Martin Short on Only Murders in the Building: Season 5, What’s Next, and Why Oliver Still Matters

Martin Short on the Future of ‘Only Murders in the Building

As Only Murders in the Building barrels toward its most star-studded chapter yet, Martin Short is reflecting on where the series has been—and where it could go next. The comedy legend, who plays indefatigable Broadway director Oliver Putnam, has been candid about the show’s future, the pressures that come with Emmy attention, and even why he didn’t lean on a certain beloved alter ego while hosting a primetime game show.

This guide brings you up to speed on Season 5’s release plans and plot teases, the awards momentum humming in the background, and how Short is thinking about the endgame—without losing sight of what makes Oliver, Charles, and Mabel such keepers.

Season 5 at a glance: date, rollout, and the case that hits home

Circle September 9, 2025. That’s when Only Murders in the Building returns, dropping three episodes on day one before moving to a weekly cadence. The setup is personal: the suspicious death of the Arconia’s longtime doorman, Lester, sends Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) down a path lined with billionaires, old-school mob ties, and the building’s own buried secrets. Trailer clues point to a darker, grittier New York—and a mystery the trio can’t keep at arm’s length.

The guest list reads like a mini–film festival: Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, Christoph Waltz, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Cannavale, Téa Leoni, and more orbit the returning ensemble (Meryl Streep, Nathan Lane, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, et al.). Few comedies juggle this much marquee wattage without losing their tone; Only Murders has made it part of the fun.

“How long can we keep killing in the Arconia?”: Short on the show’s future

Asked about the road beyond Season 5, Short framed the answer the way seasoned performers do: story first. The show’s longevity, he suggested, will hinge on whether the writers keep finding cases that feel organic to the characters rather than gimmicky—or geographically unmoored for the sake of novelty. He’s delighted the series has made it this far, and he’s open to where it goes next if the scripts stay that good. (That read comes from his recent awards-season sit-down, where he also shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes about the cast’s chemistry and the “best kind of homework” that is New York City.)

There’s a practical backdrop here: Season 5 arrives with fresh momentum, and the trio’s rapport hasn’t dimmed. But Short’s measured optimism—celebrate the run, protect the show’s integrity—tracks with how Only Murders has operated since day one: a hangout vibe powered by careful construction.

Why Oliver still steals scenes (and hearts)

Oliver Putnam works because he’s ridiculous and real in the same beat. On paper he’s a blustery director forever one backer away from disaster. On screen he’s a softie in showman’s clothing: fiercely loyal to his friends, tender with Loretta (Meryl Streep), and just self-aware enough to laugh at his own theatricality. Short’s performance locates the ache beneath the arrogance, so even the silliest Oliver bit lands with a little soul.

That balance is one reason awards bodies keep calling. Short is back in the hunt for Lead Actor in a Comedy, with pundits noting he could make a bit of history if he wins. The recognition matters less for trophy-tallying than for what it signals: Only Murders is executing at a level where character work and crowd-pleasing mystery coexist.

Season 5’s tonal promise: cozier chaos, sharper edges

If you’ve watched the trailer frame-by-frame (you’re among friends), you’ve clocked the shift: Only Murders is leaning into city power dynamics—old money, new money, and the underworlds that broker both. The stakes feel more physical (yes, that gnarly clue in the mail), yet the series’ signature warmth remains intact. That’s the trick the show keeps pulling: you come for the puzzle, you stay for the people, and you leave with a quotable Oliver meltdown.

Expect the craft to keep pace. The series’ Emmy track record in everything from design to sound isn’t a coincidence; it’s an ethos. When the Arconia’s lobby looks lived-in and a single musical cue tells a joke, the mystery lands cleaner—and the heart stuff sneaks up on you.

Why he didn’t host Match Game as Jiminy Glick (and why that’s smart)

Short also addressed a fan-fantasy: hosting a primetime game show in character as Jiminy Glick. He explained that a broadcast network game like Match Game demands a baseline of inviting, contestant-forward energy that’s at odds with Glick’s spiky, roast-ready persona; playing it as himself kept the spotlight where it belongs—on the players and the play. (That’s our plain-English paraphrase of his reasoning from the same conversation.) The takeaway: sometimes preserving a character’s bite means not putting him in the wrong sandbox.

The award-season hum in the background

Even if you’re “just here for the murders,” awards chatter shapes perception—and can extend a show’s lifespan. The series and Short are back on ballots, and the buzz dovetails with a late-career victory lap for both he and Steve Martin. That spotlight isn’t just nostalgia; it’s fuel for a fifth season that’s framing the trio as New York fixtures, not just podcasting curios.

What success looks like in Season 5 (and beyond)

1) Case logic that respects the characters. Killing the doorman is a bold move because it re-centers the Arconia as more than a backdrop; it’s a community with memory—and consequences.

2) Guest stars as accelerants, not detours. Renée Zellweger and Christoph Waltz can chew scenery with the best of them, but the show’s sweet spot is when marquee names complicate our trio’s decisions rather than hijack them.

3) Oliver’s heart as a compass. Whether producing a musical or a podcast episode, Oliver thrives when he’s fighting for his people. Short’s instincts keep the character from becoming a catchphrase machine—and that, more than any twist, is what gives Only Murders rewatch value.

New to the show? Quick primer to catch up fast

Premise: Three neighbors, one true-crime obsession, multiple murders, countless perfect coats.
Best entry points: Season 1 (“Tim Kono”) to fall in love with the formula; Season 3 for peak backstage chaos; Season 4’s finale for the handoff into the new mystery.
Where to watch: Hulu (U.S.); Disney+ in many international territories. Season 5 premieres Sept. 9 with three episodes, then weekly.

Final word: protect the vibe, keep the surprises

Short’s stance on the future doubles as a mission statement: quality over inertia. If Season 5 plays the way the trailer suggests—riskier, moodier, and still laugh-first—the show will have earned the right to choose its own exit…or a fresh encore. Either way, Oliver’s blueprint remains unshakable: lead with heart, land the joke, and never underestimate a Broadway director with a murder board.

Key dates: Season 5 premieres September 9, 2025 (three-episode launch, then weekly). Awards chatter includes Short’s latest Lead Actor nod. Keep an eye on the guest list; this may be the most stacked season yet.