S4 E4: The Stunt Man (Part 2)

Summary

Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

S4 E4: The Stunt Man (Part 2)

Hosted by Hulu, Michael Cyril Creighton
Date: September 20, 2024

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Episode Overview

This episode of the Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast is a lively, behind-the-scenes exploration of Season 4, Episode 4, "The Stunt Man." Hosts Maggie Bowles and Ryan Tillotson continue their weekly deep-dives by chatting with cast members Jane Lynch (Saz) and Michael Cyril Crichton (Howard), plus showrunner John Hoffman. The conversations unpack hidden details, character development, stunt work on-set, animal costars, and fan theories—providing fans with a unique window into the making of the show’s latest murder mystery.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Glenn Stubbins’ Irish Accent and Paul Rudd’s Performance

[01:14 – 04:12]

• The hosts recall that Glenn Stubbins’ (Paul Rudd) Irish accent was actually Rudd’s own idea. The reactions range from finding the accent questionable (“I was like, this isn’t a real Irish accent,” Maggie, [01:35]) to ultimately loving his comedic performance.
• John Hoffman reveals Rudd’s dedication to the accent:

  “He kept on checking himself. He was working on that Irish accent for the longest time..." ([02:20])

• Rudd, after working on a film in Ireland, wanted to redo his ADR because he improved his accent, but due to timing it was left as-is for comedic effect.

2. Auditioning as Yourself: Michael Cyril Crichton on Howard

[04:17 – 07:28]

• Michael discusses Howard auditioning to play himself in the movie within the show. Instead of casting Josh Gad, Crichton jokes he’d rather see Melanie Lynskey playing Howard in a meta twist.

  “I would have Melanie Lynskey wear a beard...just magical realism.” (Crichton, [04:36])

• For his own audition scene, Michael played it “naturalistically, quote, unquote, as Howard would,” then asked to try “Howard’s idea of naturalistic acting,” which the show used.
• On his transformation:

  “I put on the glasses. The socks and the glasses... There’s also a secret necklace and rings with names on them—Evelyn, Seven, Gravy, Hammy.” (Crichton, [06:29])

• Costume secrets: Michael wears unseen jewelry and animal-themed socks to feel like Howard.

3. Animal Acting: Dogs and Pigs on Set

[07:48 – 13:48]

• Michael provides an affectionate and hilarious account of performing with Gravy the dog and Sprinkle the pig.
• On Gravy:

  “She looked kind of old...but she was such a pro. I was spoiled.” ([08:04])

• On Sprinkle the Pig: First day was also Zach Galifianakis’ first—Michael focused more on pig logistics than nerves.

  “It screams a lot. It’s a screamer.” (relaying Selena Gomez’s warning, [09:24]) “All I could think about was, is this pig going to land where it’s supposed to on the leash?” ([09:58]) “The pig did urinate all over me in the middle of the scene... Do I...say it’s worth it? I would say it was worth it because the scene is great, the pig is adorable.” ([11:24])

• The pig episode was challenging and emotionally draining (he admits he cried from the stress), but ultimately rewarding.

4. Jane Lynch (Saz Pataki) Joins the Conversation

[14:51 – 26:42]

Origin of Saz Pataki

• Jane Lynch shares that writer Kristin Newman pitched the role, and the concept of “Steve Martin’s stunt double” instantly sold her:

  “She had me at the name...I said, of course I would.” (Lynch, [15:04]) “Wasn’t on my bucket list for sure to play Steve Martin’s stunt double.” ([16:03])

Saz and Charles: Character Depth

• This season deepens Saz and Charles’ bond, revealing Saz’s unwavering loyalty and role as Charles’ emotional support system:

  “She lived for him, she lived to support him...he really respected her for that.” ([16:25])

• The show explores touching flashbacks:

  “Anything that he had in this life...that had anything to do with affection and camaraderie...was because of Saz.” ([18:10])

Saz as a ‘Ghost’ and Character Approach

• Lynch describes the emotional resonance of ghost scenes with Steve Martin:

  “It brought us both to tears sometimes how much this woman Saz was just there for him.” ([18:08])

• On getting into character:

  “Just putting on the hat and the glasses and I’m him…the hat and the glasses and the wig.” ([20:25])

Researching the Stunt Community

• Jane admits her knowledge comes mainly from the script and writers’ research—not personal study—but she learned about the close-knit world of stunt performers:

  “It’s a community...they all know each other...they’re very loyal to each other, and great respect for what each other does.” ([21:45])

Reaction to Saz’s Death

• On learning Saz would be killed:

  “As an actor...I was thrilled because I knew that the next season I would have a lot to do...who doesn’t want to be the murder victim?” ([24:26]) “Listen, this is a good thing. We’re going to kill you. What do you have to think about that?...Oh, it’s great.” ([25:03])

Will Fans Solve the Mystery?

