‘Match Game’ Fans Give Verdict on Martin Short as New Host

Brittany Sims
43 Comments
Martin Short in Match Game
Disney/Jan Thijs

Martin Short delivered the jokes, falls, and digs on the season premiere of Match Game on Wednesday, July 23. It was his first episode as the host of the game show, as Alex Baldwin served as host from 2016 to 2021 before it was canceled. Fans gave their verdict on whether Short did a good job or not. Plus, there was another aspect of the game that annoyed them.

Short started off the game by trying to press the button on the board for the envelopes, but it wouldn’t go down. During the second go-around, he fell and slinked to the floor, making the contestants and celebrity panelists laugh. The Only Murders in the Building star also joked that he used Kris Jenner‘s plastic surgeon and called the game a disaster when the celebrities took forever to submit their answers.

Did fans like his antics, or did they want Alex Baldwin back? Here’s what they said.

“I was laughing so hard at Martin trying to get that button to work the entire show! 🤣🤣🤣🤣,” one X user wrote.

“I’m so glad Match Game is back! Martin Short was the perfect choice!” tweeted another.

“I Always LOVE Martin Short Antics and Physical Humor!” a third said. 

“I loved Martin Short. He’s legitimately funny,” a fan tweeted.

“I keep waiting to see one of my fave’s Ed Grimley host the show. Love seeing Martin Short host one of my favorite game shows 🙂 @matchgameabc,” said another. 

However, some fans were not too keen on Short’s antics and wanted Alec Baldwin to return. The end of the last season of Match Game came in the midst of Baldwin’s accidental fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust in October 2021. However, the cancellation of the show wasn’t due to that incident. It hasn’t been in production since 2020, due to Covid-19. The 2021 episodes were filmed during that time as well.

Baldwin went to trial for the shooting and he was charged with involuntary manslaughter. The charges were dismissed in July 2024 when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer agreed with his defense team that prosecutors in the case improperly handled evidence and dismissed the charges against him and thus, the judge had to grant their motion for mistrial, but the network didn’t bring him back.

“Watching #MatchGame & I really miss & am disappointed that @AlecBaldwin is not the host anymore. I know it’s probably cause of the trial & what happened but can’t we get past that? He was the best host & I don’t know if I can still enjoy the show without him or not. Love you Alec,” one wrote.

“I kinda miss Alec Baldwin and his Cool Wit, but Martin Short is Hilarious to Watch ! I Love when he Dances and his Physical Humor is unmatched. #MatchGame #MatchGameABC,” a torn fan said. 

“Bring Back Alec Balwin please!” another tweeted.

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Aside from the hosts, many fans thought the writing was “terrible” and didn’t like the questions. Others didn’t like how when the celebrities couldn’t think of answers, they helped each other, which took up more time.

“FIRE THE QUESTION WRITERS IMMEDIATELY!! ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE!! Marty should be a good host, though…” an X user said.

“Who’s writing the questions? They make no sense. The beauty of the original show was the simplicity and fun of it all. Fire your writers,” another reiterated.

“This was a terrible season premiere. Half of the questions didn’t even make sense. Also not a fan of all the celebrities helping each other. Never saw that on the original in the 70’s,” a third tweeted.

“These questions were horrible. Fire your writers,” one last fan said.

What did you think of the game show? Was Martin Short a good pick for a new host? Let us know in the comments.

Match Game, Wednesdays, 9/8c, ABC (streams next day on Hulu)

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  1. O

    OliveHelmet

    I was so excited to see this show come back but wound up being very disappointed in it. I like Martin Short in some things but am not a fan of him as this host at all. Alec Baldwin was the best. He had the natural wit and energy that brought a lot of laughter and excitement to the show. The celebrity guests fed off of that also. The new premier was boring (in my opinion). Bring Alec back!. Questions were horrible too. So much better and funnier in previous seasons.

