The real crime of Only Murders is that it didn't win more Emmys

Since its premiere on Hulu in 2021 Only murders in the building has been nominated for an Emmy many times, but has never really received the recognition it deserves. Even at the 2024 Emmys, which will be presented later in September, the series was passed over in the Comedy Series Writing category. That's a small sin, because co-creators Steve Martin and John Hoffman managed to create a comedy-mystery series in which there are plenty of laughs and the mysteries are plausible and surprising. To achieve either of these feats is impressive; to achieve both is indeed Emmy-worthy.

Not that Only murders There's a complete lack of attention or awards. The show has won four Emmys so far – but only one for an actor, for guest star Nathan Lane in 2022. But each year the show finds ways to showcase its regular and guest stars more creatively. And this year, for the first time, all three of the series' main actors are nominated.

And rightly so: Martin as former TV detective Charles-Haden Savage and Martin Short as former Broadway director Oliver Putnam are both unbearably egotistical and painfully insecure – and sporadically delightfully funny. And Selena Gomez as mystery podcasting fan Mabel Mora is as droll and dry as Short's Oliver is snappy and over-the-top.

The new season of Only murders in the building takes this unusual trio to a new setting – but only temporarily. Due to the success of their previous seasons as crime solvers, the three podcast partners are flown to Hollywood, where a film producer hopes to buy their life rights and make a film about their adventures.

The film manager is played by Molly Shannon, formerly of Saturday Night Live, who throws a glamorous party for the newcomers. At the party, she tries to impress them by introducing them to the actors who will play their on-screen counterparts.

When the film is greenlit, Charles, Oliver and Mabel return to their familiar New York apartment complex. There, a recently discovered bullet hole in the window of Charles' apartment leads them to suspect that he may have been the target of a murder. They also suspect that the sniper may have been taking aim from one of the apartments across the courtyard.

Charles observes the behavior of the residents of the West Tower and then calls his podcast partners to discuss his suspicions. At this point Only murders becomes the comedic equivalent of Rear window. Like James Stewart in that famous Hitchcock film, our heroes expect evil to be afoot on the other side of the road. But the way these three conduct their voyeuristic explorations highlights their very different and very funny personalities.

Both of the fourth season's storylines – the movie being shot and a new murder in the building – make way for a small commuter plane full of guest stars, all of whom come to play and give us a great time. And almost all of them Only murders Actors who were nominated for Emmys this year in various supporting categories are back, including Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep. And Jane Lynch, Melissa McCarthy, Scott Bakula and Richard Kind are also here.

They're all wonderful. Streep and Rudd in particular do a great job: with their screen time and their unsparing performances, they could easily be considered series regulars. The show's writing is on par, as are the show's three leads. When Streep shares intimate or sad or joyful scenes with Short, they all work. There's a big influx of talent joining Short this season. Only murders in the building – but the new and returning faces don't overshadow the stars. They shine and act just like them.