S5 E7: Silver Alert

Summary

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.

---

Transcript

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Did you get to act with a real horse?

[Becky Ann Baker]

No, but we pretended there was a horse in there.

[Dylan Baker]

Yeah, for me, there was a horse.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

In there, and that's.

[Dylan Baker]

I could tell you everything that it had for breakfast.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Welcome to Oney Murders in the Building, the official podcast.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I am your host, Michael Cyril Creighton. I play your favorite trio's fourth wheel, your favorite yodeler's favorite yodeler, Howard Morris. Today's show is all about episode seven, now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney. We'll talk with the actors Dylan and Becky Ann Baker, the real life couple who appear as the farmer couple, Ron and Linda. Then we'll check in with Christophe Walls because we have to talk about Bash's strange little boy, algae. We'll also talk to production designer Patrick Howe about imagining brand new aspects of the Arconia and beyond. And of course, we're also going to talk to Keegan Michael Key about playing the mayor of a fictional New York city. But first, a quick recap of episode seven. So if you have not watched, stop, come back. I will be here waiting.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Bash, Steed is your murderer.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Mayor Tillman says Bash is the killer and gives the trio the address to Bash's country estate.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

He's literally above the law at the mansion.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Bash denies everything. Jay admits they're still trying to settle the same bet from the night Lester died. Deals have always been made in back rooms.

[Christoph Waltz]

Games are just our way of making it fun.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Charles and Mabel play a round of celebrity time.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

And learn that the billionaires are competing to build New York City's first casino.

[Becky Ann Baker]

This is about a casino and a stupid trophy.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

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. Out in the country, Oliver meets a friendly farmer couple, and they're taking their horse to the vet. Ron and Linda are played by the fantastic Dylan and Becky Ann Baker. Hello, you two. Welcome. Yay. I am so excited to see you. I have been a super fan for decades. You are a married couple, is that correct?

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yes.

[Dylan Baker]

So far.

[Becky Ann Baker]

So far, going almost 38 years. We met 40 years ago this summer at the Williamstown Theater Festival.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Amazing. You're playing a married couple in this episode. I know you've done theater together. That's where you met, at Williamstown. Have you done a lot of film and TV together?

[Becky Ann Baker]

We actually have. People love the idea of, you know, casting a married couple because there's so much information that we have that we don't even need to create.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right.

[Becky Ann Baker]

But so we've been. We were on Smash, the TV show Smash. We were the parents of one of the two.

[Dylan Baker]

Cat McPhee.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Cat McPhee. Oh, and we were on. We weren't married. On. What was the one where you murdered everybody?

[Dylan Baker]

Good Wife.

[Becky Ann Baker]

No, no, no.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

You murdered people on that one, too. Could be anything else.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Hunters.

[Dylan Baker]

Oh, hunters.

[Becky Ann Baker]

We were on Hunters. And I got to call him a small, bald son of a bitch.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

First time that you ever said that.

[Dylan Baker]

Let's just say we rehearsed that scene a lot.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

40 years.

[Dylan Baker]

The last time we rehearsed it, I said we finished shooting it six months ago. Do we have to keep rehearsing this scene?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

You know, what I love about this episode is that we immediately meet these two characters that we have never seen before who are so different than the characters we usually see in our show. Is that because you two are playing them? We immediately want to know more. What can you tell me about Ron and Linda?

[Becky Ann Baker]

We are huge fans of the show of Only Murders, so when we found out that we got to do the cold open with our horse, it was one of the more exciting days in our household. And our scenes were all with Marty Short right there. It just was the most welcoming set. And he made us all so comfortable.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

And I know that he loved working with you two. That was the word, you know. We're all so excited to talk about who we worked with the day before. So I did hear we had a great time with you. I do have a question, though. I was so excited. Now I have had to work with so many animals on this show. A dog, a cat, a bird, a pig. A pig. A pig that peed on me during a scene. Oh, pig peas. A little different than other people during the scene. Some people get to act with Meryl Streep, and I get to act with Sprinkle the Pig. Did you get to act with a real horse?

[Becky Ann Baker]

No, it was an empty horse trailer.

[Dylan Baker]

But then it felt like there was a horse.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Well, the crew made it feel like there was a horse because they were back there rattling it. Yeah, I heard that.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Adam from props, maybe. Or someone was just shaking it so.

[Becky Ann Baker]

It felt like they were horses and it was a big old trailer. But we pretended there was a horse in there.

