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Painfully Awkward: Totally Unaware That She Died Two Years Ago, ‘Today Show’ Host Asks Martin Short How His Wife Is Doing

May. 30, 2012 6:36pm Becket Adams

While interviewing actor and comedian Martin Short on the “Today Show,” host Kathie Lee Gifford made an embarrassing mistake: she asked him how he manages to stay in love with his wife, Nancy Dolman, after 36 years of marriage.

Why is that an embarrassing mistake? Because Dolman died of ovarian cancer two years ago.

“And he and Nancy have one of the greatest marriages of anybody in show business. How many years now for you guys?” Gifford asked during a live broadcast of the show.

“We, ah, married 36 years,” Short responded.

“But you’re still in love?”

“Madly in love.”

“Why?” Gifford pressed.

“Cute,” Short responded. “I’m cute!”

Gifford obviously had no idea that Short’s wife died of ovarian cancer in 2010. But Short decided to do her a huge favor and didn’t bother to correct her on air.

Watch the painful moment (via TMZ):

Once the show ended, Short politely informed Gifford that his wife had passed away in 2010, prompting her send out the following Tweet:

Image courtesy Daily Mail

This story has been updated.

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Comments (161)

Turin
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:38pm
I’ve never thought Martin Short was funny… unless I compared him to Gilbert Gotfried, but I’m very impressed with the way he handled himself in what must have been an awkward, uncomfortable situation for him. Best wishes to him and his family.

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- jtgun
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:33pm
  “Captain Ron” was funny , “Three Amigos” was funny , and “Three Fugitives” was adorable .
  
  Report this comment
- hapvalpsu
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:41pm
  Innerspace!
  
  Report this comment
- pavepaws
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:15pm
  A graceful gentleman.
  
  Report this comment
- spirited
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:11pm
  Martin Short is VERY talented –actually.
  …and he sings.
  
  > He really, really, really can sing.
  
  Report this comment
- FlatFoot
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:29pm
  I think Martin Short is quite funny when he tries to be — most of the time. His Ed Grimly character on SNL way back in the day was pretty funny — in a weird way. But he’s a weird guy — so he does weird characters.
  
  He was extremely gracious in the way he handled that. Kathie Gifford owes him one — bigtime.
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:50pm
  Reminds me of Biden , telling the paraplegic guy to stand up and take a bow…..but this ding bat isn’t a heartbeat away from the presidency…Biden is……
  
  Report this comment
- RedDawn2012
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:36am
  I just watched “Innerspace” tonight, and Short was terrific. He’s not only a funny guy, he’s a very nice guy, and he proved it by his wonderful handling of Kathie Lee’s boo-boo.
  
  Report this comment
- johndoesoetoro
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:17am
  Just like how so many Americans didn’t know that Progressive radicals hijacked the Democrat party and steered America into a fiscal ditch after taking Congress in 2007.
  
  Imagine, if you could remember and write down everything corrupt, incompetent, and evil that we’ve learned about 0bama, his administration, and the left-wing in general… What would the list look like?
  
  This is what it would look like: http://www.american-trojan-horse.blogspot.com/
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:54am
  I thought he was pretty funny on SCTV. The movies he made were medicre. Dumba$$ Gifford should do her homework.
  
  Report this comment
- jhrusky
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:57am
  He also does a great job narrating the ‘Oh, Canada’ surround-video at Disney’s Epcot center.
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:51am
  Martin Short knows the difference between pure class and pure ignorance.
  He chose not to embarrass Gifford but you can tell how uncomfortable it was
  for him when he realized the twit kept going on & on about his wife and wouldn’t shut up.
  
  Then she “tweets” the apology for the whole world to see….tacky &.classless !
  
  Have another drink, big-mouth !
  
  Report this comment
- AZindependent
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:09am
  I am just guessing, but the “prep” person for Gifford will be one of the first time unemployment applicants tomorrow.
  
  Report this comment
- Gamaliel
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:00am
  “Clifford” is one of my favorite comedies.
  
  Report this comment
- jdtanker
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:13am
  A man with class right there. The way he handled it just tells you how much he loved and still loves his wife.
  
  Report this comment
- jdtanker
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:14am
  Pure Luck was a funny movie also! And don’t forget Clifford!
  
  Report this comment
- therookieblogger
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:31pm
  I think who’s funny for you is….tadaaa…OBAMA!
  