• Lynch hints the puzzle is tough but fair:

  “There are twists and turns, like any good mystery...but nothing like, crazy. It all makes sense.” ([25:26]) “I think what [John Hoffman] does...is he starts at the end and then he reverse engineers.” ([25:41])

5. Showrunner & Stunt Team Insights

[22:56 – 23:55]

• John Hoffman describes the importance of real stunt performers’ input, calling out team leader Chris Barnes as critical in creating the show’s on-set stunt culture and realism.
• The creation of "Concussions," a bar for stunt people, is discussed as a fun and accurate detail from stunt folklore.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Michael Cyril Crichton on Costuming:

  “The socks and the glasses...there’s also a secret necklace that I wear. There’s actually a couple of secret pieces of jewelry that I wear this season that no one—I don’t think you’ll ever see them.” ([06:32])

• Jane Lynch on Saz’s Loyalty:

  “She lived for him, she lived to support him, she took care of him...maybe at times, it also kind of bugged him or annoyed him, but...he was as devoted to her as she was to him.” ([16:25])

• On Acting with Animals:

  “The pig did urinate all over me in the middle of the scene. And I was wearing some of my special socks...But...would I say it’s worth it? Because the scene is great, the pig is adorable.” (Michael Cyril Crichton, [11:24])

• Jane Lynch on Being Killed Off:

  “Listen, this is a good thing. We’re going to kill you. What do you have to think about that?...Oh, it’s great.” ([25:03])

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Fan Theories & Listener Mail

[27:15 – 31:28]

• Laura B. from Saskatoon suspects Dudenoff is the scratched-out person in the photo.
• K thinks Jan’s outside contact is Cinda Canning.
• Multiple subreddit contributors dissect the recurring “doubles” motif and speculate that perhaps Charles has unknown connections, or that Westies, Howard, or Bev Melon may be deeper players in the murder plot.
• A running suspicion toward Howard is discussed, with one fan questioning his movements relative to the pig’s escape and the building’s layout.
• Theories coalesce around the murder being tied to Charles’ past or someone jealous of his career.

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Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• Jane Lynch on being asked to play Steve Martin’s stunt double:
  “That’s just weird enough to sound right.” ([16:03])
• Michael Cyril Crichton’s pig misadventure:
  “The pig did urinate all over me in the middle of the scene...I did cry at the end of that day because the big screaming was very unnerving and I was covered in a gerund.” ([11:24])
• Jane Lynch on being the murder victim:
  “I was very flattered that he chose me to be the murder victim.” ([25:00])

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Important Timestamps

• Glenn Stubbins accent discussion: [01:14 – 04:12]
• Michael Cyril Crichton on Howard and animal acting: [04:17 – 13:48]
• Jane Lynch on Saz: [14:51 – 26:42]
• Stunt team discussion: [22:56 – 23:55]
• Listener theories: [27:15 – 31:28]

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Conclusion

This episode balances silly on-set stories (including animal chaos and costuming secrets) with heartfelt reflections from the cast on their characters’ relationships, the intricacies behind Saz’s arc, and the deep thought invested in each mystery. Jane Lynch’s warmth and wit shine as she describes her journey playing Saz, while Michael Cyril Crichton provides comic relief with animal anecdotes and Howard’s hidden wardrobe. The closing segment collects and scrutinizes fans’ cleverest guesses and Reddit speculation, keeping the series’ tradition of audience engagement alive as viewers race to solve the season’s whodunit.

Transcript

[Maggie Bowles]

Straw Hut Media.

[Ryan Tillotson]

So John told you with excitement. He did.

[Jane Lynch]

Okay, well, it was kind of like, you know, he's like the nicest guy in the world. Listen, this is a good thing. We're going to kill you. What do you think about that? And I was like, oh, it's great.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

It's great.

[Maggie Bowles]

Hello, and welcome back to the Only Murders in the Building podcast. I'm Maggie Bowles.

[Ryan Tillotson]

And I'm Ryan Tillotson.

[Maggie Bowles]

And we are looking behind the scenes and mining for clues as we meet the cast and creators of the Hulu original series, Only Murders in the Building.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Today on the show, we are continuing our conversations all about season four, episode four, the Stuntman. If you haven't seen episode four or if you haven't listened to part one of this week's podcast, go do both

[Maggie Bowles]

those things first, because today we're talking to the one, the only, Jane Lynch. Jane lynch is here. So we'll hear about how her character was first pitched to her all those years ago and how sass has changed over the seasons.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We'll also talk with Michael Cyril Crichton about Howard's secret wardrobe this season and what it is like acting with a pig and a dog.

[Maggie Bowles]

Last episode, we learned from Madeline George that Glenn Stubbins accent, his Irish accent was actually Paul Rudd's idea. And when we talked to John Hoffman, showrunner co creator, he wanted to know how that landed with us. Here's John.

