Tiny Spoilers Ahead
Only Murders in the Building is an absolute delight. It brilliantly blends comedy, true crime obsession, and the unique dynamic of its three lead characters: Charles, Oliver, and Mabel, residents of the Arconia who share an unexpected passion for a true crime podcast.
Season 1: The Tim Kono Murder
The first season introduces us to the quirky trio. When a fellow resident, Tim Kono, is found dead, they suspect murder and start their own podcast to investigate. The season perfectly establishes the tone—a mix of theatrical flair (thanks to Oliver), washed-up actor neuroses (Charles), and cynical mystery (Mabel). The twists are genuinely surprising, and the exploration of their personal lives makes the characters instantly endearing. The conclusion ties up nicely but immediately launches them into the next mess.
Season 2: The Bunny Folger Murder
After the shocking finale of Season 1, the trio finds themselves as the prime suspects in the murder of the Arconia's board president, Bunny Folger. This season dives deeper into the history of the Arconia and its secret passageways. The dynamic between the leads remains as sharp as ever, and the introduction of new characters adds fresh comedic material. It expands the world without losing the charm of the original premise.
Season 3: The Ben Glenroy Murder
Season 3 takes a slightly different approach by revolving around Oliver's Broadway comeback. When his lead actor, Ben Glenroy, drops dead on opening night (and then again later), the investigation shifts slightly away from the Arconia itself and more into the world of theater. The addition of Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd brings incredible star power and memorable performances. The musical element adds a fantastic new layer to the show's theatricality.
Season 4: The Sazz Pataki Murder & The Hollywood Movie
The fourth season sees the trio heading to Hollywood as a studio wants to make a movie about their podcast. However, the murder of Charles's stunt double, Sazz Pataki, brings them back to their investigative roots. This season plays heavily with the meta-concept of their own story being adapted, introducing their Hollywood counterparts (Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis, Eva Longoria) and leaning into the absurdity of the entertainment industry.
Trivia
- The Idea: The concept for the show was pitched by Steve Martin over lunch to producer Dan Fogelman (creator of This Is Us). Martin's original idea involved three older men who were true crime fans and too tired to go outside, so they only solved murders in their own building.
- The Theme Song: The distinctive, catchy theme music was composed by Siddhartha Khosla. He used unconventional items like paint buckets to create unique percussive sounds.
- Selena Gomez's Casting: Bringing in Selena Gomez as Mabel was a stroke of genius, bridging the generational gap and adding a vital dry, sarcastic counterbalance to Martin and Short's comedic stylings.
- The Arconia: The exterior shots of "The Arconia" are actually of the Belnord, a real, historic apartment building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Rating: 5/5