Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

Episode: S3 E8: Sitzprobe (Part 2)

Release Date: September 22, 2023
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton (“Howard”), Maggie Bowles, Ryan Tillotson
Guest: John Hoffman (Co-creator and showrunner)

Episode Overview

In this behind-the-scenes delight, hosts Maggie Bowles and Ryan Tillotson, joined by showrunner John Hoffman, break down Episode 8 of Only Murders in the Building Season 3, “Sitzprobe (Part 2).” The trio explores the mysteries and emotional pivots of the episode, dives into performance stories (including a show-stopping number by Steve Martin), Meryl Streep’s favorite lyric, casting synchronicities, and an array of fan theories. The hosts lovingly dissect clues, hidden details, and clever callbacks designed to keep even the most vigilant armchair detectives on their toes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Show-Stopping Song and Steve Martin’s Performance

• Steve Martin’s “Pickwick Triplets” Song:

  • Hoffman raves about the filming process, noting Steve’s initial concern about shooting the number in parts but ultimately nailing multiple takes in spectacular fashion.
  • “One of the most bravura things I’ve seen him do…he so beautifully nailed that moment.” – John Hoffman (01:07)
  • Meryl Streep and Martin Short apparently watched from the audience, cheering Steve on.

• Plans for the Song:

  • A special video version of the song is set to be released, potentially for TikTok challenges—letting fans attempt the tongue-twisting lyrics (02:45).

Meryl Streep’s Favorite Lyric

• Meryl Streep’s pick:
  • “A diaper full of criminal intent.” – Hoffman, echoing Streep’s praise (03:05)
  • The hosts and Hoffman then play around with more triplet lyrics, illustrating the song’s wit.

The Uncanny Dickie-Loretta Resemblance and Casting Synchronicity

• Connection Between Dickie and Loretta:
  • Hosts note how, in retrospect, the fact that Dickie (Jeremy Shamos) looks so much like Loretta (Meryl Streep) seems obvious and almost magical (04:05–06:50).
  • “Jeremy Shamus…knocked it out of the park. In that audition was only when I was realizing, oh my God, look at him in profile, look at him in skin tone, look at him in the eyes.” – John Hoffman (05:40)
  • Hoffman compares the casting “fairy dust” to the perfect pairing of James Caverly and Nathan Lane.

Return of Beloved Characters

• Detective Williams’ Entrance:
  • “My wish was to give her an unbelievable entrance…no one carries what she carries into scenes like that.” – Hoffman on casting Da’Vine Joy Randolph (07:43)
  • Jane Houdyshell also returned as Bunny; the show’s revolving door of surprise appearances keeps both cast and audience guessing.

The Weighted Blanket Ruse and GoPro Antics

• Comic Relief in Detective Trickery:
  • The weighted blanket scene—with Charles acting hopeless on stage—was intentionally prolonged for laughs before its narrative payoff (09:08–10:54).
  • “Just hang with us for a minute through this dumb, dumb scene about a weighted blanket. But it makes me very happy to sort of pay that off that way.” – Hoffman (09:30)
  • Steve Martin probably knows how to use a GoPro; Martin Short, less so.

Hiding Visual Clues and Chekhov’s Paper Shredder

• Filmmaking Process:

  • Directors often don’t know the purpose of shots, but Hoffman signals what’s important (11:53).
  • The paper shredder is called out as a clear clue from earlier episodes that eventually pays off.
  • Episode 8 contains several such visual clues that will bear fruit in the next two episodes.

• Dropped (or Refashioned) Scenes:

  • Originally, a shot of Loretta distracted by Dickie at the table read was to be mirrored back to Episode 1 for extra context, but was cut for clarity and pacing (13:52–14:33).

The Character of Loretta (Meryl Streep)

• Loretta’s Trajectory and Performance:
  • “It seems so preposterous…that she’s taking part in our beautiful show.” – Hoffman on working with Streep (15:13)
  • This episode is described as a “crux”—pivotal for both the season’s plot and Loretta’s performance arc.
  • The scene with Loretta (Streep) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) is highlighted for its humor:
    • “I’m just going to toss out a name—Bobo. Do we really know Bobo?” – Hoffman, recalling Streep’s delivery (16:51)
  • Loretta’s false confession and emotional aria are “operatic” and grand, fitting the episode’s orchestral theme (18:01–19:07).

Who Killed Ben? (And "Accusation Station")

• Debates on Loretta’s Confession:
  • The hosts (and listeners) don’t buy Loretta’s confession and speculate she’s taking the fall for someone else (19:53–20:02).
  • Hoffman affirms the season is designed to allow viewers to develop plausible hunches, not to have all answers hidden behind impossible clues (20:02–20:47).