[John Hoffman]

How was that for you? I'm dying to know. Yes. How was that for you? I like. Was it like, are you kidding me at first? What was your reaction?

[Maggie Bowles]

What's funny is when the, when the Irish accent comes out in the beginning, I'm like, this is a bad Irish accent. I was like, this isn't a real Irish accent. And I was like, who the heck is talking? And then when you see him and his name is Glenn Stubbins.

[Jane Lynch]

Glenn Stubbins.

[Maggie Bowles]

Glenn Stubbins.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

I love it.

[Maggie Bowles]

I loved it, too. I thought it was hilarious.

[Ryan Tillotson]

He rolled out. I'm like, who is that? And then you see his Paul Rudd and you're like, is he.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

Is he.

[Jane Lynch]

Is.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Is Ben back? And that was so. Yeah, no, I.

[Maggie Bowles]

And I love his scene outside where he's showing off and doing all of his trunks. He does like a cannonball into the left, into the trash can and hits himself in the face with the trash can lid. I loved it. I was 100% here for it.

[John Hoffman]

Oh, I love that. Yeah, he's. He's. He kept on checking himself. He was working on that Irish accent for the longest time and.

[Maggie Bowles]

Sorry, Paul.

[John Hoffman]

I know, I know. And I'm like, well, Paul, it doesn't need to be. You know, this whole thing is so insane, what's happening here. And you've been Americanized for working. You're in America for a long time. So it can be this totally, you know, mashup.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

A movie set is filled with egomaniacs, But a good stunt double must set the ego aside and just be a maniac.

[John Hoffman]

It's so funny because he saw this episode recently and he was like, okay, I've got to redo the opening narration. And I'm like, no, it's so good. And he's like, but no, I. In between, when he finished this job, he went and made a film with John Carney in Ireland.

[Ryan Tillotson]

So now he's got it.

[John Hoffman]

For months, he was sitting there hearing how he should have been saying things. So he came back, and I'm like, oh, no. Now he wants to redo the narration. I'm like, paul, there's no time that show airs. We can't. International has dubbed it 400 Ways and blah, blah. So. But I felt terrible about it because he was like, it's just the opening narration. The other stuff can sound ridiculous. I don't care. But I'm like, it's perfect. It wants to be sitting in this lane just as you described it, Maggie. Like, wait a minute. You just want to hear, you know, like, who.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Who?

[John Hoffman]

What is that? But you didn't think it was Paul, right?

[Maggie Bowles]

You. I did not think it was Paul.

[Ryan Tillotson]

No. Not at all.

[John Hoffman]

Critical.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah, Critical. Not at all.

[John Hoffman]

I'm happy to hear that.

[Ryan Tillotson]

So, Mag, do you think there was a big improvement between the accident in the scenes and the accent in the opening narration?

[Maggie Bowles]

You know, right now I just feel bad for saying it was a bad accent. I feel guilty.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Could you do it better? Absolutely not if you were cast in a film.

[Maggie Bowles]

Even if I were cast in a film. But speaking of casting a film, let's now go over to Michael Searle Crichton, because in this episode, Howard auditions to play himself. My first question to you, Michael, is who would you cast as Howard in the only Murders movie? And would it be Josh Gad? Or do you have a. Do you have a different idea?

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

It would. No, no. Shade. It would not be Josh Gad. I would cast. I would have Melanie Lynskey wear a beard. Oh, my God. Make no, you know, say about it. That's just. Just magical realism. And I would have Melanie Lynskey play

[Maggie Bowles]

Howard, that's so much better than anything I could have imagined.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

Oh, good. I hope it's not offensive to her as I say it in, like, the most. She is, like, my all time favorite. Ever since I saw Heavenly Creatures, I have been in love with her. I've met her. I've met her once, I believe, and she's the nicest person. And I just love her as an actor. She has so much heart and, like, soul, and what a dream that would be.

[Maggie Bowles]

I agree. Everything I see her in, I love her in.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah. Wow. This is great.

[Maggie Bowles]

I love that. I love that casting.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Melanie, if you're listening, they're making a movie.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

I'm Howard Morris. Tim Kono. I'm gonna start again. I'm Howard Morris. Tim Kono complained a lot about Evelyn. He said she gave him asthma attacks. He threatened to shoot her. Evelyn may have had nine lives, but I cut his one short. We auditioned and I auditioned for Howard as Howard. Pretty natural, naturalistically, quote, unquote, as. As Howard would. And then, like, at one point I was like, john, can we just try one where Howard does a version of what he thinks naturalistic acting is like his, like, sort of indie movie acting. And that's what they used, which I love. But, yeah, I don't know that. I feel like we never have seen the true Howard yet. Maybe the closest we've come to that is in when we're in his apartment.

