The August 2021 Hulu comedy-mystery starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as true crime podcast hosts investigating murders in their NYC apartment building that became phenomenon through generational chemistry and meta commentary.

The Concept

True crime podcast murder mystery:

The trio:

• Charles (Steve Martin): Washed-up actor
• Oliver (Martin Short): Broke theater director
• Mabel (Selena Gomez): Mysterious young artist

Setup: Neighbor murdered in The Arconia (luxury NYC building), trio starts podcast while investigating.

Format: Comedy-mystery hybrid, 30-minute episodes.

Generational Chemistry

Unlikely trio magic:

• Steve Martin (76) + Martin Short (71) + Selena Gomez (29)
• Age gap: 47 years
• Chemistry: Immediate, natural
• Gomez holds her own with comedy legends

The pairing shouldn’t have worked—but perfectly did.

Steve Martin/Martin Short

Comedy legend reunion:

• Decades of friendship (Three Amigos, tours)
• Natural banter, improvisation
• “Bitch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” energy
• Their podcasting incompetence hilarious

The duo: Carrying show’s humor while Gomez grounds it.

Selena Gomez

Dramatic evolution:

• Post-Disney, post-music career phase
• First major acting role in years
• Deadpan comedy delivery
• Proved dramatic chops

The role: Unexpected career renaissance.

Season 1 Mystery

Tim Kono whodunnit:

• Murder victim: Reclusive neighbor
• Suspects: Building residents
• Twist: Mabel’s childhood friend connection
• Reveal: Jan (Amy Ryan) - bassoonist girlfriend killer

The mystery: Genuinely surprising resolution.

Season 2: Bunny

Escalation (2022):

• Building board president murdered
• Trio framed, must clear names
• Shirley MacLaine guest star
• Cara Delevingne as Alice (Mabel’s girlfriend)

The stakes raised—personal jeopardy increased.

Season 3: Paul Rudd

Broadway murder (2023):

• Paul Rudd as Ben Glenroy (actor murdered opening night)
• Meryl Streep as Loretta (Oliver’s love interest)
• Broadway setting
• Andrea Martin, Ashley Park

The guest stars: Ever-escalating prestige.

Meta Commentary

True crime satire:

• Podcasting culture mockery
• Obsessive fans (themselves)
• Ethics of entertainment from tragedy
• Sarah Koenig (Serial) cameo

The show: Love letter and critique simultaneously.

The Arconia

Character itself:

• Based on real NYC buildings (The Belnord, The Ansonia)
• Wealthy, eccentric residents
• Architectural beauty
• NYC fantasy apartment

The building: Aspirational setting for murder.

Sting Appearance

Season 1 highlight:

• Sting lives in building, plays himself
• “Sting, can I call you Sting? Can I call you?” (Martin Short)
• Self-aware celebrity cameo
• Actually integral to plot

The casting: Perfect meta celebrity usage.

Awards Recognition

Critical acclaim:

• Emmy nominations for Martin, Short, Gomez
• Outstanding Comedy Series nominations
• Golden Globe nominations
• SAG Awards

The recognition: Validated comedy-mystery hybrid.

Hulu Success

Platform defining:

• Hulu’s flagship comedy
• Drove subscriptions
• Proved star power + concept combination

The show: Rare broadcast-style hit in streaming.

Legacy

Only Murders in the Building demonstrated intergenerational casting’s potential, true crime’s satirical possibilities, and how traditional mystery format could thrive in streaming through star chemistry and smart writing.

Sources:

• Variety: “How Only Murders Became Hulu’s Biggest Hit” (2021)
• Hulu viewership data (2021-2023)
• Emmy nominations (2022-2023)
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Selena Gomez’s Comeback” (2021)