Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S3 E10: Opening Night (Part 3)

Date: October 11, 2023
Hosts: Maggie Bowles & Ryan Tillotson
Key Guests: John Hoffman (Showrunner/Co-creator), Ben Smith (Co-writer, Ep. 10), Editors Shelly Westerman & Peyton Koch, Costume Designer Dana Covarrubius, Production Designer Patrick Howe

Overview

This lively behind-the-scenes episode dives into the climactic events and emotional fallout of the Season 3 finale, focusing on Saz’s (Jane Lynch) shocking death and the staging of Oliver Putnam’s musical, Death Rattle Dazzle. Hosts Maggie and Ryan are joined by key creatives and fans, examining storytelling choices, production secrets, and sharing wild theories for Season 4—including who may have killed Saz. The tone throughout is witty, self-aware, and deeply affectionate towards the show’s community.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Death of Saz: Story Impacts & Hidden Clues

(00:57–11:24)

• Why Saz?

  • John Hoffman reveals the choice was meant to push the narrative and emotional depth for the trio:

    “Szasz is a truly beloved character. And, you know, it just opened up a wild array of possibilities for all of us to imagine. Like, wow, that would be very resonant for this trio in this moment...” (06:32)

  • Killing Saz had more emotional weight than past victims, bringing fresh stakes.

• Foreshadowing Saz’s Fate:

  • Saz had suspicious moments seeded in earlier episodes—e.g., picking up ominous chatter on her ham radio (02:56) and ominously wanting to discuss something “a little sensitive” with Charles in Ep. 10 (03:07).
  • Maggie wonders aloud: “Maybe whoever killed Saz has been after Charles for longer than we know.” (03:21)

• Subconscious Self-Reference?

  • The scene where it appears Charles could be the victim hints at audience fears about Steve Martin possibly retiring.

    “We’ve been in our emails, we get people talking about like, ‘Steve Martin’s going to retire, he doesn’t want to do another season...’” (07:01)

• Audience Response:

  • The hosts admit to being outsmarted by some fans:

    “Some of them are so smart.” (09:04)

  • Writers consciously try to remain “meta” but avoid repeating themselves, aiming to make each murder feel “fresh and new and impactful.” (Ben Smith, 09:24–10:58)

2. Death Rattle Dazzle: Costuming & Set Design Magic

(12:49–20:59)

• Editing Musicals for TV:

  • Editors Shelly Westerman and Peyton Koch bemoan cutting down “Creatures of the Night,” with comfort that full versions will be available on YouTube:

    “They’re the most gorgeous things you’ve ever seen. They are stunning.” (13:51)

• Costume Design (Dana Covarrubius):

  • Dana’s “magpie” persona and lifelong love of sequins fully influences the show’s glitzy Broadway look:

    “If I see sparkles, if I see sequins—I am. It’s gotta be mine.” (14:23)

  • The costumes for the original “Death Rattle” play were rooted in 1940s Nova Scotia noir, before they were “bedazzled” for “Dazzle”:

    “We really just take the original concepts for the Death Rattle play, straight play, and just bedazzle the hell out of them.” (17:29)

• Set Design (Patrick Howe):

  • Patrick describes the challenge of creating sets for a fictional musical with no script, just writers’ wishes:

    “I didn’t have any score to listen to... Not—I mean, at the end of season two... there wasn’t even a title of a play!” (18:42)

  • The result: a whimsical, stormy Nova Scotia lighthouse environment, designed on “speculative bullets” from John Hoffman.

3. Fan Theories & Season 4 Speculation

Accusation Station: Listeners’ Theories (21:23–37:00)

• Fan Hypotheses on Who Killed Saz:

  • Scott Bakula is a favorite—a running long-form joke about his off-screen presence as Charles’ rival:

    “Mark my words, the killer in season four will be Scott Bakula. He has a grudge against Charles Hayden Savage...” (36:17, voice memo)

  • Jan returns as a suspect—many imagine her orchestrating revenge, possibly with a new “psychotic secret admirer.”
  • Howard as secret villain—some argue his Broadway ambitions (thwarted by Charles) could make him snap:

    “Is that what drives a man like Howard to murder?” (32:12, after fan voicemail)

• Notable Theories from Reddit:

  • Emma (Lucy’s mom)’s new husband hires a hitman, hoping to benefit from Charles changing his will. (25:44)
  • A stray bullet meant for someone else hits Saz, who might have been trying to write a dying clue on the floor. (26:39)
  • Saz is only “maybe” dead—could Jane Lynch return more than expected?

• Listener Engagment:

  • Multiple shoutouts to email and Reddit contributors—props for cake photos, costume questions, and deeply detailed theorizing.

4. Hilarious, Memorable Moments & Running Gags

• The “Scott Bakula” Bit:

  • Both hosts and John Hoffman take joy in the absurdity of Bakula’s recurring mention, stemming back to an early misunderstanding in Season 1:

    “Bacula was part of maybe the, one of the first conversations that Charles and Oliver ever had in our television show.” (05:44, John Hoffman)

  • Maggie finds out Scott Bakula’s mother’s maiden name is “Zumwinkle,” prompting a delighted digression:

    “There may be a world where we might see Scott... I went right to his mother’s maiden name was Zumwinkle.” (04:44, 05:04)

• Self-Referential/Meta Humor:

  • Hosts poke fun at their own lack of detective prowess versus eagle-eyed fans.
  • Playful, extended discussion about whether Joy (Charles’ ex) is “a witch” and could have “put Scott Bakula under a spell” to do her bidding. (22:23)

5. Emotional Notes & Crew Appreciation

(20:59–21:23)

• Deep gratitude is expressed for the show’s creative team—editors, designers, writers, and the community itself:

  “There’s so much great stuff that we couldn’t even include... we’ve absolutely loved talking to all of the talented and hardworking crew that made Season 3... a smash hit.” (20:59, Maggie)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Szasz is a truly beloved character. And, you know, it just opened up a wild array of possibilities for all of us to imagine...”
  — John Hoffman (06:32)

• “Some of them are so smart. Hear that, listeners? We admit you are smarter than us. We are in awe. We love you.”
  — Maggie Bowles (09:06)

• “If I see sparkles, if I see sequins—I am. It’s gotta be mine.”
  — Dana Covarrubius, Costume Designer (14:23)

• “I didn’t have any score to listen to... at the end of season two… there wasn’t even a title of a play!”
  — Patrick Howe, Production Designer (18:42)

• “Is that what drives a man like Howard to murder?”
  — Maggie Bowles (32:12)

• “Mark my words, the killer in season four will be Scott Bakula.”
  — Listener voice memo (36:17)

Segment Timestamps

• Opening, Intro Guests & Saz Discussion: 00:02–08:15
• Theories about Saz’s Death & Scripting: 08:15–11:24
• Musical Editing, Costumes, Production: 12:49–20:59
• Listener Theory Reading & Accusation Station: 21:23–37:00
• Fan Voice Memos (Theory Time): 30:37–36:47
• Wrap-Up & Crew Appreciation: 37:00–End

Final Thoughts

The episode is a wild mix of affectionate in-jokes, earnest appreciation for the show’s creative effort, and lively speculation from a deeply engaged fanbase. There’s palpable excitement for where the show will go in Season 4, especially with the mystery of Saz’s death and the fun of recurring gags (Scott Bakula’s shadow looms large). The behind-the-scenes content offers genuine insight, while the hosts’ banter and community engagement set a friendly, conspiratorial tone.

If you’re catching up for Season 4, this podcast delivers both laughs and clues!