[Dylan Baker]

Yeah, for me, there was a horse in there. I can tell you everything that it had for breakfast.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

That's why you were the best of the best. What was it like? Because we spend most of our time on the stages, I very rarely get to Go out into the real world and spend time in the wild. Where were you filming? And was there anything that happened in sort of the naturalness of being in a real location.

[Dylan Baker]

What time of year was it? Like springtime.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yeah.

[Dylan Baker]

And so there was.

[Christoph Waltz]

Oh.

[Dylan Baker]

Oh, what's that coming out of the trees?

[Becky Ann Baker]

You know, a lot of, like, pollining.

[Dylan Baker]

There was pollination going on all around us.

[Becky Ann Baker]

If you needed to be kind of emotional, it was easy.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah, yeah. But it was so red. But it was so beautiful.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yeah, but it was a beautiful kind of bucolic kind of trees and, you know, all this, you know, wonderful stuff. And then here comes Martin short running up into the scene. It was actually perfect.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay, so I would like to talk to you, Becky Ann, about boots.

[Becky Ann Baker]

So I happen to know a lot about boots, in fact, and I wish my instinct had followed through in this script. Not giving anything away. It talks about boots from the original cast of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I happen to be an original cast member of that show, and I still have my purple boots. I was gonna bring them and wear them, except they're so old. They're 47 years old.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Oh, my gosh.

[Becky Ann Baker]

And they're a little crusty and hard to get on.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Because they're just, you know. I mean, they're ancient. But they're purple. They painted them purple. And it's pretty great that you're sitting there wearing very similar. You could actually do the show in those.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Well, do you think they knew when they cast you? Did they know that that was. Or is that just one of those amazing things where there's just one of those crossover.

[Becky Ann Baker]

One of those crazy crossover coincidences? Because I don't think anybody. I mean, I was a chorus girl. It was my first job in New York, really was an open call. I went to an open call of the Best Little Ross in Texas along with, I don't know, 500 other young hopefuls and somehow came out of it with a job. I have no idea how it was.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

That is incredible.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yeah, yeah, it was pretty amazing. I know.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

That's incredible. And you have a little interesting creative crossover with the show. I did not realize this until the other night, that you have worked with Steve Martin before. Correct.

[Dylan Baker]

I was very lucky. One of my first jobs in New York, I got to work on Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes.

[Dylan Baker]

And Steve Martin, I think, had a part in that. Oh, yes, that's right. It was Steve Martin. That's right. And John Candy. And the two of them were. It was just. I got spoiled right Then from the beginning, working with two of the best.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

People in the business, you also get an iconic entrance. Like, I didn't realize it was you until I watched it again the other night. And you get that. Great. You come out of the truck, they pan up your whole body, and then you're just spitting and disgusting. It is such a gross, hysterical, perfect performance.

[Dylan Baker]

And you know the amazing thing about that? If you. Next time you look at it, right behind me, there's a highway that we had no control over. And two 18 wheeler trucks go right behind my head as they get up.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

To me on the floor.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Oh, so great. Well, I think it's time for us to play a game. How do you feel about that day?

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay.

[Becky Ann Baker]

We're wildly competitive. I just want to warn you, I.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Feel like I get that, and I think that I am too. So this is a game called Dead giveaway. I have 10 things. I'm going to describe them. It is your job to guess them. There'll be 60 seconds on the timer, and if you win, you get to spend an hour in Bash Steed's cryo chamber. How about that?

[Dylan Baker]

Use that.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

All right, bakers, here we go. This is like a car, but it's bigger. Van. Yes. This is a. It's a board operation. Yes, yes. This is what grows in water when it's humid.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

The mold. Oh, oh.

[Dylan Baker]

Seaweed fungus.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah, it's like seaweed, but it starts.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Algae.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. This is what we all want. Love. Yes.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yes.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

The job. This is what you get to do a speech when you get it. An award. Yes.

[Becky Ann Baker]

An Oscar.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. A trophy. This is what pulls. I think this is what pulls things. It's like a. It's a trailer hitch.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Trailer hitch.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. I think a tractor. A tractor. Okay, this is what I'm wearing.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Boots.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Boots. Yes. You're right. It was on here. Okay, this is what you get for Oliver in this episode. It's a. Not an amber, but a.

[Becky Ann Baker]

A silver alert.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. I got one.

[Becky Ann Baker]

You got like 10. Who won?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I think we all won.