[Ryan Tillotson]

But, yeah, we were just curious. We were talking. We put these out of these questions. We were curious, is there something that you do? You're like, I. I am now, Howard. And you get into Howard, and you

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

go, yeah, I put on the glasses.

[Ryan Tillotson]

That does it.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

The socks and the glasses. And there's also a little secret necklace that I wear. There's actually a couple of secret pieces of jewelry that I wear this season that no one. I don't think you'll ever see them. But. So last season, we introduced this necklace that said Evelyn on it, and it was a cat with wings. So I would wear that under my clothes. And then this season, we started wearing these rings that say, no matter what, if I do an interview, there's gonna be a thousand alarms. I'm so sorry. Every single, every single time. Okay. So then we also introduced this season these rings that are script. And one says. One says Evelyn, one says seven. And then we added a gravy one. And then I think there was a hammy one, too. So I ended up having, like, five rings on one of my fingers during one of the episodes. But we never make. We never mention it. But really, like always, it's the glasses that does it.

[Ryan Tillotson]

That puts. It makes you feel like, okay, wait, who's making the rings?

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

I think the costume designer and the associate, Dana and Abby, are just, like. They got these rings for me and their team.

[Maggie Bowles]

I love it.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

They just, like, love Howard Little Howard's secrets. Like, I have all these secret socks with different animals on them that you never see, but I'm always wearing.

[Ryan Tillotson]

I love it.

[Maggie Bowles]

That's great.

[Ryan Tillotson]

It seems that you're always. Howard is always. You know, there's a new animal involved of some kind. And this season you have quite a few, actually. Let's first start with Gravy, like you mentioned. Tell us about Gravy.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

So Gravy was an actress named Molly. She was a. I think she's 2012. She was such a pro. First of all, let me say about all the animals, because I will have opinions about each of them. And they're all amazing. They're all amazing, but they are animals, you know? So what I will say is their handlers and their owners and everybody with the. I guess the ASPCA or whoever's there to make sure I'm okay with them. They're okay with me. All of those people were incredible. And I want to give that disclaimer because they were just on top of it. Like, all these animals have a bigger entourage than I will ever have. And this guy Brian, Brian was the handler, and he was put in so many ridiculous situations. It was like, Brian, stand on the island in the kitchen and hold that little piece of meat up so that the dog looks over here. It felt like it was always very precarious. But Gravy was incredible. I couldn't believe that dog did all of the things that she needed to do. I mean. Cause she looked kind of old, and she was incredibly sweet and gentle. So I was like, how are we going to get her to walk in circles? How are we going to get her to scratch on that door? But she was a pro, so I was spoiled with Gravy. I will say.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Okay. Okay. And then that was before you met the pigs?

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

Yes, that's when Sprinkle entered the scene.

[Maggie Bowles]

Sprinkle's the pig.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

Sprinkle is the pig. So the first time I met Sprinkle, I was. I had seen Selina first in the green room, or that we're in holding. And she said, have you met the pig yet? And I said, no. And she goes, it screams a lot. It's a screamer. It's like, you know. You know how pigs, like, squeal? Oh, yeah, they really do. That's not like, just like, oh, when pigs squeal, or like they squeal so loud. Not like if they're. It's just. They just do. That's the noise they make when they're excited sound or.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Or like, what?

[Maggie Bowles]

Just living.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

It's like, yeah, and it's. I guess it's an excited sound, but it's more like, to me, it sounds like a child screaming. So. The first time I met the pig was also my first day acting with Zach Galifianakis. So I had no. I couldn't even get nervous about that because all I could think about was, is this pig going to land where it's supposed to on the leash?

[Ryan Tillotson]

Oh, no.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

And my pockets were full of peanuts because the pig likes peanuts. So I would like, you know, you drop a peanut and then it would follow you. But she was really great and really, really incredibly cute. And like, how lucky am I that I get to act with this adorable pig? And then there's the scene in this episode. So that was in episode three, right? In episode three, the pig's on a leash a lot. So she's like, very, you know, guided and whatnot. And episode four, I'm in a bed with the pig. We're here with Hammy Faye now. Hammy Faye, it's true that most pigs can hunt for truffles, but is it also true that if trained properly, they can also be golf caddies? The bed was like, I feel like 100ft off the ground. I feel like the pig and I were both afraid of heights. The pig's owner. The pig needed to be near its owner. It was very, you know, it had these two lovely owners and it was attached to them, and it was felt safe if they were nearby. So the pig's owner would lay under the bed while the pig and I were on top of the bed. And every now and then the pig, I guess, is. It's comforting thing, was to have its belly scratched with a fork, which I never did because it was just too much for me. But, you know, every now and then a little arm would, like, come up from the bed and hand me a fork and be like, it likes when its belly scratched or whatever. So I love that scene. I think it came out so great. It was challenging because it's just. It's an animal, so it's hard to be like, can you have the pig looking this way? No, I can't. Can you make sure. The pig is doing this. No, it's a pig. The pig did get excited. The pig was screaming like a child. And then the pig did urinate all over me in the middle of the scene. And I was wearing some of my special socks, which we only had one pair of, so we had to, like, hand wash them and blow dry them. But, you know, that was. Do I. Would I say it's worth it? I would say it was worth it because the scene is great. The pig is adorable. It wasn't its fault. I mean, it's just a pig. It's just being a pig. But it was challenging. It lived up to its name. It's the sprinkle. You know, it's. When I read I was going to act with a pig, I thought it was like this because initially I was supposed to be carrying this pig around in a. Like a little satchel on. On me. Like a baby born.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

