Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S1 E9: "Double Time" (October 13, 2021)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode takes listeners on an in-depth journey behind the scenes of episode nine ("Double Time") of Only Murders in the Building. Hosted by Elizabeth Keener and Kevin Lon, the show features conversations with executive producer Jess Rosenthal, composer Siddhartha Khosla, and LA Philharmonic's second chair bassoonist Michelle Grego. The episode unpacks key plot points, explores the show's signature music, delves into the mysterious allure of the bassoon, and features playful moments, fan theories, and cast insights—all while celebrating the quirky, charming spirit of the Arconia.

Episode Breakdown

Episode Recap: Key Plot Developments

(00:27–05:13)

• Jan's fate: Jan is alive, having been stabbed, but claims not to have seen her attacker.
• Zaz Pataki's arrival: Charles' stunt double, played by Jane Lynch, briefly joins the core investigation team—much to Jan’s annoyance.
  • "She didn't welcome me like this, but they embraced death." – Jan (paraphrased by Elizabeth Keener, 01:50)
• Bunny’s Power Move: Bunny has evicted Oliver (who's now staying with Mabel) and called a vote to evict Charles, Mabel, and Oliver from the Arconia.
  • "She has an agenda. She has an HOA agenda." – Elizabeth Keener (02:34)
• Howard’s Spine: Cat guy Howard Morris tries to defend the trio but folds under pressure from Bunny.
• Investigation stakes rise: The only way to save their apartments is to solve the murder.
  • "It would vindicate them big time." – Elizabeth Keener (03:29)
• Clues Revisited:
  • Trash bag Tim carried was not from his apartment (different colored handles)
  • Tim was seeing someone before his death—potentially Jan, due to the discovery of a bassoon cleaner.
    • "Maybe they were just cleaning bassoons." – Kevin Lon (04:22)
    • "Kinky, sexy bassoonist!" – Elizabeth Keener (04:28)
  • Jan lied about her status as first chair bassoon.

Guest Segment: Jess Rosenthal (Executive Producer)

(05:52–07:23, 29:42–30:56)

• Producer’s Role: Persistence is key ("begging for a lunch with Steve Martin for three years").
  • "One aspect of being an executive producer is simply persistence... The first couple moves of a project are a big deal." – Jess Rosenthal (06:05)
• Working on Multiple Shows: Split production responsibilities with Dan Fogelman (06:59–07:20)
• Season 2 Insights: Scripts are in development, production is ramping up, and the joy on set is palpable.
  • "The writers are writing, and so it's such a wonderful process to see these, the continuing adventures of our trio..." – Jess Rosenthal (29:42)
  • The season is planned as another 10-episode run.
• On Awards Potential: Early hope for Emmys/Golden Globes, especially with star talent like Amy Ryan.
  • "Amy, you gotta sprinkle some of this magic thing you have on ours. And she promised she would." – Jess Rosenthal (30:25)

Deep Dive: Siddhartha Khosla (Composer)

(07:23–22:04)

• Background: Former frontman of Goldspot; transitioned into composing via TV and film placements; long-time collaborator with Dan Fogelman (showrunner of This Is Us).
  • "That band was the thing that helped me become a composer for television, film." – Siddhartha Khosla (07:45)
• Process: Most composition starts with piano, then builds with a 40-piece orchestra.
  • Influences include Bollywood singers, Eric Satie, and Philip Glass.
  • Personal theme song would be "Yedil Na Hota Bechara" by Mohammed Rafi (10:51)
    • "Just very sort of like, quirky, melancholic, you know, slightly humorous, but also...unsettling..." (11:32)
• Creating the Show's Sound:
  • Early direction: "Classic but modern"—bridge old and new to reflect the show's tone and New York setting.
    • "How do you find something that feels old, classic, but modern as well?" – Siddhartha Khosla (14:49)
  • Use of Home Depot buckets as percussion to evoke NYC subway musicians.
    • "We had this drummer come in to play the main title on Home Depot Buckets." (15:44)
• Scoring Approach: Prefers composing before visual cuts are locked; avoids limiting "temp music".
  • "Everyone has a creative vision individually...so I work very early in the process." (17:32)
• Themes and Variations:
  • Less about character-specific themes, more about tonal motifs (e.g., the "Arconia theme").
    • "That becomes a sort of like, Arconia theme." (18:13)
  • Oliver's daydreams, Selena and Tim’s “dystopian” version, built on recurring motifs.
• Bassoon's Role:
  • Integrated more as the show progressed, despite initial reluctance due to its comedic reputation.
    • "But it was also justified because I think the bassoon has this reputation of being overly comedic..." (19:45)
  • The challenge: Keep music dramatic, not comedic, even with quirky undertones.
• Scoring "The Boy from 6B":
  • Scoring a nearly silent episode was one of his proudest challenges.
  • "There was no lead singer...So the melodies, just that line alone told a lot of the story..." (20:52)
• Musical Clues:
  • Confirmed there are clues in the score—some intentional, others discovered as the season evolved.
    • "There, there’s a clue or clues in the music, but the clue...was unintentional [but] as the season progressed, I was like, oh, okay, this could be intentional." – Siddhartha Khosla (28:52)
  • Promises more insights post-finale.

