COVID Strikes Again: Steve Martin’s Comedy Tour Hit with Temporary Setback
The entertainment world got a reminder this week that COVID hasn’t quite left the building. Comedy legend Steve Martin announced he’s temporarily stepping away from his current tour after testing positive for the virus — though in classic Martin style, he couldn’t resist finding the humor in an otherwise frustrating situation.
Breaking the news on Instagram Tuesday, Martin shared a perfectly on-brand photo: a dejected-looking pup wearing Mickey Mouse ears. “Dear Virginia Beach and Richmond. Sadly, I have come down with Covid,” the comedian wrote, before adding a characteristically thoughtful note about not being able to deliver “the shows that you deserve.”
The timing feels particularly cruel. Martin and his longtime partner-in-comedy Martin Short have been absolutely killing it on their “Dukes of Funnytown” tour, which kicked off back in ’86 with “Three Amigos!” and has been going strong ever since. The cancelled shows — at Virginia Beach’s The Dome and Richmond’s Allianz Amphitheater — were meant to be highlights of their early spring run.
And speaking of timing… this isn’t the duo’s first COVID-related dance this year. Short caught the bug earlier in 2024, supposedly after that wild SNL 50th Anniversary Special (remember that Maya Rudolph moment?). Martin dubbed it “The SNL 50th COVID curse” at the time — though he later walked that back when rumors started swirling about Rudolph being patient zero.
The comedy community hasn’t missed a beat in rallying around Martin. His “It’s Complicated” co-star Rita Wilson sent well wishes, while Josh Gad and Brad Garrett joined the chorus of support. Not surprising, given Martin’s recent renaissance with “Only Murders in the Building” — those Emmy nods weren’t just handed out for nothing.
For folks holding tickets to the Virginia shows, refunds are available. Small consolation, sure, but the tour’s scheduled to pick back up at Hollywood’s Seminole Hard Rock on October 4th. That should give Martin plenty of time to recover and get back to what he does best.
Here’s the thing about COVID in 2025 — just when you think it’s finally taking a backseat, it pops up to remind everyone it’s still hanging around. The entertainment industry’s been doing this dance for years now, trying to balance that old “show must go on” spirit with keeping everyone healthy and safe.
Those Virginia shows will join February’s rescheduled Durham and Knoxville dates (now set for October 17 and 18) in the “better luck next time” category. But hey — at least Martin’s keeping his sense of humor about the whole thing. His follow-up post showing his COVID test results came with the classic quip: “Hey! No flu!”
That’s probably why Martin remains one of Hollywood’s most endearing figures. Even when dealing with less-than-stellar circumstances, he manages to keep that signature wit sharp while showing genuine concern for his audience. Not a bad trick for a guy who’s been making us laugh since some of us were in diapers.