Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast
Episode: S2 E6 BONUS: Performance Review - LIVE REDDIT TALK
Date: August 2, 2022
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard) | Guests: Adina Verson (Poppy White), Ben Smith & Joshua Griffith (Writers), Reddit Fans

Episode Overview

This special bonus episode is a lively, interactive Reddit talk with the cast and writers of Only Murders in the Building, centering on Season 2 Episode 6, "Performance Review." Hosted by Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard), the discussion is highlighted by an in-depth interview with Adina Verson, who plays Poppy White, plus insights from writers Ben Smith and Joshua Griffith. Fans join in with live questions, theories, and appreciation for the show's characters and layered mysteries. The episode unpacks Poppy's pivotal role, actor process, boundary themes, on-set stories, fan theories, and the delightfully obsessive Reddit community.

Key Discussion Points

The Rise of Poppy White: Behind the Scenes with Adina Verson

• Poppy-Centric Episode and Narration (02:31–03:04)

  • Adina expresses excitement about Poppy finally getting her own narrative episode.
  • Quote: “It’s such a gift to be a smaller character on the show and then get to narrate an episode. You never know who’ll get that spotlight.” - Adina (02:53)

• Transitioning from Wallflower to Center Stage (03:11–04:30)

  • Adina relates to Poppy’s nervousness stepping into bigger roles:
    • “Sometimes it’s hard for me to step into a bigger role… but the set was really respectful. They fleshed out Poppy in a way that made her very clear and relatable.” - Adina (03:26)

• Constructing Poppy’s “NPR Voice” (04:30–06:30)

  • The development of Poppy’s unique vocal tone originated in Adina’s original Cinda audition, inspired by NPR hosts and aiming for “smooth NPR” to contrast her initial, over-the-top New York character take.
  • Quote: “The radio voice came from wanting to do the total opposite of this absurd New York choice I auditioned with originally.” - Adina (05:08)

• Influence of Tina Fey’s Cinda (06:37–08:29)

  • Adina auditioned for Cinda but ended up playing Poppy.
  • Poppy literally copies Cinda’s style, even wearing similar glasses. Adina watched Tina closely on set to inform her reactions as Poppy.

Reddit Fan Q&A: Boundaries, Revenge, and Character Craft

• Theme of Boundaries Across Characters (10:06–12:18)

  • Fans notice boundary issues for nearly all leads in S2E6.
  • Adina: “When someone doesn’t set their boundaries, it tends to explode somewhere eventually… Maybe it’ll be a journey to see who sets boundaries and what that means.” (11:45)
  • Fan: “Let’s agree to set boundaries so we don’t die—that’s the moral of the season!” (12:18)

• The Actor’s Approach to Poppy’s Narration (12:41–14:48)

  • Adina details her process: “I printed out pages, worked on them scene by scene, and built the emotional life underneath—her dreams, fears, and what drives her anxiety to please.” (13:08)

• Fan Theories: Anagrams & Poppy’s Revenge Style (14:59–16:59)

  • Mrs. Gambalini = “M. Mora sibling” is an anagram but the team can’t confirm anything.
  • On Poppy’s revenge: “She’d do something very well planned so it wouldn’t be obvious. A little covert operation, for sure.” - Adina (16:40)

Writers’ Insights: Reddit Theories, Easter Eggs, and Motifs

• On Reddit Obsession and Accidental Clues (19:00–20:44)

  • Writers enjoy lurking on Reddit, reading theories—sometimes they’re astounded by how much fans read into accidental details.
    • “We’re getting way too much credit sometimes… but some fans get shockingly close!” - Ben Smith (19:00)
    • Cast and crew sometimes share the funniest Reddit posts via text.

• NPR Inspiration for Poppy (21:00–22:58)

  • Adina drew on Terry Gross for her “White Noise” voice.
    • “I just ripped off Terry Gross.” - Adina (21:27)
  • Writers are NPR fans; Joshua is a KCRW member who loves their “Good Food” show.