[Becky Ann Baker]

He won. He just kept blabbing and blabbing.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Boots, boots, boots. Algae. Well, thank you so much for being here. I'm so happy to see you both. I'm such a fan of you both. I'm so glad you're on this show.

[Dylan Baker]

You know, in terms of dreams, I got to work with Steve Martin. Now I've gotten to work with Martin Short. I've gotten to work with Nathan Lane, Richard Kine, and now I've gotten to work with Michael Cyril Creighton.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Dylan.

[Dylan Baker]

I'm serious.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Yeah, we're thrilled.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Well, maybe the first of many. I hope so. I'll see you both really soon, I hope.

[Becky Ann Baker]

Thanks.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay, Oliver and Mabel, we got a really special edition of Only Murders podcast. Today we're sitting with New York City Mayor Bo Tillman. Ha ha. This season we've met a new kind of New Yorker, the Mayor of the city, Bo Tillman. He was a guest on the fictional Only Murders in the Building podcast and now he's a guest on the official companion podcast video podcast that we're doing right now. Keegan, Michael Key, welcome.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Hi, Michael.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

How are you, man? I'm good, how are you? It's good to see you.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

It's good to see you. I miss you.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I miss you too. There's bricks where you are. There's bricks where I am. Are we in the same building?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

It feels like we're in the same building. Should I just come over? Maybe just come over to the legs.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I would love to see your legs. All right, so we're so excited to see you in the premiere episode, but now we get a little more taste of Mayor Bo Tillman. I was so excited when I heard that you were joining the cast because, you know, we need another comedy legend. What was it like to join this in our fifth season? Sort of a well oiled machine. What was it like to join the cast?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Quite frankly, I was thrilled. I was absolutely thrilled because I was given, like, I think most people, I was given an opportunity to work with legends and work with people who actually have been very influential in my career. I mean, a lot of what I do, and I think I can speak for quite a lot of our colleagues too, is because of some of the things that Steve and Marty have done in their career in the past. That, that, that inspired me to say I, I love when you, when you meet kind of a transformative artist that, where they do something in their craft and you go, oh, I didn't, I didn't know we were allowed to do that. I didn't know or I didn't know you could do that. And, and that's what sparks one's imagination. So I was absolutely, I was thrilled. I mean, thrilled is one word. Honored is the other word I would use. And I really wanted to bring my aame and what, is there anything I can do to help the process, to enhance the process? You know, I just was, I was really, really, really champing at the bit to get to work.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah. And what was that first day like? The first day, I think Was Lester's wake. Right. When you get Lester's wake. That was the first day. Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

And you just said it. You took the words out of my mouth, actually, which was. Well, oiled machine, because that's exactly. I think there's something nice stepping into. Stepping into a family. And I say family in the greatest sense of the word because the family was also very welcoming. I mean, you guys give. I like. How do I say it? How do I say it? You give warm set. You give very good set.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I agree. I agree. Well, you give warm guest. Because you came on and one of the first things you did was you gave me a giant hug and you said, I'm such a fan. Which then I noticed in this episode you do when you come in and see Mabel, you come in, shake her hand and say, I'm such a fan.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Hello.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Hello.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

What a pleasure. A pleasure.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Big fan. Where does Keegan end and Mayor Bo Tilman begin?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Well, you know, that's a good question. I am. It's funny that somebody. I can't remember who, quote, I can't remember who coined the term. This is like a weird thing to say. Maybe I coined the term, but I did a show a few years ago with another actor, and that actor, it was like he was the mayor of the set, or almost like we were competing to be the mayor of the set. Like, you want to bring good energy and. And have good connections with the crew. And I want everyone to feel good and warm and happy. They're at work. And it's so funny that I'd be playing the mayor in the show and also striving to be. Or it's kind of my default is to be the mayor on the set.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah. I love it. I love it. What I said about you after I first met you, I was like, he is so warm. He is so nice. He can talk about anything and talk about it enthusiastically. Like, every time I saw you on set, you were having an amazing conversation with someone about anything.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This is so nice.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

That's my way. So it's funny to answer, like, to directly answer the question. I'm not quite sure where Keegan. Well, let's do this. We're taking some Keegan characteristics and imbuing them into. Or I should say, how about this? Beau has been imbued by quite a few characteristics of Keegan.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