    28 4

  2. O

    OrangeTag

    Just doesn't work. Need to bring Alec Baldwin back, Martin Short just doesn't get it. I love him in Only Murders, but not at all on the Match Game. He's trying too hard, lacks the smirking know it all attitude Alec has. Not going to watch it, the first episode was too sad....

    22 2

  3. G

    GoldGlasses

    Boring. Short really isn't a great host, no spark, felt like it was being phoned in. Worst part was the questions. They were awful. Long and way too open ended.

    18 1

  4. P

    PurpleScooter

    Please bring back Alec Baldwin. He is a natural, and made me laugh throughout the show. The premier with Martin was not exciting at all. I love the show, but would rather watch re-runs of Alec hosting.

    15 2

  5. P

    PurpleAnchor

    AI would be a better choice for writing the questions than whoever they used.

    9

  6. O

    OrangeTag

    I found it boring and not funny at all. Alec Baldwin made the show hilarious and Martin Short falls way short of this. Bring back Alec Baldwin as I no longer will watch it.

    9 1

  7. G

    GoldMustache

    My first thought was to blame the players and the celebrities for not understanding the game, but like those commenters said, it was more that the prompts weren't written to lead to any particular response. There wasn't the usual "operative word" that would lead anyone to "the definitive answer" as was the norm for the classic versions.

    I expected to hate Martin has host, as he usually doesn't know when to shut up and give someone else their comedic space. But he handled himself quite well.

    11 3

  8. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Just horrible. Martin Short not at all funny. Boring panelists & ridiculous questions. The Gene Rayburn version was the best.

    9 2

  9. P

    PurpleBattery

    The new season with Short is unwatchable.....he is over the top silly.....trying to make the show about him and not the panel and contestants. The questions were the worst I have ever seen on the show. The panel guests are D-List not even the B-list type talent the show drew. Gene Rayburn is spinning right now. Get Alec back in there.

    6

  10. G

    GreenCupcake

    Sadly, i am very disappointed in both the host, and the questions. It is almost like it is a show meant to be aired at 3am. On one network, it aired at 7pm, and the "discussion" is way too inappropriate for that time slot.

    6

  11. C

    CyanPin

    It was funnier with Alec Baldwin as the host. Loved all the quick wit her brought to the show. The questions were better then than now. The stars seem kind of bored. Never thought Martin Short was funny. Please bring Alec Baldwin back!!

    6

  12. P

    PurpleChilli

    Horrible, horrible questions and awful celebrities who appeared oblivious to the point of Match Game.

    4

  13. G

    GreenSushi

    When i learned that none of the writers have ever seen the old "funny" shows I understood why it was sooooo bad.

    4

  14. P

    Patrick Gillease

    Sorry, but Martin Short as the new “Match Game” host is a total failure. He’s embarrassing to watch with his slapstick humor, which is out of place here. Please bring back Alec Baldwin. His accident on the set of “Rust” was just that: an accident. His career and life shouldn’t be ruined because of it. SNL & NBC have had him back, and the world did not end. Get with the program ABC! Alec was the best host for “Match Game,” with his more nuanced approach as host and his better connection to the star panelists and the contestants. Thanks for trying, Marty, but this just isn’t for you! This is Alec’s show!

    3

  15. G

    GoldScooter

    Terrible and unwatchable

    3

  16. G

    GreenApple

    Martin Short was Not Good, bring back Alec Baldwin....much better Host!!!

    3

  17. B

    BlueSnow

    It was awful - I thought it was boring

    3

  18. C

    CyanLamp

    Bring back Alec PLEASE

    3

  19. G

    GoldTeepee

    Watched a little bit of the first episode and am very unhappy. Do not like Martin Short as the host. Don’t plan on watching anymore of it. Need Alec Baldwin back!!!! The sooner the better

    2

  20. G

    GreenWrench

    Don’t like Martin Short as host at all. He’s not at all funny & sometimes pretty gross!!

    2

  21. P

    PurpleChilli

    MS is funny & not a bad host but I do prefer Alec; however, the questions are the WORST!

