Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S2 E10: “I Know Who Did It”

Release Date: August 24, 2022 | Host: Elizabeth Keener & Kevin Lan | Guests: John Hoffman, Matteo Borghese, Rob Terofsky, Idina Verson

Episode Overview

This finale episode of the Season 2 “Only Murders in the Building” companion podcast takes listeners deep behind the scenes of the explosive S2E10 episode, “I Know Who Did It.” It celebrates the climactic killer reveal in the Arconia, unpacks the show’s twisting red herrings, explores how the finale was written and filmed, and features candid insights from cast, crew, and writers—especially Idina Verson (Poppy/Becky Butler). The hosts offer witty conversation, playful banter, and close the season with clues for what’s ahead in Season 3.

Theories, Suspects & The Red Herrings

Fans & Hosts Reflect (00:01 - 02:00)

• Early episode moments bring together both hosts, fans, and writers recalling their favorite murder theories.
• Idina Verson: “Straw hut meeting. Who do you think killed Bunny? I think it’s Alice … The gallery girl is what I call her.” (00:01)
• Theories from the team include Alice, Cinda, Detective Krebs, and even Howard (the cat guy), underscoring how the writers delight in misdirecting viewers.
• Elizabeth Keener and Kevin Lan—along with fan contributions—note that while some fans did land on Poppy/Becky and Kreps as suspects, “a lot of people guessed wrong.” (07:02)

Favorite Red Herrings & Crafting the Misdirection (08:04 - 09:45)

• Ursula and Nina Lynn were popular fan suspects, with writers intentionally crafting “body type” ambiguity (e.g., “glitter guy”).
• Matteo Borghese: “It’s amazing to meet the way people watch the show ... I have to step up my detailed storytelling.” (09:49)

The Path to the Finale—How the Killer Was Chosen

Selecting (and Concealing) Poppy as the Killer (10:31 - 11:18)

• Q: Did you know it was Poppy when you wrote her into season one?
  • Matteo Borghese: “No. I quickly came to the decision ... Poppy was one of them [options for S2 killer] ... The challenge was always, how do we hide her?” (10:35)
• The writers loved the idea of making a season where the trio is especially “disoriented”—thrown off their game by fame, trauma, and layered red herrings. (17:17)
• Poppy’s episode as narrator was key: “...to motivate her to do a thing like this, but also make us feel for her and imagine it could go either way.” (19:11)

Idina Verson’s Secret & Her Reaction (11:57 - 13:23)

• Idina Verson describes the secrecy around learning she was the killer:
  • “I had a Zoom with Jess and John, and they told me. They were like, you are the killer ... I was so excited.” (12:27–12:40)
• On negotiating her contract: “They can’t credit her. ... And finally they were like, okay, we’ll tell you.” (12:46)
• “Nobody in the crew knew. Nobody in the cast knew.” (13:26)

Revealing the Killer (and the Killer Reveal Party)

Secrets on Set (14:13 - 15:54)

• Idina recounts how she performed as the masked, sneezing figure in episode four, but her identity was concealed from nearly everyone—even crew and cast.
• The show used body doubles to avoid “Reddit sleuths” identifying her, but fans still spotted her face in the passageway scene. (16:02)

Writing the Killer Reveal & Group Scene (38:44 - 43:42)

• Filming the “killer reveal party” was a massive logistical feat across four days; not all actors could be present together, and Tina Fey’s scenes were shot with a stand-in for most of the time.
• Matteo Borghese: “You would never know it ... from the final cut ... all piecemealed ... that was working, after a lot of worry.” (41:08)
• Rob Terofsky: “...tracking, like, a few things at the same time—you’re scared that people will figure it out and turn off the show and you’ll lose your job and die in disgrace.” (44:20, humorously describes creative pressure.)
• The writers engineered “curveballs” like Charles being stabbed (as part of the act), aiming to surprise both Poppy and the audience. (44:36)

Hidden Details, Clues & Easter Eggs

The Famous 14 Sandwich / The Movie Reference (21:41 - 24:59)

• The infamous “liverwurst and marmalade sandwich” was invented in the writers’ room.
• The “14 Savage” clue and sandwich order were inspired by the film The Conversation (dir. Francis Ford Coppola), where misinterpreted dialogue becomes a vital clue.
  • Rob Terofsky: “…Gene Hackman is like a wiretapper ... and he hears them say ... ‘He’d kill us if he had the chance’ ... It means something different depending on the emphasis. … That’s what we hope 14 Savage was.” (24:06–24:59)

Clues about Poppy/Becky (35:51 - 36:30)

• Idina Verson: “Poppy’s a really good liar, and I’m just gonna play it at face value ... the little nuggets ... if you go back, you can kind of see ... the correcting of the pronunciation of Chickasha—that’s a huge clue.” (35:51–36:30)

The Pairings Theme (59:29)