The good characters. That's how I would say it. The good parts of Bo, I definitely inform that character in that way. It's fun to play a mayor, you know, a big part of my platform is making the streets of this city safer. So I am excited to chop it up today.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This is one of my favorite scenes. Earlier in the season when you're trying to pitch yourself for the podcast, you're like, you can say, where's the beef? Or do a commercial or do a bunch of sounds. Podcast sounds. Was that improvised or did you, was that in the script?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

I'm still a veil to guest, FYI. Or, you know, I could just do sound effects, you know, throw in a, you know, Hong Kong or you know, where's the Beef? It's so funny.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

But it's not really that type of podcast. It's more murder centric.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

That's a fun one too. Some of it was in the script, but then there were some things that we, that we ad libbed. So I, I, I think, I don't know if it made it into the cut, but at one point in time I, I, I was saying I could do this, I could do that, I could go, mama, Mama se mama samu makusa. I don't know that made it in. But you can't lose with a mama. Say mama.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

But I'm really good at.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah. And Steve was adamant about the auga. I think at one point I was trying to, I was trying to casually play off the auga. Like it had just come to my mind. Like I went. Or like an auga. And Steve goes, no, no, no. It's like, you guys see?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah, okay.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

All right.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

You gotta do it, you gotta do it.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah. Aoga was in the script, I think where's the Beef was ad libbed and Mama se Mamu Samu Makusa was ad libbed and I'm not recalling the other ones.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Whereas now the beef is so excellent because it's such, it's so specific to a time and you know exactly who that mayor is. So New York, where I live, where you live. We've had a lot of famous and notorious mayors. Did you model yourself after anyone in particular? Any qualities?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

I would say that in regard to his personality qualities, I wasn't modeling him after anyone in particular, but in regard to wardrobe. I was channeling Mayor Adams a bit, actually, because I like the way he, I just, there's something very supremely sartorial about him. He's very conscious of the way he dresses and the way he looks. And I discussed that with the costume designer so that we had lots of Eric Adams reference photos that we were working from.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Well, that brings me to a question about flair. I noticed it the first day, you had a couple pins on. Right. So you always have a couple pins on your lapel. And I think they change throughout the season. Right.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Like, the ladies. Yeah.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

It's, like, very restrained, though. It's not like you work in an Applebee's. It's not, like, crazy. But I am tracking the pins. I'm like, oh, there's always a cause on his lapel. And where did that come from?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

We wanted to have some visual cues that gave off this information. And the information we wanted to give was he's always campaigning. He's always campaigning. So he's always spinning a plate for some cause so he can try to keep every single constituency in play. So there was that sense of. There's a. Okay, so that's cancer research. That's for this kind of cancer. This is just the state flag because he had to go up to. He had to go to Albany.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Whatever.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Albany.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

We were just talking about birth control. Yeah. The right to choose a Rooney. Yeah. This one is for this Big Apple is because. This is for the sanitation department. This one is for. Yeah, the.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

The. The.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

This union. That union. So. And. And we. We got a little carried away at the. At one of the fittings. And then, Pat, I think someone may have even said what you said. We don't look like an Applebee's.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

But.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

But we wanted. We wanted more than one or more than two.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

I think three was right about where we could do it. Yeah. Without it.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

No, it's, like, perfectly subtle. It's not a joke. It's not. Does tell you about him that he is. That he believes in a lot of causes, and those causes might change depending on who he's with.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Exactly.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right. What's up with Romy? I love that actress Caitlin Houlihan.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Wasn't she sweet?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

She was really sweet. She was a great actor. And in this episode, we learn that she's Bash's niece.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yes. Yes. Yeah. I think that's the best. It's one of the coolest reveals, is that you realize how overreaching Bash's influences.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

And that he seems to be the kind of person who's leaving nothing to chance.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

And I like that quality that you're going, oh, my gosh, I have eyes and ears on me all the time. To report back to him. It lets you know that Beau's under this duress.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

That Beau is beholden to these higher powers. And. And I think, you know, which is. Which is the nature of politics very often.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

But I, I. It was Nice. Because it. There's this 10 that plays for him throughout the entire season where he's like, I'm beholden to this person. I'm beholden to that person, and they know my every move.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

