Original Executed Television Contract: Hand-Signed by Martin Short (1984 NBC Late Night with David Letterman Agreement — PSA/DNA Encapsulated)
This archival document represents an exceptional primary-source artifact of 1980s television history, late-night broadcasting lore, and comedic legacy: an original 1984 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) Standard Engagement Contract between the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) and comedy icon Martin Short.
Executed in New York City, the contract is boldly signed in black ink along the lower performer line by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Martin Short:
"Martin Short"
An accompanying signature by Associate Producer Lisbeth Anderson executes the agreement on behalf of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Renowned as one of the most brilliant physical comedians and character actors of his generation, Martin Short rose to international fame through SCTV before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live for its seminal 1984–1985 season. Short's electric, high-energy guest appearances on Late Night with David Letterman became legendary staples of late-night television. This contract formalizes his appearance on the broadcast dated December 3, 1984, under his loan-out company, Dolsher Productions f.s.o. Martin Short, for the scheduled broadcast from Studio 6A in Rockefeller Center.
The document is boldly stamped and inscribed across the top margin with the vintage show header: "Late Night with David Letterman / Pgm & Tal". It details standard AFTRA network television provisions, designating Short as "Principal" with compensation of $490.
The contract is permanently certified and preserved within an official archival hard-plastic case by PSA/DNA (Certification No. 85950392), officially labeled
AUTHENTIC AUTO.An outstanding, museum-grade centerpiece for comedy archivists, late-night television historians, and fine entertainment autograph collections.
Document Specifications
-
DOCUMENT TYPE: Original Standard AFTRA Engagement Contract – Network Television (Form LL-2).
-
PROGRAM & DATE: NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman; dated and taped December 3, 1984, at NBC New York.
-
PARTIES & ROLE: Executed between NBC and Dolsher Productions f.s.o. Martin Short, classifying Short as "Principal".
-
ENCAPSULATION: Preserved and sonically sealed in a tamper-evident PSA/DNA archival slab.
- CONSIGNOR NOTES: Martin Short’s appearances on Late Night with David Letterman in the early 1980s were nothing short of classic interviews. (Check them out online if you can!). And here we have the NBC contract gorgeously signed by Martin Short to appear on Letterman’s show.
This December 1984 appearance comes at a pivotal time in Short’s career – as SCTV had just finished its final year, and Short was now moving on to feature films (he appeared in “All of Me” with Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin earlier that year) – and had just joined the 1984-1985 cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
What I love most about signed contracts is that unlike today’s sloppy signatures (often rush-signed outside hotels or airports) that are sometimes barely legible, these vintage signed contracts capture nice, full signatures at the peak of the artist’s career.
Autograph Details & Provenance
-
HAND-SIGNED BY MARTIN SHORT: Authentically autographed in black ink on the
Performerline. -
PSA/DNA AUTHENTICATION: Certified authentic by PSA/DNA with registration label
CONTRACT / MARTIN SHORT / PSA/DNA CERTIFIED / AUTHENTIC AUTO / 85950392.
Original Executed Television Contract: Hand-Signed by Martin Short (1984 NBC Late Night with David Letterman Agreement — PSA/DNA Encapsulated)
This archival document represents an exceptional primary-source artifact of 1980s television history, late-night broadcasting lore, and comedic legacy: an original 1984 American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) Standard Engagement Contract between the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) and comedy icon Martin Short.
Executed in New York City, the contract is boldly signed in black ink along the lower performer line by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Martin Short:
"Martin Short"
An accompanying signature by Associate Producer Lisbeth Anderson executes the agreement on behalf of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Renowned as one of the most brilliant physical comedians and character actors of his generation, Martin Short rose to international fame through SCTV before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live for its seminal 1984–1985 season. Short's electric, high-energy guest appearances on Late Night with David Letterman became legendary staples of late-night television. This contract formalizes his appearance on the broadcast dated December 3, 1984, under his loan-out company, Dolsher Productions f.s.o. Martin Short, for the scheduled broadcast from Studio 6A in Rockefeller Center.
The document is boldly stamped and inscribed across the top margin with the vintage show header: "Late Night with David Letterman / Pgm & Tal". It details standard AFTRA network television provisions, designating Short as "Principal" with compensation of $490.
The contract is permanently certified and preserved within an official archival hard-plastic case by PSA/DNA (Certification No. 85950392), officially labeled
AUTHENTIC AUTO.An outstanding, museum-grade centerpiece for comedy archivists, late-night television historians, and fine entertainment autograph collections.
Document Specifications
-
DOCUMENT TYPE: Original Standard AFTRA Engagement Contract – Network Television (Form LL-2).
-
PROGRAM & DATE: NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman; dated and taped December 3, 1984, at NBC New York.
-
PARTIES & ROLE: Executed between NBC and Dolsher Productions f.s.o. Martin Short, classifying Short as "Principal".
-
ENCAPSULATION: Preserved and sonically sealed in a tamper-evident PSA/DNA archival slab.
- CONSIGNOR NOTES: Martin Short’s appearances on Late Night with David Letterman in the early 1980s were nothing short of classic interviews. (Check them out online if you can!). And here we have the NBC contract gorgeously signed by Martin Short to appear on Letterman’s show.
This December 1984 appearance comes at a pivotal time in Short’s career – as SCTV had just finished its final year, and Short was now moving on to feature films (he appeared in “All of Me” with Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin earlier that year) – and had just joined the 1984-1985 cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
What I love most about signed contracts is that unlike today’s sloppy signatures (often rush-signed outside hotels or airports) that are sometimes barely legible, these vintage signed contracts capture nice, full signatures at the peak of the artist’s career.
Autograph Details & Provenance
-
HAND-SIGNED BY MARTIN SHORT: Authentically autographed in black ink on the
Performerline. -
PSA/DNA AUTHENTICATION: Certified authentic by PSA/DNA with registration label
CONTRACT / MARTIN SHORT / PSA/DNA CERTIFIED / AUTHENTIC AUTO / 85950392.
