‘Only Murders in the Building’ Stars and Creator on Traveling to L.A. and Taking “Experimental Leap” in Season 4

‘Only Murders in the Building’ Stars and Creator on Traveling to L.A. and Taking “Experimental Leap” in Season 4

As a devoted fan of Only Murders in the Building, I couldn’t be more thrilled about the fourth season! The prospect of Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez unraveling a mystery in the City of Angels is nothing short of exhilarating. Growing up in California, it feels like a dream come true to see my hometown becoming an integral part of this beloved series.


In the latest chapter of our thrilling Hulu comedy “Only Murders in the Building,” I’m once again joining Steve Martin, Martin Short, and the talented Selena Gomez, as we dive headfirst into solving another mind-boggling murder mystery. Let’s crack this case!

Having spent the majority of my life in bustling New York City, I’ve grown accustomed to its iconic skyline and vibrant energy. So, when I heard that my favorite comedy series was venturing outside of their familiar apartment building setting for the very first time, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. The thought of our beloved trio exploring unfamiliar territory in sunny Los Angeles for the season premiere episode was as exhilarating as it was surprising! It will be interesting to see how they navigate this new environment and adapt to its unique charm. I can’t wait to join them on their adventure and witness yet another exciting chapter in the life of my favorite television characters.

At the Paramount Studios’ premiere on Thursday, the cast and showrunner John Hoffman discussed with The Hollywood Reporter how the fourth season of the Emmy-winning series enlarges its world.

“Clearly, our cast is fantastic, and we’re headed to Hollywood,” Gomez stated, expressing that this new version raises the bar even higher. “It was quite enjoyable to film briefly for a moment.”

“Martin shared that it brought back fond memories to return to this place where he spent a significant amount of time, not just growing up but also living for a long period,” he said.

“Hoffman mentioned that since our series features a stunt double from Hollywood as one of our victims this season, and given the popularity of our podcast, it seemed plausible that Hollywood might express interest in adapting it. Therefore, it felt fitting to explore Los Angeles for a while, but we’re ultimately rooted in New York City and will always remain so.”

As someone who has spent over two decades in the television industry, I must say that this season of the series is truly pushing boundaries in a way I haven’t seen before. The use of found-footage, captured via cell phones and security cameras instead of traditional television cameras, adds a level of authenticity and realism that I find incredibly refreshing. It’s clear that the creators are not afraid to experiment and take risks, which is something I deeply appreciate as someone who values innovation in storytelling. The decision to use this approach shows a willingness to adapt to new technologies and push the medium forward, and I can’t wait to see where they go from here.

“Martin found it incredibly enjoyable to work on the sixth episode of the season as they had access to tiny cameras, iPhones, and concealed recording devices,” he explained. “Moreover, the excitement lay in the fact that once you’ve obtained the equipment, it was yours to keep.”

“In episode six,” Hoffman explained, “we made a bold step into more unconventional territory. This idea was sparked by our exploration of films and movies throughout the season. Since movies are still relatively new, having been around for less than a century, we decided to try something different – an entire episode shot entirely from various camera angles, to see how it would feel.”

“As for my approach to acting, I find that a more carefree, unpolished vibe suits me well, just like Marty’s performance style,” I chuckled. “Absolutely, the process of filming those particular scenes was enjoyable.”

In one portion of the episode, Michael Cyril Creighton’s character, Howard Morris, operates as the camera operator, using an iPhone for filming.

In one particular scene, Creighton explained that he himself operated the camera. There are also a few scenes where he appears on-camera and even switches the camera’s position, but generally, he collaborated with one of our exceptional camera operators, Dan, in a sort of dance-like maneuver for most of the episode filming.

As a devoted fan since day one, I must confess that when I first learned about the experimental episode, I harbored some doubts. However, once I laid my eyes on the finished product, all those reservations vanished.

Creighton remarked, “We filmed each scene multiple times, often as many as three or four takes, and it was quite extraordinary! I didn’t know how they were going to manage it, but when I finally saw the result, I was astounded. The director’s imagination, the skill of the editors, and the writers’ creativity all came together beautifully.”

“Hoffman noted that everyone embraced it, and it provided an unusual twist to the series, making the season feel fresh and unique.”

The fourth season of “Only Murders in the Building” is set to debut on Hulu on August 27th, releasing new episodes every week following that date.

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2024-08-24 03:55