That is a great reveal with Romy. And at this point in the season, I'm curious, is she a suspect? Are we supposed to think that she might be involved with this? What's her story? Should we keep an eye on Romy, is my question.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah, I think you gotta keep an eye on Romy also, because she's so adorable. Like, for a mystery watcher, you're going to. That woman's too adorable.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Something's gotta be going on there. Like, what's her deal? Like, if I were watching the show and someone else were playing Bo Tillman, I would have been, no, no, no, no. What's the assistance deal? Yeah, yeah.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So in this whole season, these billionaires are vying for a license to build New York City's first casino. And I'm curious, are you a casino guy?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

You know, I have frequented casinos in the past. I'm not a big gambler, but I do gamble, you know, occasionally. And when I do, I always have fun doing it. It was interesting hearing about it. This plot point in this season where my brain. It planted that seed in my brain.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I go, that's interesting.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

There aren't any casinos in New York City. I mean, the city that has everything.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Right.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

That's one of the things we don't have. I thought it was a really intriguing plot point.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah. And so I sometimes text John, and I'm like, I think you're psychic. Because there's a lot of casino stuff going on in New York City. There's a lot of billionaire stuff going on in the world. There's stuff that, like, when they wrote this season, there's a lot of AI Stuff happening. When they wrote this season. I don't think it was as present as it is now. So I'm like, maybe Jon Hoffman is a little bit witchy. Maybe.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Yeah, maybe John's got a crystal ball.

[Patrick Howe]

Yeah.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

You know?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay, so we're going to play a game right now. It's our own little twist on a game of celebrity. All of the people I have on this list are people who have been on only murders in the building in past seasons. We have 90 seconds on the clock. We're gonna see how many you can get through.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Oh, geez. Okay, let's see if I can do this. Okay. All right.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay. And we're going to start now Superstar.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Superstar. Molly Shannon.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

He is a comedian, and he wore Christmas sweaters last season.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Oh, God. Pass, pass, pass.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Okay. This guy sings every breath you take. Every breath youh Take, Charles sister. Say again. He sings every breath youh take.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

A sting.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This guy is the most handsome man in the world. He's ageless. He's been in every season almost. He played a stunt person. He played a stunt person with an Irish accent.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

All right.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yep. This is the queen of all acting, Meryl Streep. This is snl. Mean Girls.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Tina Fey.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This. Oh, she was so good in the Holdovers. And she's our detective.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Oh, Devon.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This guy was in. I'm sweating. I'm getting so nervous. This guy is. He directed a lot of movies, and he was also in the one with Fonzie. The show with Fonzie.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Ron Howard.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. This is. He was in the Producers.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Nathan Lane.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This other guy was in the Producers.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Matthew Broderick.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

This guy has red hair and he played a cop on our show. And he's sort of Irish looking and sound. Bill Burr. No, no, no. He's a comedian. Oh, red hair.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Red. Oh, God. Why am I blanking on this person? 90 seconds.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Michael Rapaport. It was Michael Rappaport.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Michael Rapaport. Oh, my God.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

You did really good. I think I could have done better. I could have done better with the things. But anyway, thank you so much.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

Thank you. Thank you for having me.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I am now joined by our brilliant production designer, the man that makes our spaces, Patrick Howe. Hey, Patrick.

[Patrick Howe]

Michael.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Hello. All right, so there's a lot of new spaces in the building this year. Let's talk about one in this episode. Silver alert. I know this is not a space you built, but how did you visualize Bash's mansion?

[Patrick Howe]

It was an interesting project because of the initial description of a farmhouse and all of us creatives trying to concept just what it would be. And we wound up with this really regal estate mansion that I thought was commensurate with the Bash character, so it made sense to be there. So since that was a really beautiful location, a really nicely architecturally designed estate house from the 1920s. It was more about curating decor that was going to suit that character and the sort of tone of the episode.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So, Patrick, Yes, I would say one of our newest co stars, if you will, is this gaming parlor in the basement of the Arconia. The surprise gaming parlor. The velvet room, the casino. It is unreal. I remember the first time I walked into it. I had not seen it yet. John walked me from one Stage to another, turned on the lights and my breath was taken away. It is so remarkable.

[Patrick Howe]

Okay, great. Well, thank you for saying that. It was a lot of fun to do. It was the first thing that John and I worked on together in the Back in November when we were sort of laying out a season and concepting the ideas. And he had described a lot of interesting story that would happen there. And the manner in which he described things had very. I think I'd. We were probably talking before I could read anything. Maybe I'd read an initial description of maybe the first episode. He's very good at describing his intentions. And so in our conversations I really got an impression of what would be needed and that it was. And that it would really be kind of a home based set for the season that we. To me it sounded like we would be in there. There'd be cause to be in there more than anywhere else, you know, the season. So.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So you're brought in before any scripts are written for the season. As far as you have meetings about what these stages are gonna look like before any scripts are written. Written.

