Steve Martin and Martin Short had both found success prior to meeting on the set of Three Amigos! in 1985. Martin had already gained much clout with his stand-up, particularly on the late-night talk show circuit. Then, he had his comedy albums, most notably 1978's A Wild and Crazy Guy. And, also at the tail end of the '70s, Martin broke into feature films with The Jerk.
On Short's end, he had a legendary run on SCTV from 1981 to 1984. Then, with the 1984 to 1985 season of Saturday Night Live, Short gained even more clout (though just for that one season). And, yet, it's like the two are brothers. It's genuinely hard to imagine one of them leading a studio picture without the other either co-leading or at least having a sizable role. One thing is for certain, they're going to keep working together. But, even if they don't, there are still quite a few collaborations for fans to enjoy. Just note that co-hosting gigs, e.g. for awards shows (but not SNL), were excluded from consideration.
9 Maya & Marty (2016)
Short-lived, and for good reason, Maya & Marty was basically just SNL 2.0. And that's precisely what it felt like. It doesn't matter if your two hosts are two of the most likable individuals on the planet, if the sketches fall short, the show as a whole falls short.
Steve Martin Was Only in Half of the Episodes
But, it still counts as a Steve Martin and Martin Short collaboration. Why? Of the six episodes produced, Martin was in half. There were a few moments of charm shared between the two, but otherwise, it just makes the viewer want to watch their SNL co-hosting episode instead.
8 Father of the Bride Part 3 (ish) (2020)
Yes, this barely counts. But, Father of the Bride Part 3(ish) is still a Martin and Short collaboration. It just happened to hit Netflix as a short. And then YouTube, still as a short, but a much more free and accessible one.
A More Forgettable Sequel
There's not much to say about Part 3(ish). The COVID era yielded the result of a few projects that were tailored to that era, and this was one of them. Frankly, it's one of the most well-functioning COVID-era projects. But, it still feels unecessary... and like you're just watching a bunch of celebrities halfway play their characters they actually played 20 years ago...this time on ZOOM. Stream Father of the Bride Part 3(ish) on YouTube.
7 Three Amigos! (1986)
It may have been their first collaboration, perhaps even their most famous, until Only Murders in the Building rolled around, but Three Amigos! is far from the best to come from Martin and Short. There are a few terrific gags, e.g. when Chevy Chase bathes himself with his canteen instead of actually sharing with his supposed amigos.
What Makes Three Amigos! Somewhat Hollow?
But, that's really all there is to Three Amigos! Not even the chemistry between Martin and Short is developed enough to really stand out. In the end, the most memorable thing about the movie is that Randy Newman helped write it (and voiced the burning bush). Stream Three Amigos! for free with ads on The Roku Channel.
6 Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
Father of the Bride Part II picks up four years after the first film left off. This time, Martin's George Banks doesn't have to worry about freaking out over his daughter's wedding...but he does have to freak out over her pregnancy.
What Makes it Their Most Average Collaboration?
This is a film comprised of what made the first one work. It's just a case of diminishing returns. Yet, Part II is enjoyable and hits the notes it should. It also gives Short even more screen time than the first one did. Stream Father of the Bride Part II on Disney+.
5 Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life (2018)
The duo's hilariously titled comedy show, An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life is an absolute treat. Utterly inoffensive but consistently funny, it's the ultimate showcase of these two performers' naturalistic chemistry. Of course, their ripping on each other helps with that.
What's in the Special?
While Martin and Short have been touring for quite some time, what's in An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life is almost entirely new material. The two also exchange a few deep but comedic memories of their shared careers. And, naturally, Martin's banjo pups up at some point. Or, in Short's words, 'Touring with Steve is like the film Deliverance. It's all fun and games until the banjo comes out.' Stream Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life on Netflix.
4 Father of the Bride (1991)
An inoffensive, quite likable comedy that has a level of appeal regardless of the viewer's age, Charles Shyer's Father of the Bride deserved to be a financial hit. And, unlike its sequel, it was a critical hit as well. And a big part of the film's success is not only Martin's deeply human performance, but Short's deeply silly one, as well.
What Makes The Father of the Bride Their Most Lovable Film?
The tone of this film is one of the most macro-scale accessible of the '90s. It's no wonder it spent over a decade being a mainstay favorite on cable television. It's tailor-made for a family unit's Sunday afternoon viewing. Stream Father of the Bride on Disney+.
3 Saturday Night Live (1986, 2006, 2013, 2021, Co-hosted in 2022)
Martin Short has one of the absolute best guest breaking character moments on Saturday Night Live (it's when he's playing the Queen of England's primary care physician). But, he's contributed so much more to the show's history, including by being a cast member for a single season. And, while that last part doesn't apply to Martin, he too has been a major asset to the show.
What Made Their SNL Collaborations Stand Out?
But, right now, we're not talking about those two individuals' individual performances, we're talking about SNL collaborations. And, in that regard, there are still a few episodes to pick from (individually, they've both been about as regular as Tina Fey or Seth Meyers). There have been a few decent mutual cameos over the years, too, solidifying the fact in SNL fans' minds that they're as much a duo as individuals. And, when they co-hosted not long ago, that was proven in spades. Stream Saturday Night Live on Hulu.
2 The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Save for the Woody Allen-led Antz, The Prince of Egypt was the very first DreamWorks Pictures animated film. With a traditional animation style, a wise script, and a slew of well-cast characters, it's a stone-cold winner. And, oddly enough, it has appeal even for those who aren't bible readers.
What Makes it a DreamWorks Classic?
The animation style in The Prince of Egypt should technically date it, but it doesn't. It's a detailed film, and a gorgeous one. It's also impeccably-cast, including the first (and for some reason only) time Martin and Short have been paired as animated characters. Rent The Prince of Egypt on Amazon Video.
1 Only Murders in the Building (2021 - Present)
Frankly, nothing else Martin and Short have done holds a candle to Hulu's Only Murders in the Building. It's their magnum opus. A project where both individuals feel entirely in their element, feeling free to craft unique characters that are both entertaining and relevant to the world in which we live. The narrative follows two older men who find themselves living in the same building, developing a friendship, and then a murder-solving podcast. As long as the murders happen in their building, they're fair game.
What Makes It the Duo's Best?
Loaded with as many genuinely surprising plot twists as lovable performances, Only Murders in the Building isn't just the best project from Martin and Short, it's the best Hulu original to date. And, as much credit goes to Martin and Short, an equal amount must go to Selena Gomez, who makes for an unexpectedly perfect addition to their repartee. Now, let's get Chevy Chase in Season 4. Stream Only Murders in the Building on Hulu.
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