The Shortlist for May 31

In case you missed the memo, Kathie Lee Gifford taught the world a valuable lesson in on-air journalism this week: Determine whether your guest's spouse is alive before getting nosy about the secret to their happiness. On Wednesday's "Today" show, Gifford prodded Short, who was on the show to promote his new film "Madagascar 3," about his long-lasting love with wife, Nancy -- who died of ovarian cancer two years ago. "'You and Nancy have one of the greatest marriages of anybody in show business," she said. "How many years now for you guys?' Ever the gentleman, Short offered a stunned, stuttered, "36 years." "But you are still like, in love?" she continued. Staying calm, he said yes, "madly in love." "Why?," she asked. "I'm cute," he managed to spit out. Finally, the segment ended and Short told Gifford he was a widower. "I send my sincerest apologies to @MartinShort and his family,' she wrote. 'He handled situation w/enormous grace and kindness and I'm so grateful," she later tweeted. And you thought you were having a bad day at work ... (ET)