Open and Shut
- Episode aired Oct 19, 2021
- TV-MA
- 35m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
4.8K
YOUR RATING
In the season finale, the trio races toward a resolution while their own lives are put in danger.In the season finale, the trio races toward a resolution while their own lives are put in danger.In the season finale, the trio races toward a resolution while their own lives are put in danger.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Charles' phone plays "Fields of Gold", it goes straight to the opening vocal (and also shows that the song had 3:39 left to play). However, the song actually has 18 seconds of introductory music before Sting sings, and the whole song actually lasts for 3:41.
- GoofsThe door color changes from white to black at the end when Charles and Oliver go to Mabel's apartment, compared to when the NYPD cops burst in just moments later. The door is also left open initially but it is closed when smashed in by the police.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards (2022)
Featured review
Season One Review
One for the "better late than never" pile here, as the Guardians top TV of 2021 list finally pointed me in the direction of Disney Plus Original (in the UK) "Only Murders in the Building". A charming and affable sitcom, that includes two comedy legends and a twisty meta plot.
Three true-crime podcast devotees, struggling actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), down on his luck Director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and artist Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) are delighted when a murder in their own apartment complex gives them a chance to conduct their own investigation and produce their own effort. Their inquiries undercover a myriad of secrets about their neighbours, but they are also keeping secrets about themselves, even from each other.
Tonally, it takes a little bit of getting used too. There are some farcical elements and physical comedy from both Martin and Short. There are various meta jokes as their podcast on the show "Only Murders in the Building" becomes popular and aspects of the podcast format are mirrored in the actual show. That Martin and Short are good was perhaps to be expected, but Gomez is perhaps the real surprise package (though she shouldn't be, she's been making interesting choices post Disney channel for years). She carries most of the heart of the series, as her relationship with the dead man is revealed. Her sardonic delivery works perfectly with her two, sillier co-stars too. You can also include legends like Tina Fey, Nathan Lane and Jane Lynch in the cast as well as good performances from Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Jayne Houdyshell and Amy Ryan.
Comedy is subjective, obviously and I can imagine that some people might not gel with that particular tone of the show. But it worked for me, and was linked to a logical and interesting case, which ends with an immediate cliff-hanger for the second season.
Three true-crime podcast devotees, struggling actor Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), down on his luck Director Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) and artist Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) are delighted when a murder in their own apartment complex gives them a chance to conduct their own investigation and produce their own effort. Their inquiries undercover a myriad of secrets about their neighbours, but they are also keeping secrets about themselves, even from each other.
Tonally, it takes a little bit of getting used too. There are some farcical elements and physical comedy from both Martin and Short. There are various meta jokes as their podcast on the show "Only Murders in the Building" becomes popular and aspects of the podcast format are mirrored in the actual show. That Martin and Short are good was perhaps to be expected, but Gomez is perhaps the real surprise package (though she shouldn't be, she's been making interesting choices post Disney channel for years). She carries most of the heart of the series, as her relationship with the dead man is revealed. Her sardonic delivery works perfectly with her two, sillier co-stars too. You can also include legends like Tina Fey, Nathan Lane and Jane Lynch in the cast as well as good performances from Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Jayne Houdyshell and Amy Ryan.
Comedy is subjective, obviously and I can imagine that some people might not gel with that particular tone of the show. But it worked for me, and was linked to a logical and interesting case, which ends with an immediate cliff-hanger for the second season.
helpful•40
- southdavid
- Oct 26, 2022
Details
- Runtime35 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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