Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast
Episode: S1 E1 — “True Crime”
Release Date: September 1, 2021
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard)
Special Guest: John Hoffman (Co-Creator, Writer, Showrunner)

Episode Overview

The first official podcast episode dives deeply behind the scenes of the pilot for Only Murders in the Building. Host Michael Cyril Creighton introduces the show-within-a-show concept—fans making a podcast about a show where the protagonists themselves make a podcast. The central guest is John Hoffman, co-creator, writer, and showrunner, who shares how the series was born, the challenges of balancing comedy and mystery, casting insights, and the thematic heart of the show. The hosts and Hoffman unpack major creative choices, highlight unique on-set stories, and tease layered mysteries to come.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of the Show

• Steve Martin’s Original Concept (04:23):
  Steve Martin conceived the idea years prior, initially envisioning three older New York actors. The podcast element was John Hoffman’s addition, inspired by the “comeback” motivations of the central characters and the modern renaissance of true crime podcasts.

  • Quote (John Hoffman, 05:00):
    “A podcast could fulfill some bit of [that comeback] as well as their own true crime instincts and interests.”
    [05:00]

• Constant Evolution:
  When Martin Short joked with Steve Martin about being "old actors," it helped solidify the show’s comedic and generational bent.

  • Quote (John Hoffman, 04:53):
    “Martin Short said... ‘you know, we’re old actors.’”
    [04:53]

2. Bringing True Crime and Generational Appeal

• The Role of Young Women and True Crime (05:28–07:22):
  Hoffman was inspired by his friend Alexis Forte's fascination with true crime—mirrored in Mabel’s character—spotlighting how young women’s perspectives shape both the show and the genre.
  • Quote (John Hoffman, 05:48):
    "There’s something about women, particularly young women, who are so caught up in true crime... very different walking through the city and... the feelings of self-protection and resourcefulness you might need.”
    [05:48]
  • Memorable Discussion:
    The hosts and Hoffman joke about Mabel's knitting needle as a means of self-protection and how true crime fans learn from others' misfortunes.

3. Casting the Trio

• Landing Selena Gomez (09:01–12:20):
  Hoffman shares a personal connection to Selena (both Disney alums). The “classic meets modern” theme underpins casting decisions, making Gomez a bold, generationally distinct choice opposite comedy legends Martin and Short.
  • Quote (John Hoffman, 09:40):
    “She’s a very shrewd, lovely human being... she was also a true crime fanatic, which I did not know. She and her mother, I guess, had gone to crime con.”
    [09:40–11:03]
  • Behind-the-Scenes:
    The anxiety about whether the trio’s chemistry would work melted away after a table read. Steve Martin's playful quip on-screen chemistry:
    • Quote (Steve Martin, via John Hoffman, 12:03):
      “The camera [loves] her. And he said... the camera is just fine with Marty.”
      [12:03]

4. Tone, Setting, and Humanity

• New York as a Central Tone (12:43–13:59):
  Hoffman describes the “wide scope of tone” as distinctly New York—beauty, humor, fear, and spectacle all packed into a few blocks.

  • Quote (John Hoffman, 12:57):
    “If you walk a 10-block walk in New York, you’re going to see something that makes you howl... You’ll get a whole lot of shifts.”
    [12:57]

• Writing During the Pandemic:
  The writers’ own experiences with isolation paralleled the characters’ loneliness, deepening the emotional stakes.

  • Quote (John Hoffman, 13:59):
    “...We’re writing at this time, never meeting each other in person, but also going through this fearful time... the connection that happens in this story felt like actually right in the time.”
    [13:59]
  • Influence:
    Hoffman found nightly comfort rewatching The Mary Tyler Moore Show, seeking its blend of comedy and humanity as a template.

• Theme of Loneliness:
  Even in a crowded city, people can be profoundly isolated – a central thread linking the trio.

