Looking for two respected multi-threat performers whose first names begin with Ma to headline a variety series?
Read on to learn more about M&Ms journey into song, dance, and sketch.
(And to find out whichSNLskit by the other person they love the most,click here).
Credit: Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC
You performed together ontheSNL 40anniversary show, with Maya as Beyonce.
Were there any thoughts of doing a show together at that point?
Or did the seeds grow from that appearance?
MARTIN SHORT:I think the seeds grew from that appearance.
Maya and I would improvise together and wed laugh together.
Wed go into little bits and then wed have dinners.
MAYA RUDOLPH:Its also nice to know each others voices even if youve never worked together before.
So I knew that I was in these great hands.
All the parts that make a whole are the most important thing.
What do you remember of your very first meeting?
RUDOLPH:Marty remembers everything.
RUDOLPH:You have months, dates, and something else I feel like.
You said it was May 2005.
SHORT:Yes, it was May 2005, Tom Brady, Tom Brady Im Rain Man.
[in Charlie Babbitt voice] Tom Brady was the host, it was raining that day.
RUDOLPH:Im going to say its a light Rain Man.
SHORT:So anyway, thats when we met.
Maya was always there.
And then of course I did a Paul Thomas Anderson movie [Inherent Vice] that Maya was in.
I knew I could waddle down there, seven-and-a-half months pregnant, and just sit there and watch him.
It was such a joy.
SHORT:We had fun.
RUDOLPH:Martys the kind of dude that, and I say dude specifically because hes just easy.
Because you were wearing platform boots.
SHORT:It was hip to wear platform boots.
RUDOLPH:You were racing Bette Midler.
RUDOLPH:And hes still wearing them today.
SHORT:He needed the height.
How would you two describe your chemistry in eight words or less?
I cant think of a word…
SHORT:I finished school; she didnt.
RUDOLPH:Im not waking up today.
SHORT:A shared background… Im counting of improv…and joy of entertaining.
Im going to say, We speak the same language of comedy.
SHORT:Exactly what I said.
RUDOLPH:And joy.
But mine was nine because I didnt say a.
How did you decide whose name goes first?
SHORT:Lady goes first.
RUDOLPH:Is that why?
You came up with it.
I never asked because I keep my mouth shut.
I felt like it ended there to let you know this is your buddy.
Marty is letting you know what youre in for, which is…
SHORT:Cheap comedy.
RUDOLPH:Cheap thrills.
Youre both very versatile.
Martin, if you could steal one skill from Maya, what would it be?
I think thats kind of remarkable.
RUDOLPH:Thats my parrot instinct.
I think it comes from music and imitating back what I hear, Ive noticed that.
I think Im a good mimic because its a musical connection.
That and Im just empty on the inside.
SHORT:Yeah, yeah, when theres no real person you have to be someone else.
But thats not the person that you talk to about life and love and liberty.
And thats such a beautiful thing to have, because its so skilled and so easy and so relaxed.
RUDOLPH:I think that people think its tough to crack.
Im certainly not interested in trying to do something thats difficult.
This is what I like doing, and this is the format I like doing it in.
SHORT: Weve been asked that a lot.
I never really understand it because varietys completely back.
ThatsThe Ed Sullivan Show.Jimmy Fallonis variety.Kimmel.
RUDOLPH:It felt likeGleewas a variety show.
SHORT:It just wasnt hosted by Donny and Marie.
RUDOLPH:Itd be weird if they were all hosted by Donny and Marie.
SHORT:And thats where you and I dont agree.
SHORT:Well, I did Carol Burnett.
I did her show.
RUDOLPH:When did you doCarol Burnett?
SHORT:When Carol came back.
RUDOLPH:Why dont I know this?
That was like a surreal fantasy come true.
So I would say that one.
I felt very drawn to the atmosphere, the coolness, the rock and roll sensibility of it.
Ive always been drawn to New York.
It looked like they were having a party, and thats the thing that I wanted.
I was like, Ive got to get to that place.
I want to be with them and their friends.
[to Short] But you were here.
Was it really like that?
SHORT:I was here in the 80s.
I did it after it had been on for 10 years.
It was odd when I did it.
I had a one-year contract.
RUDOLPH:Yeah, that was different.
SHORT:So I treatedeveryshow like it was a special.
When does the spring come?
When can I go back to Toronto?
I wanted to be…
SHORT:J. P. Morgan?
RUDOLPH:I wanted to be J. P. Morgan.
SHORT:You know theres a newMatch Game?
RUDOLPH:I know.
We were both invited to do it, but I think we have a show.
SHORT:Yeah, we do.
RUDOLPH:But boy, wouldnt that be fun to sit there like (hums theme song)?
[Short laughs] I mean, that, to me, looks like a good hang.
And, absolutely, Carol Burnett.
Maya, you did avariety special for NBCtwo years ago.
What lesson did you pull away from that?
And that work should be a joy.
Whats one promise that you guys are willing to make about this new show?
SHORT:I dont know if the word is promise.
Youhopethat it will accomplish.
RUDOLPH:Im going to be with this show in sickness and health.
RUDOLPH:And a fun place to invite people who make us laugh.
Which celebrities will pop up and what will you make them do?
SHORT:Well, on the first show is Jimmy Fallon.
RUDOLPH:Were going to force him to do alotof stuff in lederhosen.
SHORT:Miley Cyrus.
RUDOLPH:Dont give it all away.
I want them to be surprised.
SHORT:Theres a thing calledTV Guide.
RUDOLPH:Do they still haveTV Guide, or is it like a digital booklet?
SHORT:No, no.
I love theTV Guidecross-word puzzle.
How difficult it would be:The Tonight Sh.
Two letters…
What advice did Lorne Michaels give you?
RUDOLPH:[To Short] Has he given you advice yet about the show?
SHORT:I dont know if hes given me advice.
Lorne has great theories about show business.
RUDOLPH:I like two of his theories.
And the other one is aboutSNL, that it doesnt go on at 11:30 because its ready.
It goes on at 11:30 because its 11:30.
SHORT: [Laughs] I like that.
Ive not heard either one of those.
And how do you feel running into each other in the hallway at 3 a.m.?
RUDOLPH: You have not seen me run faster.
SHORT: I dont recognize Maya at that point the makeups off.
RUDOLPH:And you dont want to seethatwhen it falls.
