Chance the Rapper shares how 'kind' Martin Short gave up his seat on a flight to his daughter
He didn’t know who Chance was. He was just being nice.
A dapper Martin Short photographed in 2021
“The Voice” judge Chance the Rapper had a touching moment on a flight on Sunday, February 26, when a kind man gave up his seat so he could sit next to his 7-year-old daughter Kensli. The unexpected thing was that the man who gave up his seat was none other than comedy legend and star of “Only Murders in the Building,” Martin Short.
Chance shared his story on Twitter, where it received nearly 300,000 likes.
“So I just got on this plane with my daughter, and found out our seats weren’t next to each other. I really ain’t wanna inconvenience anyone by asking them to swap seats, but before I could say anything this kind older gentleman offered his seat to Kensli so we could sit together,” Chance wrote.
“We both said thank you and as he stands up, I realize it’s THE Martin Short!! So cool and Kensli freaked out cause she’s obsessed with The Santa Clause 3. What an awesome person! SHOUTOUT TO JACK FROST,” Chance continued.
\u201cSo I just got on this plane with my daughter, and found out our seats weren\u2019t next to each other. I really ain\u2019t wanna inconvenience anyone by asking them to swap seats, but before I could say anything this kind older gentleman offered his seat to Kensli so we could sit together.\u2026\u201d— Chance The Rapper (@Chance The Rapper) 1677450728
The fact that a 7-year-old is familiar with Martin Short’s work is a tribute to his incredible longevity and how he’s played roles that are memorable for people of every generation.
Chance doesn’t think it was a favor between celebrities because he doesn’t think Short knows who he is.
\u201cDefinitely not, which made it way cooler. He just a nice dude ig\u201d— Chance The Rapper (@Chance The Rapper) 1677451298
The “All We Got” rapper also joked that his daughter was really just trying to get her screenplay, a “¡Three Amigos!” sequel, called “The Four Amigos,” in front of Short. Strangely, according to director John Landis, there has never been serious talk of a “¡Three Amigos!” sequel because the first one wasn’t a big hit at the box office.
\u201c\u201cOh thanks so much but the little girl will be fine where she is\u2026 *opens laptop* ANYWAYS this a lil script I\u2019ve been working on it\u2019s called \u2018Four Amigos!\u2019\u201d\u201d— Chance The Rapper (@Chance The Rapper) 1677453557
Writer Alan Zweibel (“Saturday Night Live," “It’s Garry Shandling's Show”) wasn’t surprised at his friend Martin Short’s generosity.
Typical Marty. One of the kindest, caring people I've ever known.
— Alan Zweibel (@AlanZweibel) February 27, 2023
Others thought that Short was just acting like a Canadian.
That's because he's Canadian. 🇨🇦
— Scott Piatkowski (@ScottPiatkowski) February 27, 2023
Would you be surprised to hear that he’s Canadian? pic.twitter.com/BWCyc8QS0d
— Elliotte Friedegg 🥚 (@FridgeHN1C) February 26, 2023
On a deeper level, some criticized the airline for the situation happening in the first place. These days, airlines are nickel-and-diming people for everything, from checking luggage to early boarding to selecting a seat. Seat selection fees make it more difficult and expensive for families to sit together.
Seat selection on some flights can cost as much as $50.
Why do airlines make you pay extra to sit next to friends and family? Imagine if resturants did this 😂
— VividCross (@TheVividCross) February 27, 2023
People are so annoyed with these excessive tacked-on fees that the Biden Administration is urging Congress to pass the "Junk Fee Prevention Act,” which would make it free for families to sit with their young children on airplanes.
"We'll make cable internet and cellphone companies stop charging you up to $200 or more when you decide to switch to another provider," Biden said in the State of the Union Address. "And we'll prohibit airlines from charging up to $50 roundtrip for families just to sit together."
Although airlines run on slim margins, that’ll probably just force them to raise the price of airfare for everyone.
Ultimately, it’s nice to know that Martin Short, whose public persona is so affable, is the same when he thinks that the public isn’t watching.