KAREEM OF THE CROP
Swants to join the Friars Club — and he already has a sponsor. Martin and his pal who is already a Friar, spent last week in the club’s Midtown townhouse working on new material for their show “An Evening You’ll Forget for the Rest of Your Life.” Surrounded by photos of Friars including Jerry Lewis, Robin Williams and Martin asked how he could join the club.
“Steve Martin had a great time and said he’s not a member and he really wants to be,” according to one clubber.
“The Jerk” star was told he had to be nominated by a member, seconded by another, then approved by the board. That’s when Short said he would gladly vouch for his friend and writing partner. We’re also told that who was one of the original writers on “Saturday Night Live,” has been in touch with the Friars Club about seconding Martin’s nomination. The pair worked together on Martin’s 1981 NBC special “Steve Martin’s Best Show Ever.” We’re told that Martin is a shoo-in and his induction would likely come sooner than later.
Martin is quite familiar with the Friars Club headquarters all of a sudden. Along with Short and four other writers, the 72-year-old living legend reserved the Ed Sullivan Room on the second floor of the 55th St. club last week and — behind closed doors — cranked out jokes that will be used when their show hits the Beacon Theatre on May 4.
The Friars Club is already reaping the benefits of having Martin around. When he and Short weren’t writing, they hung out in the club’s dining room mingling with guests and having a ball, we’re told. Though it seemed Short was new to the venue’s lunchtime scene. He asked one of the managers if it would be a problem that he didn’t have a sportscoat, which is required for evening dining. He was assured that it wouldn’t be. Kansas City Chiefs rookie sensation slowed down for the opening of The Ainsworth Kansas City — a new offshoot of the Lower Manhattan Ainsworth sports lounges. The star running back was spotted “chowing down” on a mac & cheese burger on Wednesday night. No doubt he was hungry from being the NFL’s leading rusher in 2017. The Ainsworth plans to expand into Nashville and Philadelphia in 2018. It recently opened a spot in Newark, too.