But the pig is like 30, 25, 30 pounds. Like, that wasn't going to happen. And the pig was certainly not going to be, like, standing still in a baby born for me. But I thought it was gonna be like this tiny little pig that I could hold in my hands. It was not, but reiterating. Great actress, nice person, total professional. And her owners and the handlers and everybody were fantastic. I did cry at the end of that day because the big screaming was very unnerving and I was covered in a gerund.

[Ryan Tillotson]

It's gotta be so hard to focus, you know, with all the screaming.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

I mean, I'm someone who really likes to focus. I like very meticulous about what I think I'm going to do when I get to set. I mean, I'm free, but, like, you know, I have a way in my mind that I prepare. I'm very prepared. This was actually very good for me, these animals, this season, because I could not, you know, I had to be completely free and flexible because you can't plan what you're going to do when you're acting with an animal. But, yeah, I did cry because of the pig. I think it really jarred John Hoffman. He's like. He's never seen me, like, be like, oh, God, that was a lot. I'll do anything on that set. I love it so much. But the pig was a lot. And it wasn't the pig's fault. It was just overwhelming.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

Yeah, We.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We did talk to John. He did mention it.

[John Hoffman]

Yeah, We.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We had an.

[Maggie Bowles]

I.

[Jane Lynch]

We had.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We had an idea that there was some difficulty.

[Maggie Bowles]

Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

With the Pig.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

With the pig.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

Yeah. Sweet, sweet pig.

[Maggie Bowles]

Ryan, do you remember when we had a pig living on our block?

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yes, Yes, I. I remember seeing the man walk it around the street.

[Maggie Bowles]

His name was Albert. He started out so small, and then he got so big.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Huge.

[Maggie Bowles]

And then he disappeared. I hope he's not a halmoni Barico some way.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Maybe. After the break. Jane lynch, Welcome back. Today we have the distinct honor, the absolute pleasure, the amazing opportunity to talk to Jane lynch, who of course, plays Saz Pataky. This is our fourth year making this podcast, and we are just so thrilled to finally get a chance to talk to her and have her on the

[Maggie Bowles]

podcast before season one, who pitched you on the role of Saz Patakian? How did they describe it? What was that experience like?

[Jane Lynch]

Well, Kristin Newman. You know who she is. She's a writer.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We talked to her already.

[Maggie Bowles]

You just spoke to her.

[Jane Lynch]

Oh, did you? I rented her house when I was in between marriages, but I rented her house in West Hollywood, and I knew she was a writer and. And I liked her very much. We didn't know each other that well, but when we did have encounters, I was. I was very fond of her. I thought she was a great girl. And she emailed me and said, I'm working on this show with John Hoffman, and she and the writers created this character, Saz Pataki. I mean, she had me at the name and said, would you come out to New York and do it and play Steve Martin's stunt double? And I said, of course I would. So I was thrilled to get it. And I had no idea how fun this was going to be or how creative everybody would be and how wonderful Steve and Marty are and Selena. And so it's been a joy.

[Maggie Bowles]

When you heard Steve Martin's stunt double, did you go, yeah, that sounds right, or did you go,

[Jane Lynch]

that's just weird enough to sound right? Is what I said. Got wasn't on the bucket list for sure to play Steve Martin's stunt double.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Well, so we learn a lot about Saz and some background this season. I'm curious, could you just tell us, who is Saz Pataky?

[Jane Lynch]

What I loved about this season, and the writers are just so wonderful, is that they gave Saz and Charles such a deep, complex and affectionate relationship. We find out so much about them. How SZASZ viewed him, Charles, as her number one. She referred to him. He's number one on the call sheet. That's kind of a thing you, hey, number one's coming. Number one's on the set. But he literally was in her life, her number one. And she lived for him, she lived to support him, she took care of him. And he, you know, being the good guy that Charles is, he really respected her for that. Was a little puzzled by her devotion, but still, you know, really appreciated it because, I mean, look, Charles Hayden Savage doesn't have a lot of great friends. He's, you know, he's one of those guys that just expects. Expects the worst. He's a rainy day guy who, you know, the glass is half empty for him, and he doesn't expect this from other people. And, you know, Szasz just was, hey, man, I'm there for you. You're my number one. And, you know, maybe at times, it also kind of bugged him or annoyed him, but for the most part, he was deeply moved by it and was as devoted to her as she was to him.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Did things you learned this season change your approach at all to how you already envisioned Saz at all?

