Painfully Awkward: Totally Unaware That She Died Two Years Ago, ‘Today Show’ Host Asks Martin Short How His Wife Is Doing
- Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:36pm by
Becket Adams
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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 7:38pmI’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.
Report Post »jtgun
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:33pm“Captain Ron” was funny , “Three Amigos” was funny , and “Three Fugitives” was adorable .
Report Post »hapvalpsu
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:41pmInnerspace!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:15pmA graceful gentleman.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:11pmMartin Short is VERY talented –actually.
…and he sings.
> He really, really, really can sing.
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:29pmI 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 Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:50pmReminds 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 Post »RedDawn2012
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:36amI 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 Post »johndoesoetoro
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:17amJust 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 Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:54amI thought he was pretty funny on SCTV. The movies he made were medicre. Dumba$$ Gifford should do her homework.
Report Post »jhrusky
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:57amHe also does a great job narrating the ‘Oh, Canada’ surround-video at Disney’s Epcot center.
Report Post »ambrosia
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:51amMartin 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 Post »AZindependent
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:09amI am just guessing, but the “prep” person for Gifford will be one of the first time unemployment applicants tomorrow.
Report Post »Gamaliel
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:00am“Clifford” is one of my favorite comedies.
Report Post »jdtanker
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:13amA man with class right there. The way he handled it just tells you how much he loved and still loves his wife.
Report Post »jdtanker
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:14amPure Luck was a funny movie also! And don’t forget Clifford!
Report Post »therookieblogger
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:31pmI think who’s funny for you is….tadaaa…OBAMA!
Report Post »Andy Cooper
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:27pmHonest mistake. We should all show Mrs. Gifford the same grace Mr. Short did, it is the Christian thing to do.
Report Post »angelcat
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:53pmI agree. How would the MSM have handled this if a Hannity, O’Reilly, or Limbaugh made the same mistake?
Report Post »Eleutheria
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:59pmGifford is a drunk. She proves as much on the air five days a week.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:23amExcellent 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 Post »Al J Zira
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:26pmJust think: The View is this level of stupidity times 5!
Report Post »Quack Addict
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:31pmAll these talk show hosts are self absorbed and really don’t care about the person they are interviewing.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:13pmDo your homework and do research about a guest you plan to interview before the program. I hate all
Report Post »these stupid shows anyway, so I’d have never known, except for the internet, and stupid commercials.
NHNative
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:25pmFirst 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.
Report Post »woebegone
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:42pmHe 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 Post »ronin_6
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:21pmWell handled.
Report Post »CloudNine
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:20pmExactly 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!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:43pmStand Up Chuck.
Oops, Sorry Chuck
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:12am99.9999% of the hosts can afford to be dimwits. Most of their audience are women.
Report Post »woebegone
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:17pmHave 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.
Report Post »Hmschlmom
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:55pmI 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 Post »Santafeconservative
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:15pmI 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.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:34amSANTA, 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 Post »IvanK
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:15pmHave another bloody mary Kathy…
Report Post »P8riot
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:13pmWhat a class act – however that would only be expected from Ned Nederlander (Three Amigos)
Report Post »BrotherWill
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:03pmMartin Short is an incredible man. That is some unseen character these days. Truly.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:20pmHe definetly isn’t “Short” on class. I loved him when he was on Second City TV. Great guy.
Report Post »hamptonsurfer
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:58pmbig dope.
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:57pmliberalism is a SICKNESS
Report Post »horsehockey
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:05pmIt is a sickness, a bad one; but, the problem is too many people buy into it for whatever the reason.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:56pmWho 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.
Report Post »Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:01pmSays the guy with a morning radio show
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:06pmMr 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 Post »Voice_of_One
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:07pm@troninthemorning
Report Post »How’s the radio show going? I don’t get it here, but heard there were some problems.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:45pmI 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 Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 10:00pmYep, Jackie and it rocks! Oh, it’s not on tv. It’s radio. {:
Report Post »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 Post »lassiegirldawn
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:50pmShe never was the brightest bulb on the tree, she just proved it again.
Report Post »F_This
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:49pmThe only thing Kathie should open her mouth for is Franks member. Totally clueless.
Evil_Conservative
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:47amlmao on that one
Report Post »tugdiver
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:48pmhippocrats 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
Report Post »salvawhoray
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:46pmJust shows how much research they do.
Report Post »Hobo Boondocks
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:57pmJust 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 Post »Azzman
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pmLet 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.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pm…
Report Post »Kathie Lee Gifford is a brain dead liberal. What did you expect from her?
Guerrino_P
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:59pmHey Lead, no kidding. A brain dead liberal and stupid born-again Christian. Makes me want to puke.
Report Post »John Moser
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:56pmShe can’t possibly be as liberal as Short. He is a flat out brownshirt.
Report Post »TomSawyer
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 2:14pmActually, she is a conservative evangelical Christian. She just didn’t know his wife died.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:45pmI 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.
Report Post »hi
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:51pmI agree
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:01pmditto……
Report Post »ron2win
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:11amLets 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 !
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:44pmMartin Short is long on class. Nicely done Martin, nicely done.
Report Post »hi
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:51pmI agree.
Report Post »Auntie izlam
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:52pmHear! Hear! Kudos to Short.
Report Post »Vickie Dhaene
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:12pmVery gracious of him.
Report Post »Comm Marine
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pmwow
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pmAirhead.
Report Post »Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:41pmI love Martin Short
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:46pmDitto!!
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