Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

Episode: S2 E8 – “Black Out”

Date: August 10, 2022

Host: Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard), Hulu
Guests: Madeline George (Episode Writer), Ally Stroker (Paulette, Arconiac/Superfan), John Hoffman (Showrunner), Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard)

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Elizabeth Keener and Kevin Lan go behind the scenes of Only Murders in the Building Season 2, Episode 8: "Black Out." The discussion highlights the chaos and comic tension of a city-wide blackout in the Arconia, the deepening connections and personal growth of beloved characters (especially Howard), and unveils a major clue regarding the elusive "Glitter Guy." Featuring cast and crew interviews, the episode celebrates the show’s unique blend of comedy, mystery, and heartfelt human moments amid crisis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Episode 8 Recap & Main Plot Points

• Blackout Mayhem: The Arconia is plunged into darkness, cutting off communication and stranding characters in awkward (and sometimes dangerous) situations.
• Lucy in Danger: Lucy is alone and threatened by an intruder; escaping through Arconia’s secret passageways (02:13-02:52).
• Howard’s Romance: Howard and new neighbor Jonathan bond over candles and batteries, sparking a romantic subplot (02:52-03:07).
• Building Unity: The residents sing “The Sound of Silence” together—a pivotal, moving community moment (03:23-03:38).
• The Sneeze Clue: Lucy reveals she witnessed Bunny’s murder and heard the killer sneeze (03:38-03:47).
• Glitter Guy Identified: Suspicion falls on Detective Kreps, found with pink glitter behind his ear and a suspicious injury (04:07-04:21; 35:21).

2. Behind the Blackout: The Writer’s Perspective

Madeline George (Writer):

• On Capturing NYC in Crisis: “...this idea that, like, oh, New Yorkers will tear each other limb from limb in a crisis, but it's really the opposite. New Yorkers come together in a moment like that.” (06:29)
• Episode Inspiration: The blackout episode was initially pitched by Joshua Griffith, with George’s own NYC experience influencing the script’s communal, hopeful tone (05:47-06:03).
• Collaborative Writers’ Room: Most plotlines/jokes are collaborative, with individual writers taking on scenes/themes where they’re best suited (05:02-05:40).

3. Superfans & Character Deep Dives

Ally Stroker (Paulette):

• Describes Paulette as “mama hen,” wrangling the unruly Arconiac fan club and possibly hailing from upstate, more “country gal” than city (08:44-09:45).
• On Superfans: The show’s fandom extends beyond the screen: “People become fans of the show so quickly...we all feel like a detective” (09:58).

Howard’s Evolution—Michael Cyril Creighton:

• From Sorrow to Glow Up: “Last season, he was so deeply entrenched in his mourning...this season...Howard wants to come out of his shell a bit.” (11:07)
• A Classic Nosy Neighbor: “He just is nosy...that classic nosy neighbor.” (11:57)
• On Romance: Unused to romantic plots, Creighton appreciated the chance to play Howard finding love with Jonathan (14:48).
• Spark of Confidence: The hosts and George praise Howard’s newfound confidence and nervous-yet-sincere attempts at romance (15:32-15:45).

On Making The Trio Connection:

• Creighton: “I just think he wants to be part of something more. He's looking for a community and he's like, maybe I can get it through these three.” (14:19)

4. Music, Yodeling, and Human Connection

The Sound of Silence/Quartet:

• George: “That image of song reaching each other...is definitely inflected by our experience of the pandemic in New York.” (20:53)
• The singing/yodeling moment symbolizes community resilience and strengthens the metaphor for personal and collective connection in times of crisis.

On Learning to Yodel:

• Michael Cyril Creighton recounts hastily learning to yodel via YouTube for the role, crediting instructor “Jennifer” and professional coach Dan Faber (24:10-27:30).
• Quote: "Can't sing, but I can yolo." (27:37)
• Yodeling the "Sound of Silence" posed a humorous yet daunting challenge: “I could not wrap my head around it...They hired this...voice teacher...teaching me how to turn Sound of Silence into a yodel.” (26:19)

5. Crafting Ensemble Scenes

• The unforgettable “Sound of Silence” moment was filmed in pieces and later assembled; actors often performed separately with pre-recorded tracks to synchronize (30:08-31:25).
• Creighton: “I love any moment where, like, the whole building comes together in the show.” (31:09)