Exploring the Bassoon: Michelle Grego

(22:35–28:22)

• Instrument Anatomy: Four main pieces (boot, wing joint, long joint, bell) plus reed.
  • "Your left thumb is responsible for nine keys. So that's what I mean. When it's complicated, it's crazy." – Michelle Grego (23:01)
• Life as a Bassoonist:
  • Usually only four bassoonists in major orchestras; still a male-skewed field but changing.
    • "I'm not second best, but I'm more the supportive actress is what I would say." (25:18)
  • Michelle could tell Jan’s case was a bassoon on episode three:
    • "By the size of it...I was like, that's my life." (26:02)
  • Backstory: Switched from flute to bassoon after a high school band teacher suggested the "rare" instrument (music scholarships followed).
    • "If she can play bassoon well, she'll get a scholarship for college." (26:41)
  • Proud collection of bassoon-themed swag, including reed earrings and mugs.
• Women in Bassoon:
  • Celebrates women breaking the glass ceiling, like Nancy Gore (Pittsburgh) and Judy LeClaire (New York).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Kinky, sexy bassoonist!" – Elizabeth Keener riffing on Jan's mysterious side (04:28)
• "One aspect of being an executive producer is simply persistence... The first couple moves of a project are a big deal." – Jess Rosenthal (06:05)
• "How do you find something that feels old, classic, but modern as well?" – Siddhartha Khosla on the show's sound direction (14:49)
• "We're not used to hearing bassoon, like, and...the direction for me on the score was keep the score as dramatic as possible...I'm playing into the seriousness of what's happening." – Siddhartha Khosla (19:45)
• "The joy and spirit that it was to make this show was so palpable on set and in the process. And I'm just so thrilled that it feels like that spirit and joy has come out through the show itself." – Jess Rosenthal (30:56)
• "The only reason I'm doing what I'm doing is because I had a band director who believed in me...I think music education is the key for anyone and everyone to be able to do what I'm doing." – Michelle Grego on music education’s importance (31:23)
• "There, there’s a clue or clues in the music...Some unintentional, now intentional." – Siddhartha Khosla, teasing musical Easter eggs (28:52)

Fan Theories & The Whodunit Summit

(31:54–42:34)

• Hosts’ Pick: Both Elizabeth and Kevin put Bunny as their prime suspect.
  • "I'm going all in on Bunny. Two exclamation points." – Kevin Lon (32:21)
  • "She has access to the building. She’s able to get people evicted. She got a lot of Tim Kono's boxes and packages." – Elizabeth Keener (33:08)
• Listener Theories:
  • Jan: Some listeners suspect Jan, or that she was involved with others.
  • Oscar’s Dad: Motivated by revenge for Oscar’s false imprisonment.
  • Lucy (Charles’ stepdaughter): Possible connection via handwriting and Hardy Boys-like meddling.
  • Lester (Doorman): Could he be Zoe’s father? (Hosts doubtful)
  • Oscar (“Tie-dye guy”): Motive: revenge.
  • Dr. Stanley (Building Therapist): Theory involving accidental poisoning, covering up Tim’s death as a suicide, and possible ties to Jan as a patient/accomplice.
    • "What if Tim's death was an accidental poisoning, covered up to make it look like a suicide?" – Sarah, Listener Email (40:08)
  • Multiple Theories: Some believe two or more characters were in on it.
• Bonus Appreciation: The hosts share gratitude for their listener community’s creativity and for music educators everywhere.

Important Timestamps

• 00:27–05:13: Episode summary and clue review.
• 07:23–22:04: Siddhartha Khosla’s segment on composing.
• 22:35–28:22: Michelle Grego explains all about the bassoon.
• 28:38–29:27: Sid’s musical clues.
• 29:42–30:56: Jess Rosenthal on Season 2 and the joy of making the show.
• 31:54–42:34: The Whodunit Summit (hosts’ and listener theories).

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out as both witty and illuminating—balancing deep-dive creative discussions (especially on the show’s music and mood), inside production stories, and playful fandom. The hosts’ rapport, paired with fascinating guests, uncovers the intricate layers of Only Murders in the Building while celebrating music, mystery, and the community uniting Arconia diehards.

For newcomers, this episode is a must-listen for insights into the show’s heart and the collaborative artistry behind its success.