Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast
Episode: S5 E7 "Silver Alert"
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Michael Cyril Creighton
Overview
This episode of the Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast, hosted by Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard), offers fans a vibrant behind-the-scenes exploration of Season 5, Episode 7 ("Silver Alert"). Through exclusive interviews with guest stars Dylan and Becky Ann Baker, series newcomer Keegan-Michael Key, production designer Patrick Howe, and series antagonist Christoph Waltz, the podcast unpacks the process, hidden gems, comedic moments, and thematic depth that define this chapter of the show.
Episode Highlights and Key Insights
1. Episode 7 Recap (00:19–01:41)
- The trio is pointed toward Bash as the suspect by Mayor Tillman and sent to investigate his country estate.
- Bash denies murder; a casino competition—and an unexpected discovery in a trophy—drive the episode’s mystery.
- A tense standoff unfolds as Camilla arrives, gun in hand, to grab evidence.
- In the countryside, Oliver meets quirky farmers Ron and Linda (played by Dylan and Becky Ann Baker) and their “horse.”
Notable Quote:
"Inside the trophy is the severed finger. While the trio debriefs at the Arconia, Camilla comes in with a gun, grabs the finger and declares her plan." —Michael Cyril Creighton [01:41]
2. Dylan and Becky Ann Baker: Art Imitates Life (01:41–10:32)
Their Real-Life and On-Screen Partnership
- The Bakers, a real-life married couple, recount meeting 40 years ago at Williamstown Theater Festival—and now portraying married farmers.
- They reflect on their history of portraying couples on stage and screen (e.g., Smash, Hunters).
- Becky Ann: "We were on Hunters. And I got to call him a small, bald son of a bitch." [03:01]
On-Set Stories
- The couple had scenes with Martin Short, whom they hail as welcoming and joyous.
- They reveal the "horse" in their scenes was imaginary—created by crew members rattling an empty trailer.
- Dylan: "Yeah, for me, there was a horse. I can tell you everything it had for breakfast." [04:56]
- Filming in the countryside involved springtime pollen—a happy accident that provided emotional authenticity and a gorgeous, bucolic setting.
Accidental Easter Egg: The Boots Connection
- Becky Ann Baker shares that her character’s purple boots referenced The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, which she herself appeared in on Broadway—unknown to the writers.
- Becky Ann: "They're 47 years old... they're just, you know, ancient. But they're purple." [06:24]
Shared History with the Main Cast
- Dylan reflects on his early New York days working on Planes, Trains, and Automobiles with Steve Martin, joking about his disgusting but memorable entrance in the film.
Game Segment: “Dead Giveaway” (08:24–09:52)
- The Bakers and Michael play a rapid-fire guessing game tied to show themes and episode details—“boots,” “algae,” “silver alert”.
- Becky Ann (joking): “He won. He just kept blabbing and blabbing.” [09:56]
3. Keegan-Michael Key: Playing the Mayor (11:01–23:59)
Joining Season 5
- Keegan describes his excitement at joining comedy legends, citing Steve Martin and Martin Short as foundational influences on his craft.
- Keegan: “Thrilled is one word. Honored is the other word I would use.” [11:37]
Set Culture and Character Parallels
- Key feels welcomed by a “well-oiled machine” and likens his role as mayor to his real-life warmth on set.
- Keegan: “You give warm set. You give very good set.” [13:16]
- He discusses blending his natural positivity into Mayor Bo Tillman.
Comedy Through Improv
- Some of Key's memorable mayoral lines—like “Where's the beef?” and “Awooga!”—were partially improvised.
- Keegan: “Where’s the Beef was ad libbed and Mama se Mamu Samu Makusa was ad libbed.” [16:32]
Inspiration From Real Mayors
- While not basing Bo on a specific mayor, Key says his fashion was inspired by NYC’s Eric Adams—down to lapel pins representing various causes.
- Keegan: “We wanted to have some visual cues... always campaigning. He’s always spinning a plate for some cause.” [18:10]
Plot Conspiracies
- Discussing Romy, Mayor Bo’s sweet aide (Caitlin Houlihan), Key ponders her suspicious ties: “That woman’s too adorable... if I were watching the show, I’d have been, no, no, no, what’s the assistant’s deal?” [20:48]
Casino Plot and NYC Parallels
- Key reflects on the plot’s casino competition as uniquely topical and “witchy,” given current events.