    2

  22. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    I think the problem with this show is the questions. I enjoy Martin and the guest stars, but the questions SUCK!!

    2

  23. G

    GreenWrench

    Want Alec Baldwin back.

    2

  24. R

    RedSeahorse

    I love match game. I didn't like Alec Baldwin as host. He isn't relatable. Go back to what worked for the original was a play on words. Encouraging celebrities (and the host) to comment with dirty words was just tacky and certainly not funny. Game shows should be fun and funny. Find talent that can write funny dialog and comedians who can also be funny. Watch the original Match Game to get some ideas.

    1

  25. C

    CyanPopcorn

    Martin short physical comedian not host. Baldwin was best. Questions are terrible (not funny)

    1

  26. P

    PurpleHammer

    Short fell short ! Definitely not host material. He moves jerkily and has no connection to the guests or stars . Plus questions suck they make no sense of logic to the humor this show was known for

    1

  27. O

    OliveSailboat

    the show is really bad. Just dumb not funny. Questions make no sense. Celebrities act clueless.

    1

  28. R

    RedGoggles

    Martin Short bombed on the show. Insulting the guest stars and the contestants is not funny. Get rid of Martin. Bring back class with Alec Baldwin.

    1

  29. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    I liked Alec Baldwin better. I watched the new show with Martin Short a couple times, but found it boring so I quit watching until Alec Baldwin is back

    1

  30. L

    ladychef

    This new version with Martin Short is just horrible. He is so unfunny, the "stars" who aren't stars are not funny at all and appear to be pretty stupid. The contestants seem to come up with logical answers and none of the stars do just for dumb attention. I hate this show now. I watched it once. That was enough.

    1

  31. O

    OliveBeer

    To much sexual content so I will NOT be watching it again. It wasn’t funny at all. Martin Short just doesn’t have it either.

    1

  32. G

    GoldFlame

    Who is "Alex" Baldwin? Fire your editors or get better AI

    1

  33. D

    Dianne

    Bring Alec back!!

  34. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    I am not to thrilled with Martin Short...Alec Baldwin was the best...I stopped watching..they need to bring Alec back.

  35. B

    BlueProcessor

    I did like Martin Short much better than Alex because Alex had a filthy mouth. I agree with others about the questions most didn't make any sense, Bring the show back with Martin Short.

  36. G

    GoldTeepee

    70s version was the best , new shows are not funny at all.

  37. G

    GreenBee

    Alec's quick wit was a perfect match for the Game show.... Martin SHort is funny in his own right, but not the best as host of this show. Please Bring Alec Back he was perfect and the show is just not as fun with Martin .

  38. G

    GreenRocket

    Three gaffes on the latest show by Martin. Sorry, but he needs to go.

  39. O

    OliveClover

    bring back Alex Baldwin. Martin Short is horrible. He makes fun of the stars and not in a good way.

  40. O

    OliveSword

    Martin makes too many mistakes, questions are stupid, panelists shouldn’t be helping each other

  41. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Tonights episode had a inapropriate sexist question regarding Caroline Ray as to why she has been on all episopes on the new reboot? Contestant said because she was screwing the producers. I hoped we were past this 1960's mens club mentality of abusing women by implying only way to succeed in business is sex with your boss. I will not watch this show. Shame on the writers, producers and anyone associated with this show.

  42. N

    Notinamerica

    I didn't mind Martin as the host but the celebrities, come on you're supposed to be helping people win not show how funny you are. Selena was spot on was very surprised by her. I do miss Alec I wish they would have brought him back but I think Marty will do a fine job.

    2 2

  43. C

    CyanGuitar

    I LOVE Martin Short as the new host. He's adorable! Alec Baldwin was sooo boring and unfunny.(not to mention so full of himself) I will say however, that the questions were definitely weird & seemingly difficult for the stars to answer. They should just recycle the questions from Gene Rayburn's reign! Now THAT was a funny game show!!!

    1