Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S1 E8: “Fan Fiction” (Aired October 6, 2021)

Host: Kevin Lon & Elizabeth Keener
Guests: Writers Rob Terboski & Matteo Borghese, Actor Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Main Theme:
A deep-dive into episode 8, “Fan Fiction,” exploring podcast superfans, the evolving murder mystery, and behind-the-scenes insights with cast and writing team – all centered on the infectious obsession the show-and real-life Only Murders podcast-inspires.

Overview of the Episode

• Episode 8 ("Fan Fiction") heightens the stakes for our Arconia trio, bringing their own podcast’s superfans, "the Arconiacs," into the action as they race to wrap up their story.
• Writers Rob Terboski and Matteo Borghese discuss how they blend comedy and mystery, the challenge of writing for such a complex show, and the joys/pains of tracking every floor in the Arconia.
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph reflects on Detective Williams and her NY grit, true crime aversion, and working alongside show legends.
• The hosts, joined by the guests, enthusiastically theorize about potential killers, hidden details, the roles of superfans, and fan theories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of Episode 8 (00:37–04:42)

• Teddy threatens the trio, forcing them to end the podcast by 7am — a true “dead line.”
• The podcast has spawned a devoted fanbase, the “Arconiacs,” who get directly involved in the story.
  • Elizabeth Keener: “What a great name. I love that.” (01:51)
• Jan and Charles discover that Tim was investigating Theo Demas, tying into the grave-robbing subplot.
• New evidence reveals Tim was poisoned before being shot, and Teddy/Theo have airtight alibis for the shooting.
• Group assembles to record a final podcast, with Jan, Oscar, and three (of four) Arconiacs helping.
• Suspicion shifts: Jan tries to redirect attention to Howard the cat guy.
• Shocking turn: Jan is attacked and possibly dead, a note with “I’m watching you” left on her door.

2. The Writers’ Room: Balancing Comedy, Mystery & Structure (05:05–08:32)

• Writers Rob Terboski and Matteo Borghese were brought in as a duo, accustomed to comedy but found Only Murders a unique challenge:
  • Matteo Borghese: “Tonally, it’s a lot different… There’s a shift in tone... We’re supposed to buy in on the mystery. It’s not just a straight comedy.” (07:27)
  • Rob Terboski: “There’s this melancholy sort of thing… it has depth and texture… a really fun challenge.” (08:00)
• Writing for intricate plotlines, large ensemble scenes, and layers of story is both “painstaking” and “fun.”

3. True Crime & Podcast Fandom (08:32–10:41)

• Matteo’s background: Former true crime researcher at CourtTV, daily scouring news for bizarre crimes (08:39).
• Rob’s background: More familiar with comedy and “My Favorite Murder,” but both writers love the genre’s twists.
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Detective Williams) admits to being “freaked out” by true crime and scary stories:
  • Da’Vine Joy Randolph: “They freak me out. I don’t watch scary movies and I definitely don’t when it’s based on true events. No, turn it off.” (10:15)

4. Getting the Job & Writing for Icons (10:52–14:30)

• Breaking into Only Murders involved “pleading and begging,” even putting a Steve Martin poster on camera:
  • Rob Terboski: “If you’re an aspiring writer… just make a mess of yourself in a meeting. Cry, beg, barter…” (12:04)
• Their first scene for the show was an audition “side” to land Nathan Lane (Teddy Demas), writing villainous monologues for actors to stretch out (13:10–13:46).
• Crafting big group scenes, ensuring every character has something “funny or interesting to do,” is especially challenging (14:15).

5. Episode 8’s Core Themes: Fan Obsession—Both Real & Fictional (15:35–16:53)

• The Arconiacs parallel the main trio, reflecting the audience’s obsession and speculation.
  • Matteo Borghese: “They are those superfans. They are kind of where our trio started out... it was just fun to go back and revisit that.”
• Intentional nerdiness: Even the whereabouts of minor characters (e.g., “Grant had piano lessons”) gets fans theorizing.

6. Detective Williams: Evolution, Perspective & Realism (18:28–23:50)

• Writers wanted the audience to be drawn along as Detective Williams shifts from “firm non-believer” in podcasts to momentarily believing the trio, before disappointment.
  • Rob Terboski: “We wanted the audience to be along that ride with her… it should feel crushing, but not so crushing that you’re gonna stop watching.” (18:42–19:17)
• Da’Vine Joy Randolph frames Williams as grounded, devoted, and “magnetic,” never a bumbling foil.
  • Da’Vine Joy Randolph: “She is a woman who is… salt of the earth, born and raised in New York, and she lives to help people.” (20:41)
  • She’s realistic, practical, “can’t easily be excited or fooled"—the anti-Oliver. (23:50)

7. On-Set Highlights & The Relentless Joy of Filming (24:43–29:20)

• Da’Vine joyfully explains how her casting, including her hair style, serendipitously became part of Williams’s character (25:09–27:30).
• Notes the thrill and challenge of filming technical dialogue, balancing fast-talking NYPD lingo and comedy.
• New York’s energy and community made filming special, neighbors totally engrossed and on board. (27:31)

8. Character Motivations, Relationships & the Joy of Casting (27:50–30:56)

• Detective Williams’s partner “softens” her and motivates her to take a risk with the amateur sleuths.
• Steve Martin and Martin Short are described as “complimentary and kind"; Selena Gomez “calm, cool, collected… not wavered” despite being surrounded by comedy legends.
  • The “generational gap” in casting (Steve Martin’s idea!) cleverly expands the show’s demographic.

