Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S2 E9 BONUS: Sparring Partners – LIVE REDDIT TALK

Release Date: August 20, 2022
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton ("Howard")
Guests: Siddhartha Khosla (series composer), Kirker Butler (writer, S2E9), KK & Keener (fan podcast segment hosts), Live Reddit Audience

Episode Overview

This episode is a lively, behind-the-scenes Reddit Talk focused on Season 2, Episode 9 ("Sparring Partners") of Only Murders in the Building. The podcast brings together fans, the episode’s writer Kirker Butler, the series' composer Siddhartha Khosla, and community moderators for an interactive discussion. Major themes include episode theories, the evolving music of the series, writing for different types of viewers, balancing comedy with mystery, and fun anecdotes from the cast and crew.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fan Theories & "Whodunit Summit"

• Reddit engagement: Fans invited to raise hands, comment live, or drop questions for the creators.
• Whodunit Guess: Both KK and Keener believe Cinda is the murderer for this episode, noting her jealousy and cold demeanor (03:58).
  • Keener: “She was my very first suspect this season…I felt she was jealous of the trio and their podcast’s success.” (04:25)
  • Both cite show clues such as “Only Murders in the Building” being mimicked as "Only Murr-hers in the Building," and Cinda’s mean behavior toward Poppy.
• Siddhartha Khosla's poker face: Sid refuses to confirm or deny any theories, maintaining neutrality throughout.

2. The Music of Only Murders (with Siddhartha Khosla)

• Music as a cast member: The hosts and fans describe the score as the show's "fourth main character" (06:09).
• Opera Singer in Episode 9’s Ending: Khosla notes a favorite moment was using an opera singer for the suspenseful ending sequence, adding gravitas and tension (07:14).
  • Siddhartha Khosla: “It was like one of my favorite musical moments. You feel like you’re sort of given this wonderful opportunity to do something interesting and special… doesn’t ever feel like I have any rules on this show.” (07:34)
• Creative Process:
  • Writes music before seeing footage as well as to edited scenes (10:11)
  • Tone comes from collaboration between all show departments (writing, acting, cinematography, etc.)
  • Early work set the sonic foundation for the series.
  • Editors sometimes use his music as temp tracks; new ideas are tailored per episode.
• Evolution in Season 2:
  • More risk-taking and ambitious music, with more musicians and a “bigger” sound post-COVID restrictions (17:32).
  • Examples include atmospheric motifs for Mabel’s memories using heavy reverb and woodwinds (20:23).
  • Siddhartha Khosla: “Now I have 15 to 20 [musicians] that play on it. So when you have a live ensemble… there’s a chemistry there that I just love.” (18:24)
• Yodeling Questions: Peripheral involvement in “Yodel Shop” music; specialist yodelers brought in. Won’t spoil if yodeling returns in future episodes (13:53).
• Selena Gomez as Singer:
  • Mention that Mabel hums the show’s theme in the shower during the pilot (26:36).
  • A behind-the-scenes unused recording exists of Steve, Marty, and Selena practicing the theme, suggesting playful possibilities for future “musical” moments (29:47).

3. Audience Q&A Highlights

• Connecting Seasons: KK and Keener discuss how plot lines (like Oklahoma references, “the hoodie,” and Cinda’s stares) are hints, not always red herrings, but deliberate plants by writers (15:33).
• Writing for Casual vs. Hardcore Fans:
  • Kirker Butler: “We just trust the audience. We know even the casual viewers…are invested. For stuff carried over, Hulu gives us ‘previously on’ to help. But we trust the fans to follow, and they trust us for a satisfying conclusion.” (30:57)
  • Comedy and mystery both are central, but the mystery arc is the core focus; heavy-lifting done by talented comedic actors (33:24).
• Favorite Character to Write For:
  • Kirker loves writing for Steve Martin, describing it as a surreal and gratifying experience (33:57).
  • Anecdote about having a Steve Martin poster in his bathroom for 10 years; blending surreal fan moments with professional ones (34:55).
  • Writing “Angel in Flip Flops” with Steve Martin, including fun back-and-forths about the lyrics and Steve’s creative input (“pitta patta”), with the song now available as a standalone single (37:04, 38:11).
• Music Composition Approach:
  • Sid starts with melody, inspired by his background as a songwriter. Arrangements and orchestration follow (49:10).
  • Most themes are based on singable, simple melodies he writes on piano or hums aloud (49:45).
• No Elevator Music in the Arconia?
  • Deliberate choice; the first elevator scene relied on physical comedy and ambient sounds instead of music for comedic effect (50:47, 52:30).
  • Sid wrote an elevator theme but it was scrapped to avoid being locked into it and overshadowing key comedic scenes.

