Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

Season 4, Episode 6: “Blow-Up (Part 2)”

Original Release: October 4, 2024
Hosts: Ryan Tillotson & Maggie Bowles
Special Guests: Kat Cohen (Trina Brothers), Sienna Werber (Tawny Brothers), John Hoffman (Showrunner/Co-creator)

Episode Overview

This episode offers an entertaining deep dive into the making of Season 4, Episode 6, with a spotlight on the Brothers Sisters—Trina and Tawny, played by Katherine (Kat) Cohen and Sienna Werber. Hosts Ryan and Maggie interview the actresses, explore their unique audition journey, discuss what it was like to film the experimental episode predominantly on Super 8 cameras, and probe just how suspicious the Brothers Sisters really are in the ever-twisting murder mystery of the Arconia. The team also collects fan theories and Easter eggs, creating an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the wit, charm, and mystery that drive the series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Creation and Inspiration of the Brothers Sisters

• Twins…but Not Really:
  • John Hoffman, showrunner, discusses how the concept of the Brothers Sisters came to life, noting that while they call themselves "identical twins," they are not actually identical.
    • "You sort of either know art school girls or, you know, young directors...sometimes it's to escape something else and sometimes it's to forever reach to define yourself before you really may know yourself." (John Hoffman, [02:30])
• Art School & Film Kids:
  • The characters are drawn from observations of "pure, artist-minded kids" who use art to explore or escape.

Casting and Chemistry

• Audition Room Vibes:
  • Kat and Sienna had not met before auditions, but were paired together for their first read and found an immediate, "strange rhythm" that worked perfectly.
    • "They're such kind of bizarre characters to read just for the audition, but very exciting...I hoped and I feel like I might have known that there was something there." (Sienna Werber, [07:33])
• Costume and Wig Magic:
  • To achieve 'twin' looks, Sienna (a blonde) wore a brunette wig to match Kat's hair, which they both loved.

Filming Techniques & The Super 8 Experience

• Learning Super 8:
  • Neither Kat nor Sienna had prior experience with Super 8 cameras.
    • "Super 8 camera was the kind of thing that, like, a boyfriend tells you about, and you're like, I don't know what you're saying..." (Kat Cohen, [03:11])
• An Episode Like a Play:
  • Director Jessica coordinated the episode with intense rehearsal, blocking, and attention to details, making it feel like a theatrical production.
    • "It was very much like a play in that the blocking had to be perfect. It was so much fun to shoot." (Kat Cohen, [04:18])

On Working With the Legendary Cast

• Dreams Come True:
  • Kat describes being "shaking like a leaf" meeting childhood idols like Steve Martin and Martin Short.
    • "Every single weekend growing up, I would go to Blockbuster and rent Father of the Bride...so obviously I was extremely gagged." (Kat Cohen, [09:06])
• Warmth on Set:
  • Both Kat and Sienna praise the atmosphere set by John Hoffman and the main cast, emphasizing how kindness and inclusivity made even newcomers feel comfortable.
    • "It was overwhelming from the beginning, but so exciting. All I know is it was so seamless because of the kindness of everybody..." (Sienna Werber, [24:03])

Notable & Hilarious Behind-the-Scenes Moments

• Lifting Martin Short:
  • A scene where Kat lifts Martin Short became a highlight for both the crew and her family:
    • "My dad texted me just an hour ago, did you really lift Martin Short off the ground like that? I said, yes. He goes, that's absolutely wild." (Kat Cohen, [00:02] & [11:08])
• Comedy Improv Magic – “Wiener to Wiener”:
  • The now-iconic "Wiener to Wiener" exchange was improvised:
    • "Wiener to Wiener was, was improv...I can't believe I got to say that to Martin Short and Paul Rudd. I will value that very deeply." (Sienna Werber, [19:00])

Crafting Their Characters

• Trina & Tawny as Avant-Garde Wonders:
  • The sisters' characters are over-the-top, idolizing their film professor to an extreme, longtime collaborators since their "emotionally disturbed" childhood.
• Character Process:
  • Sienna describes Tawny as “an auteur...a filmmaker with a singular vision," enjoying playing someone "quite strange" and keeping things below the surface. ([16:48])
• Finding the Right Voice:
  • Tawny’s distinctive voice came from “slightly exaggerating” her natural low register upon the showrunner’s suggestion. ([18:18])

The “Meta” Nature of the Show and Episode

• A Playful Play Within a Play:
  • Layered cameras, found footage style, and scenes staged to feel like theater all play into the “meta” elements:
    • "It felt like we were all almost doing a student film, yet we're, we're on a magnificent Hulu set." (Sienna Werber, [23:02])
• Ode to Filmmaking:
  • Sienna notes the season’s “spirit of cinema and storytelling,” finding inspiration in how each episode is named after a film and how the show joyfully honors and toys with movie tropes. ([25:58])

Theories & Suspect List — Are Trina & Tawny Off the Hook?