- Michael: “I sometimes text John, and I’m like, I think you’re psychic... maybe Jon Hoffman is a little bit witchy.” [21:37]
Game Segment: “Celebrity—Only Murders Edition” (22:20–23:53)
- Michael quizzes Keegan on past show guest stars in a frenetic, hilarious session.
- Keegan: “Superstar. Molly Shannon.” [22:27]
4. Production Design with Patrick Howe (24:02–30:17)
Visualizing New Spaces
- Howe recounts scouting for and curating the decor of “Bash’s country estate”—opting for regal rather than rustic.
- The creation of the Arconia’s new “gaming parlor” (velvet room/casino) was a major design feat:
- Patrick: “To me it sounded like we would be in there...more than anywhere else, you know, the season.” [25:22]
- The parlor inspired by Grand Central Station’s arches, grounding fantasy in New York realism.
Realism Above All
- Break rooms and basement sets were designed to feel unfinished and gritty—so convincing, cast and crew sometimes forgot they were on a set.
- Michael: “It feels so real. It feels dirty, like it feels old. And I know it’s not, but it actually feels dusty, dirty, damp and basementy...” [28:14]
- Howe loves designing realism, believing authentic spaces anchor even the most whimsical storylines.
A Designer’s Wish List
- Howe jokes he’d love to do something “futuristic” in the show, if only the tone allowed—for “season 26”! [30:14]
5. Checking in with Christoph Waltz (31:07–36:15)
Should Bash Be Cleared?
- Waltz playfully warns viewers: never stop being suspicious of Bash.
- Christoph: “No, never... The audience, as a matter of obligation, should never stop suspecting.” [31:07]
Why Mystery Matters
- Expounds on the psychological value of stories:
- Christoph: “The brain does the same...identical to living through the actual experience in reality when it is experienced in a story, really.” [31:53]
Country Estate & Taxidermy
- Location shot on Long Island, made to stand in for Connecticut; Christoph bemused by the on-set taxidermy compared to the Louvre-level museum in Paris.
Child Actor “Algy”
- Raves about the child actor playing Algy, describing how the best way to direct talented kids is to “leave them alone.”
- Christoph: “If you start interfering with kids...there goes the innocence, the priceless quality.” [34:25]
Philosophical Banter on Innocence Lost
- Christoph and Michael joke about it being “too late” for them to recapture childlike innocence as actors.
- Christoph: “Too late, too late, Tempe passati. Never again.” [36:01]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Michael Cyril Creighton (to Dylan Baker): "Some people get to act with Meryl Streep, and I get to act with Sprinkle the Pig." [04:23]
- Dylan Baker: “Now I’ve gotten to work with Steve Martin...Martin Short...Nathan Lane, Richard Kind, and now I’ve gotten to work with Michael Cyril Creighton.” [10:10]
- Keegan-Michael Key: “A big part of my platform is making the streets of this city safer, so I am excited to chop it up today.” [15:02]
- Christoph Waltz: "One day both will happen. I will be killed and a killer." [33:01]
- Patrick Howe: "The last thing that wants to be funny or implausible is the setting." [29:05]
- Michael (on the gaming parlor): “I had not seen it yet...turned on the lights and my breath was taken away. It is so remarkable.” [25:01]
- Keegan-Michael Key (on improv): “Steve was adamant about the auga...no, no, no. It’s like, you gotta do it.” [16:13]
Important Timestamps
- Dylan & Becky Ann Baker Interview: 01:41–10:32
- Keegan-Michael Key Interview: 11:01–23:59
- Production Designer Patrick Howe: 24:02–30:17
- Christoph Waltz Interview: 31:07–36:15
- Game Segment (with Bakers): 08:24–09:52
- Game Segment (with Keegan): 22:20–23:53
Conclusion
This episode of the Only Murders in the Building Official Podcast is a charm-laden deep dive into the playfulness and intricacies of “Silver Alert.” With engaging stories from real-life couples, candid actor revelations, insider design talk, and sly hints about the ever-twisting mystery, it delivers a must-listen for fans who crave the secrets and laughter of the Arconia gang—right down to the last (severed) finger.
Next Week: The podcast will feature actor Russell G. Jones (Dr. Grover Stanley), co-writer McKenna Thurber, set decorator Mila Kalovich, and casting director Tiffany Little Canfield.