  Report this comment
Andy Cooper
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:27pm
Honest mistake. We should all show Mrs. Gifford the same grace Mr. Short did, it is the Christian thing to do.

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- angelcat
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:53pm
  I agree. How would the MSM have handled this if a Hannity, O’Reilly, or Limbaugh made the same mistake?
  
  Report this comment
- Eleutheria
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:59pm
  Gifford is a drunk. She proves as much on the air five days a week.
  
  Report this comment
- nzkiwi
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:23am
  Excellent comment, Andy.
  
  Haven’t we all jammed our feet firmly in our mouths at one time or another?
  
  I, for one, have some memories of doing just that, and they still make me cringe when I think of them – even after thirty odd years, when I am pretty sure that I am the only one who still remembers them.
  
  Report this comment
Al J Zira
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:26pm
Just think: The View is this level of stupidity times 5!

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- Quack Addict
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:31pm
  All these talk show hosts are self absorbed and really don’t care about the person they are interviewing.
  
  Report this comment
- Bluebonnet
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:13pm
  Do your homework and do research about a guest you plan to interview before the program. I hate all
  these stupid shows anyway, so I’d have never known, except for the internet, and stupid commercials.
  
  Report this comment
NHNative
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:25pm
First of all what a classy guy not to make a big deal and embarass her on air. Second her questions most likely came from a writer not her own questions.

Third and final point she handled her mistake with class and was very humble. This woman has always been non-judgemental for the most part. Yeh, not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

I feel bad for her.

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- woebegone
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:42pm
  He was classy absolutely–but why would he be required to surrender his profound loss to their abject, insulting, and seemingly dismissive ignorance. After all Martin Short “isn’t A list anymore” why should they put any effort into researching his experience? Maybe because there is a large cohort of people that love him, more because maybe he is a human. This is inexcusable, this is not SCTV–this is a big network with lots of staff with nothing really to do but paid none the less that couldn’t be bothered to google. Truth is if this was on SCTV no one would believe it. Perhaps this is a message to you Mr. Short–TV news has become do partisan, particularly to the Left and immune to any opportunity to curiosity, that it might be time to ressurect SCTV. Would love to see you pounding away at the insanity of the Press once again, this time the Left is the crazy making party.
  
  Report this comment
ronin_6
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:21pm
Well handled.

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CloudNine
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:20pm
Exactly why I do not watch these type of shows. 99.999% of the hosts are complete idiots and are clueless. In the professional world if one did something such as this you would not only be hired, but more than likely fired once your interview was over. Outrageous and inexcusable. Who did the prep work for this interview? Fire them!

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- 13th Imam
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:43pm
  Stand Up Chuck.
  
  Oops, Sorry Chuck
  
  Report this comment
- teddrunk
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:12am
  99.9999% of the hosts can afford to be dimwits. Most of their audience are women.
  
  Report this comment
woebegone
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:17pm
Have to say this made me sort of weepy. That he was subjected to such slipshod research and behavior on the part of his hosts, and placed in a position of having to be polite as they expose their complete disregard for him was just beyond ugly. Nobody on staff can be bothered to do a google search, more important the hosts can’t be bothered?? He must have just gone home an sat on the couch for a while, I know how that feels. All good will to Martin Short, sorry for your loss.

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- Hmschlmom
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:55pm
  I really felt for him too. He dealt with that so gracefully, so as not to embarrass her. He has to have been weeping inside. What a class act…
  
  Report this comment
Santafeconservative
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:15pm
I doubt it was her fault. These questions are put together by producers (who know…the same breed of very young idiot that edited the George Zimmerman police tape). They’re either given to her in note cards or fed into her ear piece. This kind of gaffe is a result of the video game generation who have been raised to think that speed is more important than accuracy. This is the generation that is now in charge of deciding what’s news on network TV…and what/when to feed us when we’re drooling in the nursing home. Eat your spinach, people. Stay healthy.

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- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:34am
  SANTA, no matter how you slice it, it IS her fault. There is NO excuse for it whatsoever. SHE is doing the interview, it is up to HER to know the facts. Kathie is an imbecile.
  
  Report this comment
IvanK
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:15pm
Have another bloody mary Kathy…

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P8riot
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:13pm
What a class act – however that would only be expected from Ned Nederlander (Three Amigos)

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BrotherWill
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:03pm
Martin Short is an incredible man. That is some unseen character these days. Truly.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:20pm
  He definetly isn’t “Short” on class. I loved him when he was on Second City TV. Great guy.
  
