Conan O’Brien ended this year’s Oscars with words of support for his friend Martin Short: “I love you Martin Short!” he shouted from the Dolby Theater stage as he ended the telecast.
Short postponed her comedy tour with Steve Martin following the death of her daughter Katherine Short, who died last month at age 42 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Short and Martin postponed plans for “The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short” after their daughter’s death. It’s unclear when the tour will resume, but Martin’s website lists dates starting in April.
Martin Short’s representative said in a statement last month: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Catherine Hartley Short.” “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”
Short also recently struggled with the death of his “SCTV” co-star Catherine O’Hara, who passed away in January.
Short was a frequent guest of O’Brien over the years, including on O’Brien’s podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.” Here’s an episode from 8 months ago:
And he was in 2002 when Short appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.”
This is O’Brien’s second year hosting the Oscars, which aired live on ABC and Hulu on Sunday night. O’Brien began the show by targeting Hollywood celebrities such as Timothée Chalamet and Ted Sarandos.
O’Brien also got serious at one point, saying, “Tonight is an international event. I’m going to be a little serious, but everyone watching all over the world right now is very aware that these are very chaotic and frightening times. It’s moments like these that make Oscar… I think that’s especially resonant. Thirty-one countries from six continents are represented tonight. And every film we salute is the product of thousands of people, speaking different languages, working hard to make something beautiful. We’re paying for it.” Tonight we pay homage not just to cinema, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, perseverance, resilience, and that rarest quality today: optimism. ”
O’Brien began the show with a pre-taped segment in which he dressed as Aunt Gladys, played by Amy Madigan from Weapons, and then ended it with another pre-taped segment in which he was offered to host the Oscar ceremony “for life,” but was then sent to a nondescript office where he was gassed and cremated. It’s like Sean Penn’s role in “One Battle After Another.”