• Both actresses enjoy the ambiguity of their roles—Kat muses, "they're murderous, but I don't know if they're the murderers," while Sienna teases, "it ain’t over till it’s over...in any good mystery, there's twists and turns." ([29:45]-[30:08])

Fan Engagement — Easter Eggs & Theories

• Easter Eggs by the Minute ([31:01]):
  • Visual hints hidden throughout the season, including shadows, props, and a movie camera atop the Arconia in Episode 6.
• Fan Theories via Subreddit:
  • Is there a twin Vince scam?
  • Was Dudenoff’s body hidden for rent reasons?
  • Is Marshall orchestrating the mystery via hidden cameras?
  • The eyepatch switching eyes—intentional clue or red herring?

Memorable Quotes & Funny Moments

• Kat Cohen on Super 8:
  "A Super 8 camera was the kind of thing that, like, a boyfriend tells you about, and you’re like, whatever you want, King. Pay attention to me, tell me I’m pretty." ([03:11])
• On Lifting Martin Short:
  "Did you really lift Martin Short off the ground like that? I said, yes. He goes, that's absolutely wild." ([00:02], [11:08]) "Imagine if it was improvised." (Kat Cohen, [11:33])
• Sienna Werber on Tawny:
  "She’s weird. She’s weird. I mean, let's just say it." ([16:48])
• On “Wiener to Wiener”:
  "Wiener to Wiener was, was improv…Someone was like, Sienna, you know, say that. So I think 'Wiener to Wiener' is iconic." (Sienna Werber, [19:00])
• Kat Cohen on Set Atmosphere:
  "That energy radiates down. Top down vibes. Everyone just carried that good, kind eng, as they say." ([29:20])
• Sienna Werber on the Experience:
  "Pinch me, pinch me…Definitely, like the best experience of my life. I mean, it was so full of fun and goodness and just the ode to filmmaking that this season is." ([25:58])

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 00:02 — Kat’s dad texts about lifting Martin Short
• 00:45 — Introduction of the Brothers Sisters, John Hoffman on their creation
• 03:11 — Kat Cohen’s Super 8 “boyfriend” story and deep-dive into filming techniques
• 06:11 — Kat and Sienna’s audition chemistry & costuming
• 09:06 — Kat on working with the iconic cast
• 11:08 — The “lifting Martin Short” moment
• 13:42 — Kat’s (lack of) student film experience
• 14:33 — Behind the scenes blocking and filming with Super 8s, the play-like shoot
• 16:42 — Sienna on Tawny’s character, their “native language” of film
• 18:18 — The origins of Tawny’s distinct voice
• 19:00 — “Wiener to Wiener” improv reveal
• 22:24 — Sienna on the meta filmmaking within the show
• 24:03 — Sienna’s awe at joining such legendary comedic talent
• 29:45-30:08 — Are the Brothers Sisters exonerated? Both actresses tease ambiguity: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
• 31:01+ — Fan mail segment: Easter eggs, wild theories, and subreddit speculation

Fan Theories & Listener Engagement Highlights

• Mysteries within Mysteries:
  • Theories abound about twins, swapped identities, hidden cameras, and motive, with listeners piling on clues about Vince's eye patch and rent control scams.
  • Speculation continues about the real killer, with the Brothers Sisters still under gentle suspicion by some fans.
• Interactive Easter Egg Hunt:
  • Compilation and correction of the season’s visual clues by attentive listeners.

Tone & Style

The episode is filled with playful self-awareness, affectionate parody of “artsy” types, and genuine awe for the iconic leads. The chemistry among the guests and hosts is light, teasing, and insider-ish—making listeners feel like they’re part of the Arconia’s circle. There’s a running thread about the surreal joy of being a small part in something with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Molly Shannon, balanced with witty on-set anecdotes and meta-commentary on the show’s love of cinematic tropes.

Final Thoughts

"Blow-Up (Part 2)" gives fans a candid, hilarious look into the collaborative creativity and sheer fun at the heart of Only Murders in the Building. With standout moments (yes, including physically picking up Martin Short and the improv “Wiener to Wiener”), it’s both a celebration of filmmaking and a testament to how even in a “meta” murder mystery, the real magic is the camaraderie and quirks backstage.

For Next Time:

Tune in to future podcasts for more behind-the-scenes secrets, evolving theories, and the ongoing, delightful unraveling of Arconia’s mysteries!