[Jane Lynch]

Yeah, well, it took it deeper. You know, there's an episode in the. The early episodes. I think it might be the second one where I show up as a ghost.

[Ryan Tillotson]

And

[Jane Lynch]

it was so. I mean, it was just. It brought us both to tears sometimes how. How much this woman says was just there for him, just. And they kind of relive their. Their relationship, and they tell old war stories. And in every story, it's Szasz pulling him out of the dumps. You know, nobody liked him on set. Nobody knew him. And she started a poker game that. Where all these guys came into his trailer to play poker every Thursday. And Charles would have never done that on his own, But Szasz was like, nope, we're all going in there. We're gonna. He's our friend, and we're gonna play poker with him. And so anything that he had in this life, like that had anything to do with affection and camaraderie and socialization was because of Saz, Because Saz was like, you're my number one. I take care of you.

[Maggie Bowles]

I love that.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah. I mean, speaking of, like, when you. In episode two, you're in it quite a bit with Amy Ryan.

[Jane Lynch]

What a weirdo. Isn't that the greatest character? I mean, just. And she's so wonderful.

[Ryan Tillotson]

I'm curious, like, during scenes like that, where only Charles can see. See you, is there a lot of. Do people find it. Is it hard to act with only, you know, you're only supposed to get reactions from one person. I imagine that's tough.

[Jane Lynch]

I loved it. Because I was just there for him. That's all. He was my. He's my world. I am there. I'm like Clarence to Jimmy Stewart, and it's a wonderful life. I exist only for him. And I loved that. And also, it meant I had less lines, so I did. I was. I could. I felt I was able to just. Just feel into a lot of what was going on. And I loved that. Just loved it. Yeah.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We spoke with Michael C. Crichton, who plays Howard.

[Maggie Bowles]

Oh.

[Jane Lynch]

Oh, my God.

[Maggie Bowles]

The best.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

Oh, my God.

[Jane Lynch]

I love him.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Us too. And he says. We asked him, like, what do you do to get into the role of Howard? And he says that he has special socks. He wears. He has a bracelet.

[Maggie Bowles]

I think he's got some rings. He had a necklace. Oh, and the glasses.

[Ryan Tillotson]

And the glasses. He said, oh, yeah. As soon as I put the glasses on, I'm Howard, and I'm curious if there is anything like that for you for Szas.

[Jane Lynch]

Oh, absolutely. The, you know, just putting on the hat and the glasses and I'm him.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

Before that, I'm kind of like a girl dressed like a boy. But once I put the hat and the glasses on and I wear a wig, too, but maybe you're not supposed to know that, but I wear a little gray wig underneath it, so my hair looks like Steve's. Yeah. As soon as I get those two things on, I am Saz. I walk differently. My point of view about the world is much cheerier and brighter than it is for me. You know, she's a very earnest, kind of guileless person, you know, and in the head and out the mouth kind of girl, too. She doesn't hold back, but it's never with malice. It's with absolute affection and. Yeah. And curiosity. She's just. She's curious about things and, you know, sometimes it's like, oh, my God, that hurt.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah.

[Maggie Bowles]

Yeah.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Well. And the curiosity got you into trouble, I think.

[Maggie Bowles]

Yeah, maybe. Well, it did.

[Jane Lynch]

I put my nose maybe where it

[Ryan Tillotson]

wasn't supposed to go. We'll see.

[Jane Lynch]

We'll see.

[Maggie Bowles]

We'll see. Prior to playing Zaz and this season, I guess. How much research into the world of stunt people have you done? Do you feel like you know a lot more about the. The job of a stunt person now than you did before? Are you still kind of.

[Jane Lynch]

Absolutely. And not because I did my research, but because, you know, the writers did. Absolutely. It's a whole world that we explore in this season. You know, we. We have. It's a community and I'm sure it is in Hollywood, too. It's a community of folks. They have their own bar. They all know each other, they all hire each other. Like Saz becomes stunt coordinator for movies, you know, after she works with. We'll see that in the. The course of the season after she works for Brazos. And, you know, she knows all the guys she know. Got. They're mostly guys, you know, she knows all of them, and they. They're really tight, and it's almost like they're in the army together, but they refer to their number ones, you know, my number one, blah, blah, blah. So even when she's not in Brazos, Charles is her number one. But, yeah, there's a whole world. There's a whole subculture, and it's very. They're very loyal to each other and great respect for what each other does.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah. I mean. Yeah, they put on a whole funeral for you in episode four. It was very beautiful. Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

I cannot wait to see that.