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hamptonsurfer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:58pm
big dope.

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South Philly Boy
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:57pm
liberalism is a SICKNESS

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- horsehockey
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:05pm
  It is a sickness, a bad one; but, the problem is too many people buy into it for whatever the reason.
  
  Report this comment
TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:56pm
Who watches this morning tv crap? David Hartman was the last guy I remember watching; and I was 10 years old! These morning milk toast bores are unwatchable.

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- Jackie Rogers, Jr.
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:01pm
  Says the guy with a morning radio show
  
  Report this comment
- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:06pm
  Mr Short handled it with class, I give him credit. Kathie is, and always has been, an idiot. She should know these things BEFORE the interview, its her job, and she sucks at it.
  
  Report this comment
- Voice_of_One
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:07pm
  @troninthemorning
  How’s the radio show going? I don’t get it here, but heard there were some problems.
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:45pm
  I agree Tron….That and the fact that for most my life, I am at work before 630AM. I don’t get the blathering, but SNL had the best parody….Morning Latte. Very funny. That is a morning show I would watch.
  
  Report this comment
- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:00pm
  Yep, Jackie and it rocks! Oh, it’s not on tv. It’s radio. {:
  
  Report this comment
- TRONINTHEMORNING
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:01pm
  @VOICE,
  
  We will be streaming again soon; had to switch equipment after new ownership. Red tape sucks. However, it’s as fun and killer as ever, I assure you.
  
  Report this comment
lassiegirldawn
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:50pm
She never was the brightest bulb on the tree, she just proved it again.

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F_This
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:49pm
The only thing Kathie should open her mouth for is Franks member. Totally clueless.
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- Evil_Conservative
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:47am
  lmao on that one
  
  Report this comment
tugdiver
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:48pm
hippocrats are sooo smart. They always research and never jump to conclusions. that is why I could sit down with one of them and talk about acytel bromitization of DNA for hours. Oh wait aren’t they always the ones that drink their own kool-aid? Once again drawing conclusions without consideration for consequences

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salvawhoray
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:46pm
Just shows how much research they do.

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- Hobo Boondocks
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:57pm
  Just this morning I mentioned to my wife that I only watch ABC, NBC and CBS for entertainment news. Now it’s clear not even that is reliable.
  
  Report this comment
Azzman
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pm
Let me translate that tweet. I send my sincerest apologies to martinshort and his family. He was so floored by my stupidity. I am just another no nothing mainstream media alphabet soup hack.

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LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pm
…
Kathie Lee Gifford is a brain dead liberal. What did you expect from her?

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- Guerrino_P
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:59pm
  Hey Lead, no kidding. A brain dead liberal and stupid born-again Christian. Makes me want to puke.
  
  Report this comment
- John Moser
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:56pm
  She can’t possibly be as liberal as Short. He is a flat out brownshirt.
  
  Report this comment
- TomSawyer
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 2:14pm
  Actually, she is a conservative evangelical Christian. She just didn’t know his wife died.
  
  Report this comment
hatchetjob
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pm
I like Martin Short in The Three Fugitives, it was a riot. As far as Kathie Lee, it’s hard to remember everyone who has died, there are so many celebrities. An honest mistake.

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- hi
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:51pm
  I agree
  
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- RepubliCorp
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:01pm
  ditto……
  
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- ron2win
  Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:11am
  Lets see here .Your job is to interview interesting people who will interest your audience .Thats it .A simple google search on any guest bio would take all of five nano seconds .Then all you would have to remember is what they are currently doing and a few high lights of their past.Now that is simple.In stead what you received was a person with out a clue as to what her guest is doing or has done.His wife passed less then two years ago for Gods sake ! If you don’t think that must have hurt being in such a twilight zone while maintaining your composure then you are as bad as lee.Your name is a fit description of kathy lee .Next time you go to work and screw up just tell your boss its hard to remember all these things !
  
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The-Monk
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:44pm
Martin Short is long on class. Nicely done Martin, nicely done.

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- hi
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:51pm
  I agree.
  
  Report this comment
- Auntie izlam
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:52pm
  Hear! Hear! Kudos to Short.
  
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- Vickie Dhaene
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:12pm
  Very gracious of him.
  
  Report this comment
Comm Marine
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pm
wow

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Weiners Wiener
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pm
Airhead.

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Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pm
I love Martin Short

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:46pm
  Ditto!!
  
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