In this edition, King's guest is puckish Canadian comedian Martin Short, who discusses the following topics, among others: his recollections about the imaginary variety show he performed in his basement when he was fourteen; his comic influences; a clip from his HBO special, "I, Martin Short Goes Hollywood" which features his nebbish character, Lawrence, attempting to get signed by a Hollywood agent; how his family instilled a sense of joy and confidence in him, which informs his comedy and helps him adjust to personal loss; his one attempt at stand-up comedy, which resulted in his being doused with beer; the Toronto entertainment scene where his career started with a stint in the musical "Godspell"; a clip of Short as the nerdy eccentric Ed Grimley attempting to dry his hands in a restroom; the genesis of the Grimley character; the basis for his dishonest attorney character, Nate Thurm; a clip of a bumbling Short from the the film, "Three Fugitives"; and comments on his aged popular composer creation, Irving Cohen.