The best imitations and impressions often come from people who know their subjects best. That's why a 1983 sketch from the Canadian TV show SCTV featuring Martin Short is making the rounds online. In the sketch, Short impersonates his dear friend Robin Williams, and folks are remarking on just how impeccable his mimicry of the beloved comedian is.

In the sketch posted by @amyobecause on X, Short portrays Williams in a mock commercial for "Taing" (a nod to the Tang orange drink). While Short's makeup, hair, and wardrobe certainly helped, his impression capturing Williams's manic energy, rapid subject changes, expressive body language, and verbal tics really sold both the comedy and the impersonation. Short even does impressions of Williams's impressions.

The comments on the video praised Short's impressive impression:

"This impression is so good its almost not an impression at all."

"Nailing someone impersonating someone impersonating someone else is a higher form of art."

"Never saw this before. Good god that's good. At certain points he matches Robin's voice just about 100% and the rest is perfection as well."

"Did Robin Williams see this? Would love to know his reaction. I’m sure he laughed."

"Wow! I've never seen this sketch. Not only is he portraying Robin Williams but he's doing a spot-on impression of Robin Williams doing a multitude of impressions. Layers upon layers."

The original poster shared the video as a way to honor Short following the recent passing of his friend and SCTV colleague Catherine O'Hara:

"With the loss of Catherine O'Hara I figure we have to cherish the genius as we still have left and for me Martin Short is the best of the best."

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Short's imitation of Williams isn't just spot-on; it's also considered the first public impression of the stand-up and film star. That makes sense, given that Short got to know Williams and became close friends with him years before the Taing sketch aired.

In an interview with the CBC, Short recalled a moment in 1980 when Williams stayed at his Toronto home while performing alongside Short and other Second City players during the Screen Actors Guild strike. Short said Williams arrived without any luggage, despite staying for a week, which became a problem when Short's wife accidentally shrank Williams's only pair of pants while washing them as a kind gesture.

While the two friends were never in films together, Short's impression of Williams became a standout moment on SCTV, and the pair later appeared together in various television shows and live performances throughout their careers.

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Like many, Short was deeply saddened by Williams's passing in 2014. In an interview with the Hudson Union Society, Short was asked what Williams meant to him.

"What does a friend mean to someone? He was a lovely, lovely, lovely, obvious genius, obviously a beacon of light, obvious original, obviously not from this planet," Short replied with a chuckle.

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However, a new study by researchers at the Institute of Neuroscience at........

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