Only Murders In The Building
Hooked on Classic Comedy: Why This Show is a Must-Watch
I started watching this show over the weekend, and by the end of the first episode, I was completely hooked. It’s a stellar return to form for comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short, with Selena Gomez rounding out the trio as the perfect foil to their antics (and, naturally, getting some of the biggest laughs in the process).
I’ve been a Steve Martin fan since the 80s, and The Jerk, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles are among my all-time favourite films. Martin Short has been equally brilliant over the years. I first saw him in the wonderfully zany sci-fi comedy Innerspace, and his performance in the Hallmark adaptation of the Arthurian legend, Merlin, remains a highlight of his career.
It’s 2024 now, and while we’re all a bit older, neither of these two comedy giants has lost an ounce of their charm, comedic timing, or ability to weave in heartfelt drama when it’s called for. The show’s balance between surreal humour, slapstick, clever fourth-wall breaks, and its touching portrayal of the trio’s relationships is just spot on. All of this is beautifully set against a theme and score that has quickly become one of my favourite TV themes ever.
I have a lot of standout moments from the first series, but there are a few that top the list. There’s an episode that is nearly silent, following a character who is profoundly deaf, yet still filled with visual comedy gems, like a Scrabble game packed with double-entendres. And the finale—everyone shines here, but Steve Martin’s slapstick performance is pure genius, the kind of scene that has you laughing long after it’s over.
I’ve now started season two, with seasons three and four lined up next. Plus, Hulu/Disney+ has renewed it for a fifth season. Much like Death in Paradise, another of my all-time favourite series, the show’s setting manages to make you laugh even as it racks up quite the murder count. But, of course, none of that matters; you’d want to visit this place just to spend time with these wonderfully quirky characters.