[Patrick Howe]

Kinda honestly, in a perfect world, they are written or it's about.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Is the world perfect, Patrick? Yeah.

[Patrick Howe]

Or the outline or there's some outlines written. But. So if we're talking about things that aren't written yet, it's because we need to. Because we know that it's gonna be something. And even though it's not quite on paper yet, it's time to talk about it. So in our conversations, I decided that where we decided it was definitely the space existed since the beginning of the building. It was, you know, and I rationalized former uses of it prior to it being a gaming parlor. So it wasn't designed as a gaming parlor. So what we're seeing is like a renovated space, but it had architectural bones from the beginning.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

What would you say the space was before?

[Patrick Howe]

So the premise was that it was stables under the courtyard. And then I just rationalized additional things like additional amenities. A large space of several floors and supporting several above ground floors above it is usually done with these certain kind of big scale arches, not unlike Grand Central Station. So I kind of went right to there, which is a space I love and pass through often.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So I do recognize it. Like there's so many arches and curves in that gaming room. And that does echo the downstairs part of the Grand Central. So we find this whole new world down the basement.

[Patrick Howe]

People.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

What was it like to create this world where the break room is, where Ursula's office is? Walk Us through where that actually physically is in our world where we film. Sure.

[Patrick Howe]

So it's fun to do spaces like that as well. I think the writer's intention was to see a contrast in the spaces. So it was important to design something that looked super plain and not finished and not decorated like the lobby or other. The other common hallways that all the tenants, shareholders have.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So you know what's funny about being in that space though is like, it's so real looking. Like I look up and is this. Wait, is this a set or did we. It feels so real. It feels like it's actually. It feels dirty, like it feels old. And I know it's not, but it actually feels dusty, dirty, damp and basementy when it's really just. You made it feel that way. That's impressive.

[Patrick Howe]

I'm glad that it does feel because.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I was like, I think there's mold in here and they're like, it's a set. It's not real. Calm down.

[Patrick Howe]

Yeah, exactly. So it, I mean, that's one of the things I try to do is like, like in the telling stories with pictures. I like everything to be as real as possible. Generally the material of a show, it's like that can be loose, that could be funny, that could be implausible. But the last thing that wants to be funny or implausible is the setting.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Space is where they are.

[Patrick Howe]

And I think the more real they are, the more it sells, whatever story you're telling. So I try to go as real as I can get.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I think you succeed. Oftentimes we all talk about it. We oftentimes forget we're on a set, which is a great feeling, especially when you're in like one of those apartments so cozy. Is there something you haven't had the chance to do on the show yet that you would love to do?

[Patrick Howe]

It's a great question. I do love all the things we have done, those styles. But what we don't do usually is anything futuristic.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

So.

[Patrick Howe]

Although we did have a little made up sci fi story that Ron Howard was allegedly directing last season.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah. A little nod, but.

[Patrick Howe]

But so really outer space futuristic things are kind of fun.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I don't know.

[Patrick Howe]

And there's probably a reason we haven't done that because I don't know how they would fit in our canvas and palette. But that's kind of a fun departure. I like doing those things because really no rules. It's just all. You're just making everything up. Everything.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Well, stick around till season 26. Right?

[Patrick Howe]

Exactly.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Keep watching.

[Patrick Howe]

Then we'll be in the future.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Totally. Thank you for being here and we'll see you soon. And now, MCC on hfm. Michael Cyril Creighton on Howard Francis Morris. Howard was not in this episode because he understands the concept of absence makes the heart grow fonder. And this was Michael Cyril Grayton on Howard Francis Morris. You're welcome. In this episode, we come face to face with the billionaires at Bash Steed's country house. So we're checking in with Christoph Waltz still in Germany, and I'm still in my five floor walk up. Thank you so much for doing this. At the beginning of this episode, a lot of suspicion is directed towards Bash. Right. And by the end, he's kind of cleared, even though he's like, slowly chasing the trio with a knife. Do you think the audience should stop suspecting Bash or should.

[Christoph Waltz]

No, never.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Never. Good answer.

