Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast

Episode: S5 E5: Tongue Tied
Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton
Special Guests: Jermaine Fowler, Don Darrell Rivera, David Patrick Kelly, Ben Smith, J.J. Philbin

Overview

This episode of the official Only Murders in the Building podcast, hosted by Michael Cyril Creighton (who plays Howard), dives behind the scenes of Season 5, Episode 5: “Tongue Tied.” The show explores the episode’s comedic take on workplace rebellion (against a robot doorman!), the human vs. machine theme, behind-the-scenes stories from cast and crew, character dynamics, on-set games, and insights from the writers’ room. The episode features interviews with guest stars Jermaine Fowler (Randall), Don Darrell Rivera (DDR), and David Patrick Kelly (Miller), as well as writers Ben Smith and J.J. Philbin.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Episode Recap and New Characters

• [00:13] Michael recaps Episode 5, highlighting the Arconia staff’s rebellion against Lester the robot, a chaotic building meeting, and Charles’s steamy date with Sophia.
• [01:30] The “help” (building staff) become central to the plot, providing both mystery and comedy.

Jermaine Fowler on Joining the Cast as Randall (The New Doorman)

• [02:33–12:26]
  • Jermaine discusses the surreal experience of acting alongside comedy legends:

    “You’re having this out of body sort of experience where you’re just like, wow... I’m here with people who really shaped my comedic sensibilities.” ([03:09] - Jermaine Fowler)

  • His admiration for Steve Martin, inspired by Martin’s book Born Standing Up, and how he finally shared this with Steve on set ([04:27]–[05:12]).
  • On set buddies: Michael and Jermaine reflect on their supportive friendship and comedic collaboration.
  • Jermaine confirms Randall’s “Lester die” graffiti was a rebuke of the robot, not the beloved human.
  • What it was like to work with (and act against) the robot doorman on set.

    “I had so much confidence in my job after working with this robot. I was like, I’m good. The robot was terrible at hitting marks.” ([06:17] - Jermaine Fowler)

  • First scene with Martin Short (“Oliver steals the ledger”): warmth and comedic beats, but also an “out of body experience” ([07:03]).
  • The set as “the nicest in the world” – “the warmest set I’ve ever, ever, ever been a part of.” ([07:53])
  • The unique anxiety and challenge of delivering single lines vs. big, chunky dialogue scenes ([08:47]–[09:38]).
  • Their game, “Name That Arconian,” showcases Jermaine’s growing knowledge of the cast’s quirky characters ([10:16]–[12:08]).

Howard and the Robot—Character Commentary

• [12:26]
  • Michael shares that Howard’s storyline centers on codependency with Lester the robot and his grief after the robot’s demise, humorously noting robot replacements are always on the way.

Don Darrell Rivera (DDR) Segment: Magic, Disney, and Surprises

• [13:29–16:22]
  • DDR, mistakenly booked due to initial confusion with DPK, shares his Disney roots and long run in “Aladdin” on Broadway.
  • Michael and DDR reminisce about magic tricks on set, including a live on-air card trick ([14:46]).

    “I read your mind. Literally read your mind.” ([15:04] - Don Darrell Rivera)

  • DDR’s love for mentalism and “card tricks is where it started.”
  • The magical connection: Steve Martin’s origins at the Disneyland magic shop ([15:55]).

David Patrick Kelly (DPK) as Miller—Metaphysical Trash Man

• [16:31–26:46]
  • Miller is introduced as the building’s mysterious trash man, “a survivor of the trash wars of the 1970s” and a reference to the New York Dolls ([17:03]).
  • Filming the wild building meeting with the whole cast:

    “It was the mixing of the upstairs, downstairs part of the building, the entire lifeblood... all pushing back on the changes that are happening and the revolt... against the onslaught of AI.” ([17:58] - DPK)

  • Vanessa (Ursula) led chants of “murder building” on set, stoking the scene’s mob mentality ([19:03]–[19:26]).
  • DPK and Michael discuss “outsider art” and the impressive “trash portrait” of Lester ([20:18]).