[Maggie Bowles]

Well, it's very good.

[Jane Lynch]

It's.

[Maggie Bowles]

You're in for a treat.

[John Hoffman]

Good.

[Jane Lynch]

Yeah.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We're having so much fun.

[Maggie Bowles]

We are.

[Jane Lynch]

Good, good, good.

[John Hoffman]

Oh, yeah, we dove deep, guys. We dove really deep.

[Ryan Tillotson]

No, this is, of course, co creator, showrunner John Hoffman.

[John Hoffman]

We did do a lot of research, actually. We did a lot of research on, you know, through our own stunt team. They're all fantastic. They've been with us from the beginning. And, you know, Chris Barnes. Chris Barnes is our stunt team leader, and he always sort of like, has great. He's been around a long time, and he has those great stories, so that lore and that bond of partnership and sort of loyalty that is within that world. And he was in our ears for all previous seasons and a bit here too. And, you know, as we started planning especially and then just having fun with things like what you see in episode four, which is the.

[Ryan Tillotson]

The stunt bar. Right. Was that the stuntman's concussions? Concussions.

[John Hoffman]

Concussions, Yeah. A stuntman's bar.

[Maggie Bowles]

I'm thinking about this now. Maybe we can talk to him for the podcast if he's trying.

[John Hoffman]

Oh, yeah. Oh, well, first of all, get ready, because he's a great voice for a podcast.

[Maggie Bowles]

Gosh.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Okay. All right.

[John Hoffman]

Well, I almost want to imitate Chris Barnes right now, but I'm really holding myself back.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We'll get the real voice.

[John Hoffman]

Yeah, he's amazing.

[Maggie Bowles]

We need to get Chris Barnes on this podcast.

[Ryan Tillotson]

We need to. Yes.

[Maggie Bowles]

Okay. Back to Jane Lynch. I'm curious when you. When you first learned that Saz was gonna die. What was that like?

[Jane Lynch]

Well, I was thrilled as an actor. You know, I don't want my character to die. I don't. But I was thrilled because I knew that the next season, I would have a lot to do, and it would be really fun to figure that out. Oh, who doesn't want to be the murder victim? Especially when there's, you know, flashbacks. And I done it as a ghost, too. I. I come back as a ghost. You know, I didn't know that in the beginning, but I thought it was great. I was very flattered that he chose me to be the murder victim.

[Ryan Tillotson]

So John told you with excitement. He did. Okay.

[Jane Lynch]

Well, that was kind of like, you know, he's like the nicest guy in the world. Listen, this is a good thing. We're going to kill you. What do you have to think about that? And I was. Oh, it's great.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

It's great.

[Ryan Tillotson]

I can see it. Yeah, I can see it.

[Maggie Bowles]

Yeah. Do you think that people will puzzle out what happened to Szaz this season? I feel like usually people are really way off.

[Ryan Tillotson]

No.

[Maggie Bowles]

You don't think so?

[Jane Lynch]

Really good. There are always people who know how to do things, you know, but there are twists and turns, like any good mystery that be unexpected. You'll. You'll be kind of teased into thinking it's going a certain way, and then you get pulled back, but nothing like, crazy. It all makes sense. I think what he does, I'm pretty sure, is he starts at the end and then he reverse engineers, you know, so it all makes sense. So I'm starting here. I'm going to end up here, so he can go. Because he knows where he started, and he knows where he's ending.

[John Hoffman]

Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

I think that's how he does it.

[Ryan Tillotson]

I think you're right. I think that's what we've heard.

[Jane Lynch]

Yeah, I think so.

[Maggie Bowles]

Ish.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

Yeah. Probably some adjustments as time goes on.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Jane Lynch]

I think to start, you have to know where you're coming from, and you don't have to, but. And where you're going to. But then that can change, too. That could change that kind of grow and evolve.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

Yeah.

[Maggie Bowles]

Well, we are rooting for the trio to figure out who killed Says so that we can have some justice for our beloved Sasp Pataky, because you.

[Jane Lynch]

Thank you.

[Maggie Bowles]

Saz is probably my favorite character on the whole show, and I am such a huge, huge fan of your work.

[Jane Lynch]

Thank you so much.

[Michael Cyril Crichton]

This.

[Jane Lynch]

This has been a joy talking to you, and just the whole. The whole experience of being on this show. Like I said, it's it starts at the head there with John Hoffman and it kind of works its way down in gorgeousness. So. And you guys deserves definitely an expression.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Oh well, thank you so much. Thank you so much, Jane, John and Michael. Now we're going to dive into some emails and comments. We've got some good theories in the mail this week. Here's what you are thinking.