Open Mysteries and Ongoing Clues

• Unresolved Questions:
  • Who Ben was talking to in the dressing room remains an open thread, with Hoffman confirming the writers anticipated all top fan theories (21:25–22:44).
  • Other clues revisited: the “hanky,” Tobert’s video camera, the paper shredder, and various motives.

Fan Theories, Listener Insights & Wild Clues

(23:16–37:10)

Listener Observations and Theorizing

• Donna Throwing Up:
  • Speculative importance; is it nerves or something more? (23:25–23:43)
• Loretta’s Confession:
  • Reiterated disbelief from hosts and listeners.
• Shakespeare & Chicago Musical References:
  • Email listener Beverly draws parallels between the show and Chicago/Shakespeare, references to Bob Fosse, “Razzle Dazzle,” “Mr. Cellophane,” and hidden hints about character identities (24:04–25:49).
• Richard/Richard II/Dickie Connections:
  • Two spellings of Dickie on IMDb noted as possibly meaningful.
• Other Theories:
  • Ben’s blood work may have been tampered with; Dickie might be covering evidence.
  • Loretta’s limp (as referenced in her “Grey’s Anatomy” audition) as a recurring detail.
  • Tobert’s suspicious cash (“all those 50s”), possibly implicating a cash source or scheme involving Cinda.

Reddit Roundup

• Top Suspects:

  • Subreddit trends point toward male suspects: Dickie, Tobert, Cliff.
  • Hypotheses include secret schemes, fake deaths, accidental falls, and multiple culprits—many suspicious of Tobert’s connection to Cinda and the possibility of a True Crime podcast plot-within-a-plot (32:29–34:53).

• Wild Clue of the Week:

  • Listener discovers a historical newspaper article from August 29, 1902 (which matches a “Greg the Stalker” ID badge number), detailing a girl who was found already dead after falling down an elevator shaft—while in the care of a Dr. C. The date matches the release date of S3E5 ("Dr. C"’s first appearance) and took place near the Belnord/Arconia (35:07–36:40).
  • Hosts are floored: “Crazy sleuthing, that is. I love it.” – Maggie Bowles (37:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A diaper full of criminal intent.” – Meryl Streep’s favorite lyric; echoed by John Hoffman (03:05)
• “Just hang with us for a minute through this dumb, dumb scene about a weighted blanket…but it makes me very happy to sort of pay that off that way.” – John Hoffman (09:30)
• “It seems so preposterous to me that, first of all, that she’s taking part in our beautiful show, and I still can’t believe it…” – John Hoffman on Meryl Streep (15:13)
• “I don’t know what to root for anymore. I don’t know if I like this person or if I should like this person.” – John Hoffman, on Loretta’s conflicting motives (19:40)
• “I did it. I killed Ben. I couldn’t. Poison in his disgusting protein drink just before he went on stage opening night. And then when that didn’t work...I pushed him down the elevator shaft.” – Maggie Bowles reading within the episode's context (18:48)
• “If you haven’t jumped into the Only Murders Hulu subreddit, please do. It’s wild in there.” – Ryan Tillotson (31:40)
• “Crazy sleuthing, that is. I love it.” – Maggie Bowles (37:05)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• Steve Martin’s Song & Filming: 01:07–03:00
• Discussion of Favorite Lyric: 03:05
• Dickie-Loretta Casting Story: 04:05–06:55
• Detective Williams’ Return: 07:43–08:26
• Weighted Blanket Ruse: 09:08–10:54
• Paper Shredder & Visual Clues: 11:53–13:56
• Editing Loretta’s Scene: 13:52–14:33
• Loretta’s “Operatic” Confession: 18:01–19:08
• Accusation Station & Fan Theories: 23:16–37:10
• Redditories, Wild Historical Clue: 35:07–36:40

Tone & Style

The episode is witty, warm, and highly engaging—bouncing between reverent behind-the-scenes revelations, deadpan humor, fan service, and genuine awe at both performers’ talents and the sleuthing prowess of listeners.

Takeaway

This episode highlights the intricate craftsmanship of Only Murders in the Building, both in storytelling and production. It reveals how clues are layered visually and narratively, how casting magic sometimes happens unexpectedly, and how the fandom’s wildest theories are both anticipated and cherished by the creators. With emotional beats ranging from comic relief to operatic heartbreak, the show (and the podcast) invites its community to solve the mystery side by side with the Arconia’s lovably odd detectives.

Next: Episode 9 breakdown coming soon — with more fan theories, more clues, and inevitably, more musical mischief.

Send your theories in—Accusation Station needs more passengers!