4. Creative Process & Streaming Flexibility

• Flexible runtimes: Streaming allows longer or shorter episodes, benefiting the pacing and creativity (41:55).
  • Kirker Butler: “It’s so nice to have the flexibility to tell a 40-minute story… the finale was close to 40 minutes. I don’t feel like it’s a restraint at all.” (41:55)
  • Both stress that this creative freedom leads to a domino effect, making all departments more experimental (43:00).
• Swearing On Streaming: Allowed, creating comedic and musical moments even around expletives. Khosla reveals he’s scored scenes specifically to accentuate swear words (44:32).
• Collaborative Reunion: Sid and Kirker reminisce about working together on “The Neighbors” and creating a Bollywood musical number for that sitcom (46:00).

5. Fandom Appreciation & Engagement

• Kirker Butler: “Thanks to all the Redditors… you’ve made us up our game. We see the boards and we’re like, oh, they’re really paying attention.” (55:55)
• Regular visits to the subreddit by Kirker, finding fan theories both insightful and inspiring.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Siddhartha Khosla on Music’s Role:
  “It’s a good thing you can’t see my icon… The best poker face.” (04:42)
  “I don’t ever feel like I have any rules on this show… just, that’s OK, you can be a little weird.” (07:34)
• Kirker Butler on Writing For Steve Martin:
  “Anything I can write for Steve that he delivers, and is funny and I can tell that he thinks it’s funny… it’s like a nice warm pat on the head from your favorite uncle. It’s so delightful.” (33:57)
• On Streaming vs. Network TV:
  Kirker Butler: “Thank God we can swear, because what would Michael Rappaport do if we couldn’t swear?” (44:04)
• Composer’s Process:
  “As a songwriter, melody has always been my guide…All the themes are based around singular melodic concepts.” (49:10)
• Fan Engagement:
  Kirker Butler: “You all gave us so much more credit for being smart than we deserved. But it was really gratifying.” (24:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Housekeeping: [00:12–02:23]
• Whodunit Summit & Theories: [02:35–05:45]
• Sid Khosla on Musical Approach: [06:12–14:54]
• Yodeling & Episode Easter Eggs: [12:33, 13:47]
• Writing, Editing, Season 2 Changes: [17:32–21:36]
• Q&A: Favorite Characters, “Angel in Flip Flops” Song: [33:57, 35:09]
• Runtimes & Streaming vs. Network Freedom: [41:42–44:09]
• Fan Questions on Music Composition: [49:10]
• No Elevator Music? Decision Explained: [50:47–52:30]
• Episode Close: Gratitude to Redditors/Fans: [55:39–56:41]

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is playful and candid, blending hearty banter with genuine appreciation for the show’s loyal fandom. Both creators and fans display a deep love of detail and artistry. Sid and Kirker avoid spoilers but offer thoughtful, sometimes technical answers, keeping the discussion lively and celebratory of the show’s layers and community.
Atmosphere: Engaged, witty, warmly self-aware, full of inside jokes and affection for both the series and its fandom.

Useful Links & Extras Mentioned

• “Angel in Flip Flops” available as a single on Spotify, Amazon, Tidal
• Official Season 2 score soundtrack now released
• Hulu’s Only Murders "ambient rooms" with music and set visuals on YouTube

For Listeners

If you missed the episode, this bonus live talk serves as both a rich recap and a masterclass in TV storytelling and scoring. It’s loaded with insights, industry anecdotes, and subtle hints—perfect for both the casual viewer and the Reddit-level sleuth.