[Maggie Bowles]

Laura B. From Saskatoon thinks Dudenoff was the person in the photo that's been scratched out and that they were murdered.

[Ryan Tillotson]

K thinks Jan's contact on the outside has to be Cinda Canning.

[Maggie Bowles]

That is a really good theory. I really like that theory. Anna W. Is a Perfect Strangers fan and is hoping for a guest appearance from Mark Lynn Baker or Bronson Pinchot this season.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Love that.

[Maggie Bowles]

I love that we have a real live Perfect Strangers fan in the audience.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Madeline M. Sent in her English essay on Mabel. Great job and congrats on the good grade.

[Maggie Bowles]

Congrats Madeline. We are also big fans of Mabel. Now here's Hannah from the Only Murder Subreddit.

[Unidentified Fan or Listener]

Episode four has given us a lot to chew on, especially with that cliffhanger. So I am back with new thoughts and theories from the Only Murders in the Building subreddit. First of all, we have an interesting theory from Tinkerbell Pixie who says it seems like everything is about doubles or a relation. Stunt doubles, Perfect strangers casting doubles for the movie. Oliver's secret IG accounts, brothers, sisters, etc. There has to be a reason, right? I was thinking maybe Charles had a twin or something. Or if the twin was Dudenoff. But that doesn't make sense because it would have been mentioned and the Westies would have said something after seeing Charles. But there has to be a reason why Dudanoff is so mysterious and his face is scratched off. We're also still focusing on the intended target. Mystery rapsel78 says Charles was the intended target. Saz wanted to tell him she was retiring. The investigation stuff was planted by the person they heard in Sazh's LA apartment, who they never chased after. My guess, it's Bev who caught on to the Westies while scouting the Arconia as a location for the film. She used them as a red herring to propel the investigation for the purposes of the film. But the actual murderer isn't a Westie. It's someone after Charles for a reason, hidden in his past. Someone from the Brazos poker game, maybe? Speaking of the Westies, this week they have revealed their big secret to Mabel, but they still kind of seem a little suspicious. Here's what mholerealtor77 has to say about Vince's what if his pink eye is movie makeup given that all their apartments have movie film Hollywood related stuff in it? What if they dressed Vince's eye in movie makeup to look like a pink eye, but it really is a bruise from the gun? Next up, if you're on the Only Murders in the Building subreddit, you know that we adore Howard, but we also always kind of suspect him a little bit. At one point in each season, Acidrain122 says Howard says he found the pig alone in the hallway, but the pig escaped on the west side of the building, which we have been told is sealed off completely from the east side. Did the pig make its way out the front door of the west side and walk into the east side? Or was Howard over in the west side of the building? If so, why would he be there? Finally we have Karaokegirl93 with some thoughts about Bev Melon and the episode's ending. I think Bev Mellon is also getting manipulated and it led her to finding stuff out like Saz probably did, and that's why she got super defensive when the trio found her at the end of the episode. Maybe she was being blackmailed or something. I think there will be some sensitive information shared with the trio from Bev and that maybe will be a significant clue. So while we still don't have a main suspect, a theory that comes up a lot is that the murderer is someone from Charles past, perhaps someone who is jealous of his career or who is seeking revenge for something. And I'm sure we'll find out more next week as we'll be halfway through the season already. I'll be back then with some more theories from the Only Murders in the Building subreddit.

[John Hoffman]

Foreign.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Only Murders in the Building podcast. Please send your thoughts and theories to [e-mail] you can also send us a voice memo and we might play it on the show.

[Maggie Bowles]

If you enjoy the show, take a minute to subscribe. Rate Follow Us Leave Us a Review it's all super, super helpful.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Only Murders in the Building podcast is a production of Straw Hut Media, hosted and produced by Ryan Tillotson and and Maggie Bowles. Associate producer is Steven Markley, original music by Kyle Merritt and Only Murders in the Building Theme music by Siddhartha Khosla Assistant Editor is Daniel Ferreira Production Assistant is Carolyn Mendoza.

[Maggie Bowles]

Thanks to Jane lynch and Michael Serow Crichton for talking with us this week. Thanks to Hannah over at Reddit, and

[Ryan Tillotson]

a big, big thanks, as always, to John Hoffman and the entire Hulu Team.

[Maggie Bowles]

See you next week.

[Ryan Tillotson]

Okay, that's it for today. Thank you so much for listening. That podcast Madeline mentioned with Daniel Radcliffe and his stunt double.

[Maggie Bowles]

Or should we say David Holmes and his acting double?

[Ryan Tillotson]

Right. That podcast is called Stunning Stunts.

[Jane Lynch]

Nope.

[Maggie Bowles]

Stunning Cunts. That podcast is called Stunning Cunts.

[Ryan Tillotson]

I didn't say that, but I almost did.