Martin Short recently opened up about being “nervous” about working with Meryl Streep on the set of ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Speaking at a For Your Consideration event captured by The Hollywood Reporter on Friday, March 1, the veteran actor, 73, expressed his excitement about working alongside Streep, 74, describing it as “one of the great thrills of my life”
He shared, “In fact, the first day of shooting – which was rare because I’m not brand new – I was driving to work and I thought, ‘I’m nervous today. I’m working with Meryl Streep.’”
Martin Short calls working with Meryl Streep on #OnlyMurders “one of the great thrills of my life” pic.twitter.com/hrNQHHQfoY
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 2, 2024
Meryl Streep contacted Martin Short to secure her place on the show
Streep, who joined the show in its third season, revealed her eagerness for Only Murders in the Building even before becoming a part of the cast. A fan of the show, she reached out to Steve Martin directly to express her interest in joining the team.
“I actually did call them up and ask. Doesn’t everyone want to be on this show? Clearly they do because next season, they all are,” she said, referencing upcoming actors Eugene Levy, Molly Shannon and Eva Longoria for season 4. “They have to erect barriers to keep these actors out. I was a huge fan of the show, but I also just wanted to have some fun because the world is pretty sh–ty right now.”
Selena Gomez, another member of the cast, expressed her excitement at learning that Streep was a fan of the show before joining. “Can you believe that Meryl Streep wanted to be on this show?” she asked. “I could die.”
Selena Gomez with Steve Martin, Martin Short, Jane Lynch and Meryl Streep at the Only Murders in the Building FYC event. pic.twitter.com/lJ7C8DYAf0
— Selena Gomez News (@OfficialSGnews) March 2, 2024
Streep and Short are ‘not a couple’
At the 2024 Golden Globes in January, Meryl Streep and Martin Short found themselves seated together at the same table, sparking rumours of a potential romance due to their onscreen chemistry and closeness at the event. However, Short quickly denied any speculation during an appearance on the Club Random with Bill Maher podcast.
“We’re not a couple,” Short clarified in the episode published Sunday. “We are just very close friends.” Despite Short’s clear denial, co-star Maher couldn’t resist imagining the pair as a power couple in Hollywood.
Meryl Streep and Martin Short at 2024 Golden Globes 🔥 https://t.co/5PncfdPSv2
— Alex (@Sullexus) January 8, 2024
“Well, you should,” he remarked. “Because there’s nothing more powerful in Hollywood than a power couple. It worked for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, it worked for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Everybody, they’re like an electron and a proton. They circle each other until—I’m not quite up on the chemistry.”
Ironically, all the mentioned Hollywood couples ultimately ended up in controversial divorces. “They have to find each other, and they just have to find each other, and they do,” Maher continued. “Look at Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner now.” Short jokingly interjected, “I know you don’t think so, but they’re gonna last. Because if they break up, I gotta look in the mirror in the morning and say what do I believe in.”