Who doesn’t love Steve Martin and Martin Short? Wait, who doesn’t love Selena Gomez? This amazing trio could not create a better comedy series than the one streaming on Hulu and Disney Plus. Only Murders in the Building was released in 2021, and the production is still ongoing, with funny and hilariously mystique 3 seasons streaming currently, and the 4th season is on the way.

The comedy series is well-known and has become the viewers’ favorite for several reasons. Despite the cast that involved even Meryl Streep, the series was released at a time when people needed more humor but there was no big choice. Probably you would agree that after Seinfeld, Friends, and Modern Family, the TV productions slowed down, mostly offering us mediocre comedies. And that’s okay because great things happen not that frequently but Only Murders in the Building can be considered the next great thing in the streaming world.

In this article, we will uncover a few angles of its popularity, trying to explain the ways how these series, led by the outstanding cast, became a must-watch for comedy fans.

Oliver’s Blackjack-inspired game and not only

The quirky charm of Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) shines through with his obsession with true crime and his bizarre party game, “Son of Sam.” While not directly blackjack, the game has some inspiration from the hidden information and strategy that can be found in card games like blackjack.

I could assume that some people had already realized the connection between the two games. That’s right, Son of Sam is not something popular, but blackjack is one of the beloved games today, especially in the world of online gaming, where players are offered from online blackjack real money options to team competitions and tournaments.

But for those who don’t know much about the game, let’s explain further: In blackjack, players must carefully weigh the value of their cards against the dealer’s hidden hand, making calculated decisions to try and reach 21 without going bust. Similarly, in “Son of Sam,” players are assigned secret roles, with one unlucky participant designated as the “killer.”

This element of surprise and hidden roles adds a layer of playful mystery that reflects the show’s core themes of deception, suspicion, and the thrill of the unknown. Just like in blackjack, where a seemingly innocent hand can suddenly turn into a winning combination, the characters in Only Murders in the Building are constantly surprising the audience with their hidden depths and motivations.

True Crime Obsession with a Twist

It is not a secret that we’re all a little obsessed with true crime, and we have always been, but recently our obsession has grown amid the popularity of true crime podcasts, literature and documentaries. However, “Only Murders in the Building” is another story told from a completely different angle with creativity and fun, of course.

Instead of those serious detectives with haunted looks, we get Charles, Mabel, and Oliver – three neighbors who have been connected around the same interest and decided to record their own podcast about true crimes that happen in the same building where three of them live. Sure, they’re dedicated to solving that Arconia building mystery, but they’re also adorably clueless sometimes. Guess what? They are pretty much successful and even have a large audience listening to them, but don’t think of them as very serious podcasters, since they can dedicate some time and effort to match their outfits for the podcast… Hilarious.

The show pokes fun at all the true-crime tropes – the nosy neighbors, the over-the-top theories, even podcasts within podcasts. It feels like the writers are just as obsessed with those shows as we are and have just taken it a step further into the absurd, which makes it even funnier. It’s that perfect balance of genuine intrigue (who IS the killer?) and knowing how ridiculous the whole thing is.

The Building Is a Character All on Its Own

Think about it – the Arconia building isn’t just a setting, it practically has its own starring role. It’s one of those old, grand New York buildings with endless hallways, quirky residents, and probably tons of secrets hidden behind those walls.

Every nook and cranny feels like it could hold a clue. That creepy hidden passage they found? That weird guy who always lurks in the basement? Even the elevators – you can just sense the decades of stories within them. It’s like the Arconia itself is in on the whole mystery.

This adds another layer of fun to the whole show. You’re not just focused on the murder – you’re exploring this weird, fascinating microcosm of New York City life. Every time the show takes us to a new apartment or hidden room, it’s like opening a little surprise box – you never know what you’re going to find.