On Feb. 12, NBC announced they are giving the greenlight for a new variety show co-hosted by former Satruday Night Live stars Maya Rudolph and Martin Short.
In May of 2014, Rudolph hosted The Maya Rudolph Show, which was a one time deal and a sort of trial run for the upcoming series. The series is expected to premiere sometime in late May. As a variety show, the series will feature celebrity guests, musical numbers, and comedy sketches. Considering the close association with SNL, we can probably expect to see a lot of collaboration between the two shows.
Variety reports Maya and Marty in Mangattan, the tentative title of the variety show, was the topic of conversation at the American Songbook tribute to Lorne Michaels at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on Thursday. Current and former Saturday Night Live stars were in attendance to recognize Michaels and his success in promoting musical acts on SNL. While Rudolph and Short both performed as part of the tribute, they did not perform together.
Maya and Marty in Manhattan receives the greenlight after NBC cancelled its prior variety show, Best Time Ever, with Neil Patrick Harris. Apparently it was not the best time ever.
While an episode order has yet to be set, Lorne Michaels (Saturday Night Live) will executive produce the series. Rudolph, Short, and Matt Roberts from Late Show with David Letterman will produce.
In case you are wondering what to expect from a talented duo such as Rudolph and Short, here is their performance together from the SNL 40th Anniversary Special.