• Matteo Borghese: “Season two had a lot of twos … Bunny had Mrs. Gambalini, Charles got a non-murderous love interest ... pairings were another big thing ... I have a feeling ... we’re going to be dealing in threes in season three.” (59:29–60:00)

Notable Moments & Quotes

Idina’s Rap Gift (53:57)

• Matteo Borghese: “She gave the greatest rap gift in history … I open it, and it is a ... butcher knife. And inscribed on the ... knife is ‘I’m sorry, Poppy.’” (53:58–54:27)

The Host’s Theories & Teasing Each Other

• Elizabeth Keener, on clues: “I’m stuck on the sweatshirts and the hoodies, man ... She had that reddish-orangish hoodie on [Poppy], ... that was a good clue.” (59:04–59:13)
• Kevin Lan, jokingly about guessing the next killer: “I’m going to say it’s Charles’s makeup artist girlfriend, played by Andrea Martin, I think.” (60:40)

Crafting the Season & “Acting” Moments

Structuring the Narrative (17:17–20:15)

• Season two intentionally disoriented the trio, making it hard for them (and the audience) to investigate as the leads themselves became suspects.

The Tomato & Slow Motion Gags (47:27–50:29)

• Writers came up with Cinda’s oddest fears: tomatoes and slow motion.
• The diner booth scene, with Poppy listing these quirks, is a favorite of the creative team.
  • John Hoffman as Charles takes notes: “That she does not like the inside of a tomato.” (48:59)
  • Elizabeth Keener: “When they did the slow motion, you had two character actors that were able to do that slow motion, it was unbelievable. They committed so much.” (49:52)

Logistics, Production & Fun Facts

Killer Reveal Party Filming Challenges (38:44–43:42)

• Tina Fey’s double was used for most days; coverage was shot with a stand-in and then Fey filmed her parts separately.
• The prop team enhanced the set with banners and cakes beyond what was in the script, embodying the series’ collaborative spirit. (46:01)

Bird Drama Behind the Scenes (51:58–53:14)

• Mrs. Gambalini, the bird, had animal doubles for lighting setups, and animal welfare was a key consideration.

Finale Reveal & Season 3 Tease

“Who texted the trio?” Explained (28:25 - 30:59)

• It was Poppy, intending to frame the podcast trio; if Mabel hadn’t returned for more champagne, the plan would have been perfect. (29:31–30:59)

Season 3 Teases (56:17–60:00)

• The showrunners hint that S3 may focus on Oliver (Martin Short)—each season rotates focus among the core cast.
• The murder next season will center on Ben Glenroy (Paul Rudd), a character new to the trio and the audience.
• “I have a feeling we’re going to be dealing in threes in season three …” (59:29–60:00)
• Expect more expansion on the mysterious confrontation between Charles and Ben before Ben’s death.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Idina Verson, on learning she was the killer: “You know, I was like, shut the f off. I was so excited.” (12:40)
• Rob Terofsky, on creative pressure: “…you’re scared that people will figure it out and turn off the show and you’ll lose your job and die in disgrace. Am I laying out the creative process?” (44:20)
• Matteo Borghese, on Steve Martin’s performance: “Steve Martin can be a little napkin off of a tomato. It’s so insane. But he commits …” (51:05)
• Idina Verson, apologizing as the killer: “I’m really sorry that Poppy’s ego got the best of her in a really horrifying way. … Murder is never okay …” (53:19)
• Matteo Borghese, on S3 structure: “I have a feeling we’re going to be dealing in threes in season three.” (60:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (00:01) – Opening theories
• (02:13) – Introductions to guests and episode 10 writers
• (03:24) – Recap of the finale episode plot
• (11:57) – Idina Verson on learning she’s the killer
• (21:41) – Liverwurst & marmalade sandwich and movie reference
• (28:25) – The trio’s fateful text message explained
• (38:44) – Behind the scenes: filming the killer reveal party
• (47:27) – Revealing Cinda’s fears: tomatoes & slow motion
• (53:57) – Idina’s “I’m sorry, Poppy” rap gift
• (56:17) – Writer teases about S3's focus on Oliver
• (59:29) – “In season three, dealing in threes” tease

Final Thoughts & Closing

The episode encapsulates what makes Only Murders in the Building so beloved—ingenious plotting, layered characters, playful meta-humor, and a genuine connection among cast, crew, and fans. The killer reveal’s logistics and secrecy were as complex as the mystery itself, and listeners get a satisfying deep dive into both the mechanics of murder-mystery TV and the personalities who bring it all to life.

“And with that, season two beats ceaselessly against the current …”

The season closes with banter, gratitude to fans, a nod to the “threes” motif for season 3, and a sense that the next murder is only an episode away.

For Newcomers

If you haven't watched the S2 finale, spoilers abound! For fans who enjoy the show’s blend of comedy, heart, and intricate plotting, this behind-the-scenes companion episode is essential listening—full of revelations, red herrings, cast insights, and playful speculation for the future of the Arconia’s most famous podcasters.