9. Favorite Scenes, Set Antics & Sex Talk (31:02–38:21)

• Writers’ favorite moment: Marty Short’s “confused dog/fan speech,” causing Steve Martin and Selena Gomez to crack up on set repeatedly (31:32–32:26).
  • Quote:
    • Kevin Lon: “Do I wish our fans were a little more hip? Yes. Do I wish they were a tad more on top of their hygiene? Absolutely. Do they have a confused look in their eyes, like a dog that’s heard a strange sound? Yeah. But strap that dog to a sled and, baby, you’ll be flying across the tundra.” (31:32–31:53)
• Charles is uncharacteristically happy, repeatedly (and awkwardly) proclaiming he had sex—a writer’s intentional running gag.
  • Matteo Borghese: “I have this thing where I need to know if characters are having sex, and if they just had sex, I want them to say it.” (37:37)

10. Clues, Apartment Geography & Fan Theories (35:03–39:10, 41:56–45:45)

• Hyper-detailed focus on which floor and apartment each character lives in—fan theorizing matches this obsessive energy.
  • Matteo Borghese: “The geography of people and places in the building has always been something we paid an annoyingly close attention to.” (35:24)
• Listener theories include:
  • Jan’s proximity to the Demases in 6A/6B is significant. (43:02)
  • Bunny (the HOA president) as a suspect tied to Theo, detailed by listener Julie. (44:01)
  • Sting as potential “rock star” suspect; misdirections abound.
• Previous clues about “an anagram in dialogue spelling out the actor’s hometown” debunked as a “bullshit” red herring by the writers:
  • Rob Terboski: "Is it time to tell people that Markley’s clue is just bullshit?... people are headed, like, into QAnon land with this.” (38:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Elizabeth Keener (on the Arconiacs):
  “They were super excited. I mean, super fans. Super excited. Maybe too excited… they can’t control themselves.” (03:20–03:28)

• Da’Vine Joy Randolph (on viewers embracing the amateur sleuths):
  “It’s extremely annoying slash illegal. We never talk about that, but…” (21:05)

• Matteo Borghese (on Sherlock Holmes and poison):
  “I would be more suspicious of Sherlock Holmes’ rampant misogyny, honestly.” (34:22)

• Rob Terboski (on the 'mess' of breaking into the business):
  "If you’re an aspiring writer, just make a mess of yourself in a meeting, cry, beg, barter... that’s your only hope, in my experience." (12:04)

• Michelle Grego, bassoonist (on her instrument):
  “You can’t take life too seriously and play the bassoon because… we’re known as the clown of the orchestra.” (33:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37–04:42: Recap of episode 8, main developments, and the Arconiacs
• 05:05–08:32: Writers’ backgrounds and the challenge of merging comedy, mystery, and depth
• 08:32–10:41: True crime’s influence on the writers and cast
• 10:52–14:30: Landing the writing gig, first scenes, and writing group scenes
• 15:35–16:53: On fans, superfans, and writing the Arconiacs
• 18:28–23:50: Detective Williams’s perspective and Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s approach
• 24:43–27:50: On-set stories, Detective Williams’s partner, and impact on character
• 27:50–30:56: Reflections on the cast, the power of a generational gap, and joy of the ensemble
• 31:32–32:26: Marty’s “confused dog/fan” scene—cast laughter and rehearsals
• 35:03–36:59: Fan theorizing, Arconia geography, clues and red herrings
• 41:56–45:45: Listener-submitted theories and host speculation

The Whodunit Summit: Theories & Fan Feedback (39:53–45:45)

• Hosts lock in their suspects:
  • Elizabeth picks Will (Oliver's son); Kevin picks Howard the Cat Guy, with lingering suspicions of Jan.
  • Listener “Lucas” theorizes about Jan’s apartment proximity; “Jennifer” reconsiders Theo vs. Teddy; “Julie” makes an elaborate case for Bunny; “Jacob’s wife” suspects Sting.
• This discussion underscores the communal, interactive fun of Only Murders, both onscreen and off.

Tone and Style

The hosts and guests maintain a light-hearted, playful, and nerdily enthusiastic banter throughout, embracing the increasingly obsessive dedication both the characters and listeners have for the show. There is continual, self-referential humor, with everyone relishing both theorizing and poking fun at their own over-analysis.

Final Thoughts

“Fan Fiction” is about the infectious spread of true crime obsession—from the Arconiacs to the hosts themselves. The episode is packed with behind-the-scenes gems, witty banter, reflections on character motivation, fan culture, set shenanigans, and playful deconstruction of clues. The Only Murders Podcast, like the show, thrives on its meta-commentary—celebrating fans and creators alike, while laughing with (never at) the deeply invested audience.

Tune in for the next episode breakdown, more clues (real or not!), and your latest fan theories.