6. Secondary Storylines: The Blackout’s Ripple

• Nina & Lester’s Connection: The blackout gives characters like Nina Lynn and doorman Lester unexpected space to bond and second-guess their previously transactional relationship (31:44-32:59).
• Marv’s Heroism: Marv, the superfan, steps up to save Lucy, deepening his character beyond mere comic relief (33:19-33:57).
• Insight from John Hoffman: “...he's driven in ways that are a little deeper and a little more relatable than we might have expected.” (33:57)

Notable Quotes

• On the power of community:
  • Madeline George: “New Yorkers come together in a moment like that. People come out of the woodwork. People emerge from their apartments, and they join each other on the street.” (06:29)
• On Howard’s life:
  • Michael Cyril Creighton: “He just is nosy...he's that classic nosy neighbor.” (11:57)
  • “There was something really nice about [having] a romance...I don't usually get a romance.” (14:48)
• On musical moments and the pandemic:
  • Madeline George: “Song or speech or noise could travel from window to window, I think it really...became something very dear to our hearts as New Yorkers.” (20:53)
• On Glitter Guy reveal:
  • Madeline George, on Detective Kreps: "He's just been cruising for a bruise, and we just want to punch that guy in the mouth. And so now to know that, in fact, there's much, much more to him...feels to me tantalizing." (39:33)
• Yodeling journey:
  • Michael Cyril Creighton: “I just wonder if you have a yodel in you. And I was like, excuse me? ... I immediately started Googling how to yodel.” (24:10)
• On fan theories:
  • Host: “I just want to say that's five. ... It would be a Yodel shop quintet.” [On the idea of a musical episode] (46:56)

Important Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic Description | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 02:13-03:54 | Episode recap; blackout, Lucy’s escape, Howard's romance| | 04:07-04:21 | Glitter Guy suspicion falls on Detective Kreps | | 05:47-07:00 | Madeline George on blackout episode inspiration | | 09:58-10:45 | Ally Stroker on fandom and meta-mystery elements | | 11:03-12:06 | Michael Cyril Creighton on Howard's evolution | | 15:32-15:45 | Howard’s confidence and romance subplot | | 20:53-22:26 | Madeline George on “Sound of Silence” and music in NYC | | 24:10-27:37 | Creighton learns to yodel | | 31:44-32:59 | Nina and Lester’s relationship grows in the blackout | | 33:19-33:57 | Marv’s redemption as a hero | | 35:21-36:05 | Spotting the pink glitter on Kreps | | 39:33-41:19 | Writers on surprises, clues, and red herrings | | 41:52-44:05 | “Whodunit Summit”—hosts reveal current murder suspect picks| | 46:18-47:00 | Fan mail featuring theories on Alice and Marv |

Clues, Red Herrings & Fan Theories

• Glitter Guy as Kreps:

  • Pink glitter, shoulder injury, suspicious behavior intensifies suspicions—“Detective Kreps is determined. Is my suspect, but I don’t know why he would kill Bunny.” (43:28)

• Sneeze Clue Returns:

  • Lucy confirms the murderer sneezed; Howard’s paramour Jonathan sneezes in this episode—possibly a red herring. “I've been keeping an eye out for people sneezing since the person in the catacombs...” (40:22)

• Tyvek Suit/Mold Inspector Theory:

  • Fan mail identifies a visual connection between Alice and Marv, both shown with protective suits, hinting at secret passage familiarity (46:18).

• Red Herrings Celebrated:

  • The episode relishes misleading the audience, planting multiple possible suspects, many of whom are quickly exonerated or given sympathetic backstory.

Memorable Moments

• Sound of Silence/Yodeling Sequence: Unites the building and deepens emotional resonance about loneliness and connection (23:02–23:36).
• Howard’s Yodeling Backstory: Michael’s sincere attempt to learn yodeling becomes a running joke, culminating in a personalized yodel sent to the hosts (29:04).
• Whodunit Summit: The hosts dramatically unveil their current prime suspects: Alice (the art gallery owner) and Detective Kreps, explaining their reasoning (41:52-43:54).
• Fan Contributions: Listeners contribute wild and thoughtful theories, as well as episode suggestions, like a full musical/yodel episode with the cast (46:41).

Final Thoughts

Human Connection in Chaos
The blackout, while a plot device for suspense, is also a mechanism to deepen connections—romantic, personal, and communal. Song, yodeling, and acts of kindness (or heroism) unite a quirky community, even as the murder mystery escalates.

Mystery Moves Forward
With new evidence against Detective Kreps and suspicions about several other residents, listeners are left eagerly awaiting the next reveal. The show continues to balance sincere emotion, offbeat humor, and tantalizing whodunit breadcrumbs.

End of Summary