5. Crafting the Mystery

• Episode Structure and Satisfying Answers (16:10–17:08):
  The writers committed to 10 episodes per season, each answering the whodunit for maximum payoff (vs. ambiguity). Backwards plotting was crucial:

  • Quote (John Hoffman, 16:41):
    "With each season... we answer who did it by the end. We not leave it ambiguous, we not play games..." [16:41]

• Secrets on Set and With Cast (18:10–18:53):
  Not everyone in the cast or crew knew the killer as scripts rolled out. The reaction to the final reveal was genuine shock, even among stand-ins and staff.

6. Attention to Detail: Color, Costumes, and Visual Identity

• Color Symbolism (19:25–21:13):
  The signature colors—like Mabel’s marigold/yellow—were the result of deep collaboration between Hoffman and costume designer Dana Covarrubius.
  • Quote (John Hoffman, 19:55):
    "I've got this color in my mind, which is this sort of sunflower, marigold, deep, like yellow.” [19:55]
  • He shares a Jane Fonda anecdote about finding the perfect “iconic look,” tying costume colors to character psychology and identity.

7. Misdirection and Teasing the Mystery

• Red Herrings and Layered Secrets (21:13–24:24):
  Multiple hints are dropped about jaw-dropping end episodes, how nothing is as it seems, and that connections run “deeper” than viewers might realize—especially for Mabel.
  • Quote (John Hoffman, 21:34):
    “Hopefully there’s a bit of a jaw dropper moment at the end of episode one. And in that moment, the series opens up... there are secrets that all of our characters have... may not be fully as they seem to be.”
    [21:34]
  • Red herrings are confirmed part of the experience, with episode two upending what fans think they know of episode one’s revelations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Showrunning:
  “I have never been so overwhelmed in my life. It's shocking what a showrunner does... But I personally love being that person because it so stems from the writing.”
  John Hoffman — [01:31]

• On Generational Podcasting:
  "Steve Martin and Martin Short have, like, a glass of wine type of thing... She’s listening to her beats while doing something else, drawing on her iPad.”
  Kevin Lan — [10:21]

• On Mystery Structure:
  “We sorted out the answer and then we really crafted the whole season from 10 to 1.”
  John Hoffman — [17:48]

• On Red Herrings:
  "We throw it all in. I will tell you... some of the answers you get... in episode one may or may not be the case. And that also includes all three of them..."
  John Hoffman — [23:48]

Fun Behind-the-Scenes & Podcast Segments

• Elevator Anecdote:
  Hoffman describes his nervous elevator ride with legendary Elaine May on the way to Steve Martin’s apartment.
  "One of those women was Elaine May—one of my heroes of all time."
  John Hoffman — [03:59]

• The Envelope Game (25:12–27:37):
  Hosts Elizabeth Keener and Kevin Lan make their own weekly murder-suspect predictions, sealing their choices in envelopes—though one (spoiler: Keener) declines to name anyone yet, signaling trust issues with early clues.

Important Timestamps

• Showrunning & Creative Control: [01:31–02:39]
• Origin of the Show & Podcast Element: [04:23–05:28]
• Casting Selena Gomez & Trio Chemistry: [09:01–12:20]
• Writing During the Pandemic & Thematic Heart: [13:57–15:02]
• Episode Structuring & Mystery Engineering: [16:10–18:10]
• Costume & Color Symbolism: [19:25–21:13]
• Red Herrings and Lasting Secrets: [23:48–24:24]
• Envelope Game — Fan Detectives: [25:12–27:37]

Conclusion

In this debut episode, listeners are treated to exclusive insights into the creation of Only Murders in the Building. John Hoffman reveals the many layers of the show—its comedy, heart, and carefully engineered mystery mechanics—offering tantalizing teases without spoilers. The interplay between classic and modern, the resonance of generational dynamics, and deep attention to visual storytelling stand out. The hosts’ playful tone and friendly banter, combined with Hoffman’s candor and anecdotes, make this a must-listen for fans eager to unravel both the show’s mystery and its creative spirit.