    “Steve’s improvised line at the time that he said, ‘outsider art’... I’ve always been a fan of art. Outsider art.” ([20:24] - DPK)

  • Behind the scenes: Steve Martin gives the cast a puzzle of Trash Lester as a wrap gift ([21:07]).
  • Miller’s perspective: respect and resentment toward the trio, empathy for Mabel, complicated dynamics with Howard ([21:39]–[22:54]).
  • Their “Dead Giveaway” game covers props and plot points—body bags, collages, shrimp tails, and more ([25:06]).
  • Returning to Lester the robot, DPK asserts:

    “Lester the robot is fascinating, but a huge threat and must be met with rebellion.” ([23:07])

Shared Interests – Bluegrass, Mandolin, and Broadway

• [23:30–24:37]
  • DPK shares musical roots with Steve Martin:

    “Our love of bluegrass music and art... I’ve played the mandolin since 1964.” ([23:32])

  • Tells of developing “psychobilly” (psychedelic hillbilly) music.

Writers’ Room: Ben Smith and J.J. Philbin

• [27:04–40:51]
  • Discuss collaborative writing, episode thematics, and returning to beloved building lore like Gut Milk and the staff plotlines.
  • Reinforce the season’s central themes: “disappearance of kind of these old New York institutions” and the "upstairs-downstairs" element ([28:01]–[29:12]).
  • The creation of Miller as a “trash psychic... a trash savant” who knows all the building’s secrets ([29:40]).
  • Fun with recurring (and unscripted) Arconia side characters.
  • Charles’s testosterone arc in Episode 5 was Steve Martin’s own idea:

    “It was Steve’s pitch... we reveal that he’s... brimming with testosterone.” ([31:45] - J.J. Philbin)

  • Hibachi date for Charles and Sophia was always planned for the comedic “yum yum sauce” payoff ([32:36]).
  • The writers share their approach to “building lore”—birdwatching, Lester’s birding reference, and the creative cycle of expanding small past jokes into actual storylines ([34:39]).
  • Personal touches: choosing names for Lester’s family from Ben’s own parents, clever ADR with Regis Philbin (J.J. Philbin’s father) as an in-universe clip ([35:35]–[36:14]).
  • The emotional core of Episode 9 teased as a series high point.
  • Fun, characterful closer: what jobs the writers’ pets would have in the Arconia universe ([38:16]–[40:06]).

Memorable Quotes

• Jermaine Fowler on set nerves:

  “I had so much confidence in my job after working with this robot. I was like, I’m good.” ([06:17])

• Michael Cyril Creighton on the set:

  “It is. We don’t talk about this a lot, but it is... the nicest set you could ever be [on].” ([02:52])

• David Patrick Kelly on rebellion:

  “Lester the robot is fascinating, but a huge threat and must be met with rebellion.” ([23:07])

• J.J. Philbin on Charles’s libido:

  “We reveal that he’s... just, like, brimming with testosterone. And it felt like this episode was the right episode to launch it.” ([31:49])

• Michael Cyril Creighton’s game show flair:

  “Okay. Put 60 seconds on the clock. Ready? Here we go.” ([25:33])

• Ben Smith on writing for the Cacchamelio Boys:

  “Probably there’s like 20 pages of the season that got cut of just their dialogue. Cause you could write them forever.” ([33:31])

Fun, Playful On-Set Moments

• [10:16] On-air “Name That Arconian” game between Michael and Jermaine.
• [15:25] DDR performs a card trick for Michael, surprising him with a successful mind-read.
• [25:06] DPK and Michael play “Dead Giveaway,” rapid-fire prop and plot guessing.
• [19:09] On-set chant led by “Ursula”: “murder building, murder building...”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Recap & Episode Frame: [00:13]–[01:58]
• Jermaine Fowler Interview: [02:30]–[12:26]
• Jermaine & Michael’s Game: [10:16]
• Howard’s Character Arc (Narration): [12:26]
• Don Darrell Rivera (Magic & Disney): [13:29]–[16:22]
• David Patrick Kelly/Miller Segment: [16:31]–[26:46]
• Writers’ Room (Smith & Philbin): [27:04]–[40:51]

Conclusion

The episode is a lively, loving exploration of “Tongue Tied,” underscoring Only Murders’ trademark blend of comedy, heart, and layered ensemble storytelling. Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes camaraderie, creative backstories, on-set pranks and games, and deep dives into both the series' evolving lore and the eccentric souls who inhabit and create the Arconia.

Next week: Appearances from Beanie Feldstein, showrunner John Hoffman, and the mysterious on-set mascot, Bernardo. Until then, as Michael says, “Don’t get killed!”