When it first appeared last year, this whip-smart murder mystery comedy about a true-crime obsessed trio was a surprise critical hit. But what a joy it was.
Steve Martin at his awkward best as a semi-retired former detective drama actor, Martin Short returning to our screens as a preening and secretly skint Broadway director, and Selena Gomez as their mysterious snarky neighbour, the trio linked only by their vicinity in the Arconia – a grand old New York apartment block – and their mutual obsession with true crime podcasts.
When their neighbour turned up dead, they knew just what to do. Only Murders In The Building became the odd throuple comedy we didn’t know we needed during these serious times. Genuinely funny, knowing and arch, stylishly filmed and fully involving, as a labyrinthine murder mystery enveloped the three central stars. What could be better? A cameo from Sting, as himself? You got it.
If we tuned in for the pure delight at seeing old pals Martin and Short (or should that be Steve and Martin?) back together so many years after Three Amigos and Father of The Bride, we stayed for a show of real ingenuity, warmth and wit.
The first season wrapped up the original murder mystery, established the trio as podcasting heroes and left us on a massive cliffhanger. Job done. So why was Mabel found covered in blood over the body of their loathed building supervisor Bunny? All will be revealed.
The world of Only Murders… expands in season two. So for Charles-Haden Savage (Steven Martin), there’s a second chance at stardom with a reboot of his iconic 1980s police series Brazzo in the works. It offers Martin another chance to showcase his skill at playing the inner pain as his alter ego’s pride takes a constant battering.