• “Glitter Bombs,” Slasher Elements & Bunny’s Fate (24:19–34:43)

  • Glitter trail was not inspired by Mark Rober’s famous glitter bombs, but rather by general mischief tropes.
  • Slasher theme addressed: Yes, eight stab wounds is a lot—writers mention it's partly an intentional genre send-up to comment on how true-crime uses victims for pathos.
    • “Humanizing Bunny and then seeing her murdered is attacking brutally, but also a way to comment on how victims are handled in the genre.” - Joshua Griffith (33:10)

• Motifs of Doubling and Breakups (26:25–28:10)

  • Writers note that parallels (Cinda/Poppy, Charles/Saz, Mabel/Alice) developed organically rather than by plan, showing the show’s layered storytelling.

• Favorite Characters to Write For (29:36–30:59)

  • Jan Pataky’s wild energy and Tina Fey’s Cinda are most fun for writers this episode.

Fan Theories & Community Highlights

• Discussion of Empathy, Theories, and Easter Eggs (39:24–41:26)

  • Reddit’s intense theorycrafting praised; episode especially fuels love for Poppy and sympathy for Mabel’s “worst day ever.”
  • Notable theory: An analysis of Arconiacs and podcast view counts suggests a traitor or “sleeper agent” among them, inspired by subtle background details (number of fans vs. viewers).

• Whodunit Summit: Hosts’ Weekly Theories (37:08–38:43)

  • For this week, Cinda is the chief suspect due to her pettiness, ambition, and possible jealousy toward the trio.
  • Discussion whether Alice’s apparent art-forging is a separate crime thread or tied to the murder plot.

Notable Quotes & Highlights (with Timestamps)

• On Poppy’s relatability:

  • “There is a huge Team Poppy on Reddit. She hits a very human chord for a lot of people.” – Host (01:57)

• Adina on getting the script:

  • “It was such an honor… it takes a lot of trust for people to give you a bigger role.” (13:08)

• On boundaries as central theme:

  • “When somebody doesn’t set their boundaries, it tends to, you know, explode somewhere eventually.” – Adina (11:45)

• Community fandom:

  • “Seeing Poppy get her flowers has been particularly exciting for everyone.” – Host (17:51)

• Meta-podcast moment:

  • “If you ever want to start a podcast, Adina, you got it down.” – Host (06:30)

• On the “sleuthiness” of Reddit:

  • “The level of detail and sleuthing is pretty incredible on this sub… at the end of the day, it makes me feel like anybody could be a murderer, even in real life.” – Adina (20:38)

Important Timestamps

• 02:31 – Poppy episode focus and narration
• 03:11 – Adina on becoming the episode’s lead
• 04:30 – Creation of Poppy’s “NPR” voice
• 07:02 – Poppy imitating Cinda, style and character cues
• 10:06 – Fan question on boundaries as a season theme
• 12:41 – Poppy’s emotional preparation and actor’s approach
• 15:02 – Reddit anagram theory (“Mrs. Gambalini”)
• 16:40 – How would Poppy get revenge on Cinda?
• 19:00 – Writers on reading and lurking on Reddit
• 21:27 – NPR influences for Poppy’s voice
• 24:19 – Writers on the “glitter bomb” plot device
• 26:25 – Discussion of episode motifs and breakups
• 29:36 – Favorite characters to write (Jan, Cinda)
• 32:08 – Humanizing Bunny and slasher elements
• 39:24 – Reddit theory: the traitor among the Arconiacs
• 37:08 – Weekly “whodunit summit” (host suspects Cinda)

Conclusion

This Reddit-LIVE episode offers an intimate, enthusiastic glimpse behind the making of Only Murders in the Building S2E6, focusing on the pivotal character of Poppy White. Listeners are treated to honest reflections from cast and writers, actor process deep dives, playful banter, and the best of fan sleuthing. The organic growth of motifs, intentional and unintentional clues, and the tight-knit, detail-obsessed community highlight the show’s charm and complexity.

Fans leave with warmth for Poppy and Mabel, insights on set culture and actor preparation, confirmed Easter eggs, and plenty to fuel ongoing theories about murder, art, boundaries, and podcast rivalry in the Arconia.