My wife and I just finished watching season five of Only Murders in the Building. It was our second favorite season of the series.
I have no idea how they came up with an idea to create a show about two seventy something year old guys hanging out with a millennial but my god am I happy they did. Steve Martin and martin Short have sensational chemistry. I have seen them perform together many times, and they always kill. Their styles really compliment each other well so it is no surprise that a show starring them would be incredibly entertaining. But what is surprising is that adding a 29 year old Selena Gomez, who is actually not a very good actress, to the mix works so incredibly well. There is actually something about her emotionless delivery that adds to the fun of the show. Short and martin are two wild and crazy 70 year olds who are buoyed in place by the straight man (or in this case straight woman). It was a weird idea that worked.
For those of you who have not seen the show, it takes place in a fancy New York building called The Arconia. Steve Martin plays a has been actor who made a ton of money playing a police detective on TV. If you ever wondered what the leads on Law and Order would be like after finally getting canceled, look no further, they are Martin's Charles Hayden Savage. martin Short plays, Oliver Putnam, a Broadway Producer who made his name and money off of one hit and many, many, many failures. They live in the building and start out as friends who seem to be very annoyed with each other. That is until Gomez's Mabel Mora brings them all together to listen to a true crime podcast. Eventually they get involved in their own mystery and hi-jinx ensues.
The first season was unexpected and fun. The second season was also very amusing. The third season was not very good. the fourth season got the gang back on track. But this fifth season was so good I actually found myself wanting the series to end so it could end on a high note. By the fifth murder in the building, the writers had two choices, just pretend like multiple murders in a building is totally normal... or lean into the joke and poke fun at how ridiculous and absurd the premise is. This season they decided to embrace the absurdity and have a ton of fun.
The show has become a haven for unexpected and amazing cameos and guest starring roles. I mean the greatest actress of all time, Meryl Streep, even has a recurring role. And it seems many actors are falling all over themselves to get a spot on the show. The only explanation for this is that they must have an incredibly good time making the show. I can only imagine how much they laugh on set. This season featured some of the best guest stars yet. In addition to Streep, this season also featured Paul Rudd, Richard Kind, Dianne Weist, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Walz, Rene Zelleweger, Keegan Michael Key, Tea Leoni and Logman Lerman. And every single one of them absolutely kills in their role (no pun intended). But Christopher Walz is on a whole other level. Hearing his voice deliver comedic lines was one of the funniest things I have ever heard.
This season's mystery was also quite fun. They write it like a good old fashioned fair play mystery meaning that if you pay attention you can figure out who dunnit. Obviously I won't spoil it but rest assured the mystery had fun twists and turns and a very satisfying ending. If you haven't watched this show, I highly recommend you check it out.
First of all, thank you for the information about the series. Perhaps, as you say, it's a somewhat strange mix between two veteran actors and one who isn't exactly a household name, but that made it more viable and exciting to watch. Seeing the number of good actors involved in the series makes me think there's something good there, so it's worth watching. From the details you've shared, we'll have a lot of fun, so without further ado, let's enjoy it with the family.
One thing I'll highlight here is the show's embrace of its own absurdity and upping the comedy game. I think that's what made Season 5 stand out.
Yooo! only murder in the building is definitely dope, anything murder mystery, sign me up, the weirdest trio ever somehow became the perfect trio, i stopped at episode 7 season 5, i believe this is my sign to pick up where i left off
If the Arconia was real, the rent should be free at this point. You survive one season, you get a discount. You survive five? You own the place. I love how they tell the stories of the characters that died and the build up to the reveal is always suspenseful until of course the next murder. Its a real good show, is stopped at seaon 4 where Charles' stunt double was murdered if im not mistaken.