together legendary cast members, hosts, and musical guests to celebrate five decades of comedy. 

However, the celebration has since been overshadowed by reports of illness among attendees, 

with Steve Martin revealing that both Martin Short and Maya Rudolph have tested positive for COVID-19 after the event.

Steve Martin Shares the News on Social Media

Steve Martin took to Instagram on Thursday to inform fans that his longtime comedy partner, 

Martin Short, and actress Maya Rudolph had both contracted COVID-19 following the special. 

Sharing a photo of Short and Rudolph sharing a playful kiss during the event, Martin humorously wrote, “Maya had Covid. Marty has Covid. I wonder why? The SNL 50th Covid curse is real.”

While Martin’s caption was lighthearted, the news has raised concerns about the spread of illness at the gathering, which saw a packed house of SNL alumni, celebrities, and fans coming together in close quarters.

Martin Short’s Diagnosis Forces Tour Rescheduling

Short’s illness has already impacted his professional schedule, as he and Steve Martin were forced to make adjustments to their ongoing Dukes of Funnytown comedy tour. Due to Short’s diagnosis, the duo announced they would be rescheduling their highly anticipated sold-out shows in Durham, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee.

“Unfortunately, we have to reschedule this weekend’s sold-out Durham and Knoxville dates to 10/17 Knoxville and 10/18 Durham. So sorry for the inconvenience,” Martin wrote. “I think we’ll be funnier then, anyway.”

Fans who were eager to see the comedy legends perform live will now have to wait a little longer, but Martin’s humor about the situation suggests that Short is expected to recover in time to resume their tour later in the year.

More Illnesses Reported Following ‘SNL 50’

Martin Short and Maya Rudolph weren’t the only ones who fell ill following the SNL 50th anniversary festivities. Comedian Dana Carvey, known for his iconic characters on SNL such as Garth from Wayne’s World and the Church Lady, was notably absent from the event.

Carvey later revealed on the Fly on the Wall podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow SNL alum David Spade, that he had to sit out the big night due to illness.

“I wasn’t there. I had the flu,” Carvey explained to Spade. “I was on the downside of it, but I still didn’t have the oomph to travel. Wasn’t recommended. So you went to represent our podcast.”

Spade, who did attend the event, said many people asked him about Carvey’s absence. “You did want to be there, and you would’ve f—ing killed it, of course,” Spade reassured him.

While Carvey’s illness was reported as the flu rather than COVID-19, the cluster of illnesses following the event has led to speculation about whether the gathering may have contributed to the spread of infections.

Concerns Over COVID-19 at Large Gatherings

The news of multiple illnesses following SNL 50 serves as a reminder that COVID-19 and other viruses continue to pose risks at large events. Despite vaccines and treatments helping to reduce the severity of infections, gatherings like the anniversary special—where hundreds of people were in close proximity—can still result in outbreaks.

Fans have expressed concern for Short, Rudolph, and others who may have been exposed at the event. However, given Martin’s lighthearted approach to sharing the news and the lack of reports about severe illness, it seems that those affected are expected to recover without major complications.

The Legacy of ‘SNL’ Carries On

Despite the unexpected wave of illnesses, the SNL 50th anniversary special remains a milestone event, celebrating five decades of groundbreaking comedy. The show, which has been a launching pad for some of the biggest names in entertainment, continues to leave an indelible mark on pop culture.

While Short, Rudolph, and Carvey may have faced some post-event setbacks, their legacies within SNL history remain strong. Fans will undoubtedly be looking forward to Short’s return to the stage with Steve Martin and to seeing Maya Rudolph back in action once she recovers.

For now, it seems the SNL 50 “COVID curse” has taken a few comedy legends temporarily out of commission—but knowing their resilience, they’ll be back making audiences laugh in no time.

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