[Christoph Waltz]

Absolutely. The audience, as a matter of obligation, you know, an audience obligation should never stop suspecting, fearing, worrying about anything. They should, because that's why they watch. Why you? Not they. We. That's why we watch stories, because we want to fear, worry and root and Route 4 and. And live through immensely difficult situations.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah.

[Christoph Waltz]

And rely on the safety and security of not having to bear the consequence in the end. So that's why stories are important because we live through it. The brain does the same. Same thing identical to living through the actual experience in reality when it is experienced in a story, really. So, yeah, the. Exactly. They tested it and, you know, with the. All the imaging that they can do. And the brain does exactly the same thing. So there you go.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah. We're not gonna cross Bash off the list. You know, I love that since season one, every audience member either believes that I am the killer or I am going to be killed. And it's every single season. And I love that the ambiguity is there and people think what they want and sometimes, you know, sometimes they might be right. I have no idea.

[Christoph Waltz]

Exactly. One day both will happen.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yes. One day both will happen. I will be killed and a killer. When we meet the billionaires again in this episode, we're sort of led to believe that they're doing something nefarious, that they're harvesting organs, but they're actually just playing a game of operation.

[Christoph Waltz]

I know that that's what you see, but is that.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Oh, are they doing. Oh, I'm naive. I thought. I took it for face value. So the country house, Bash's country house. A lot was going on there. Was that. Had you ever been to Connecticut before? Or was it in well, no, it.

[Christoph Waltz]

Was Long island, but then.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah, Long Island. Subbing for Connecticut. Right. Had you been around that much taxidermy in your life?

[Christoph Waltz]

Yes. I mean, around. Depends on. I. I don't have it in my. In my house. But. But there is a taxidermy museum in Paris which has, you know, everything. Yeah, yeah, it's. It's just incredible. That was. That was kindergarten. Compared to that, of course, that was nothing.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

I'll have to go to that. Yeah, you do for me in this episode. Besides you. Christoph Waltz One of the unsung heroes. One of the greatest performances this season is that little kid playing Algy. He is so funny. He was so creepy. He's definitely. He'll be in the character actor hall of fame in 50 years. Is it time for my gesunde lei, my boy? What was it like working with him?

[Christoph Waltz]

Usually it's difficult and very easy at the same time. Difficult because you need to leave them alone. You just need to leave kids alone. Because if you start interfering with kids, then what. What makes it unique and extraordinary all goes down the drain. And that's a. You know, you have to control your urge to. To help them, to micromanage or. Or be of assistance as a professional. All that. Not a good idea. Leave them alone. Be nice, friendly. Not overly indulgent either, because they know immediately how to take advantage of that. And there goes the innocence, the priceless quality. So I think everybody understood that in a way. And he was treated like another actor. And since this was such a. Such a friendly and relaxed set and atmosphere anyway, there was nothing threatening to him and he just did. The director told him what to do and he did it, and that's that. And he did it like he would. And that's exploring him.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Yeah, I would love to get back to that, like, shade of innocence in performance, you know.

[Christoph Waltz]

Too late, too late, Too late.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Way too late.

[Christoph Waltz]

Tempe Passati. Never again.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Thank you so much for doing this. It was such a pleasure. I know we're gonna see more of Bash the rest of this season. I can't wait to see what he's up to. And thanks so much. I can't wait till we cross paths again.

[Christoph Waltz]

Thanks. Take care. Be well.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Well, that's it for today's episode. Join us next week when we talk to the Arconia's resident therapist, Dr. Grover Stanley, played by Russell G. Jones, co writer of episode eight, McKenna Thurber, set decorator Mila Kalovich, and casting director Tiffany Little Canfield. See you next week. Until then, stay alive. Watch and listen to the Only Murders in the Building official podcast available on Hulu and wherever you get your podcasts. And don't miss Only Murders in the Building now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney for bundle subscribers. Terms apply.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

The writers and John are very adept at their cliffhangers and how you set cliffhangers up.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

Did you just say set the fingers up?

[Keegan-Michael Key]

I don't think I said fingers. Did I say fingers?

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

There's just fingers are such a big part of the season.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

I know, right? Exactly. Maybe I subliminally said it and didn't even know I said it. A 20 year old soldier goes missing from a US army base.

[Michael Cyril Creighton]

How can she go missing on a military base? That's too ridiculous.

[Keegan-Michael Key]

What would come to light is horrifying and ignites a movement that sparks a reckoning in the US Military. Listen to Vanished what Happened to Vanessa? A new series from ABC Audio in 2020. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.