I also love only Murders, but I’m pretty sure I’d watch it if it was bad cause of Steve and Marty. So that keeps me from knowing if it’s actually good.
I was kinda shocked it is a hit! Even though I watched it as it came out the way God (aka TV) intended.
Right?!?! Because of the two of them, it could really be anything! And it's SUCH a hit! And I guess my question is: why are we shocked it's a hit?!?! I feel vindicated that you are also surprised by this.
I've been starting to wonder if part of it is a little ageism on my part? Like maybe I think, "Well of course I love these two men because I am a comedy person, but other people would just think they're old guys." I'm not consciously having that thought, but I can't seem to put my finger on what it is about the show that makes it feel like it shouldn't be so popular.
Well if those two guaranteed hits, then why are most of their movies unsuccessful? I’ve always accepted that Martin Short is a bit hammy for people who enjoy comedy but aren’t into comedy. He’s perfect for a talk show but not as a lead.
Even Steve, his last big hits were a long time ago and sometimes were things like Father of the Bride… but how much of that movie is him?
But I even enjoyed My Blue Heaven and Innerspace. Neither were hits or remembered (three amigos bombed but is at least remembered fondly). So I can’t trust my judgment with comedians who were big when I was young.
And as you said. Nothing else in the show is enough to overshadow those two. The premise and characters they play aren’t so interesting.
Ugh. I guess my answer is “it’s just luck?” Like The Office wouldn’t sound good to me if pitched. So that doesn’t matter. And so it’s down to why does this work and why can’t we recognize that it works?
The first I don’t know. The second is because I’ve been wrong too many times before that I struggle to trust my judgement as proof a thing is good without hearing others opinions.
Ok so now, THIS is extra interesting!! First- you made me remember after Season 1, my main thought was, "Wow, Martin Short is great in this. It's amazing that they finally found him a comedy role outside of sketch where he's not annoying. His too-much-ness is perfect here!" So that's a really good point. And you're right- they don't guarantee success! I hadn't thought of that.
Second, you're also so right- the older I get, the more I'm like, "I don't know ANYTHING, and probably shouldn't ever make any comments about anything." Whoops! Shouldn't have started this Substack.
BUT MAYBE- maybe it goes back to why I like this role so much for Martin Short. They packed his wackiness into a building that's very specific and very real. The whole show is totally wacky AND totally grounded at the same time. So maybe they just nailed the tone? But they only nailed it because of the Martins so....I'll just keep going back and forth forever!
Your point on how great actors can sell not-so-great writing was a new idea to me. I think so often it's easy to blame bad writing (or sometimes attribute too much credit to good writing). The actor also has a part to play and it's not insignificant!
I watched the first season of Only Murders and liked it and...never watched the other seasons. I do that a lot. I have like 3 shows I rewatch and everything else seems to fall by the wayside.
Oh yeah, I really hate to admit it, but I think acting might be more important than writing?!? Or, really, it has more potential to make something GREAT.
My top 3 rewatch shows are Bob's Burgers, Avatar: the Last Airbender, and I Think You Should Leave. My husband meticulously took notes while we rewatched Bob's Burgers haha.
I also love only Murders, but I’m pretty sure I’d watch it if it was bad cause of Steve and Marty. So that keeps me from knowing if it’s actually good.
I was kinda shocked it is a hit! Even though I watched it as it came out the way God (aka TV) intended.
Right?!?! Because of the two of them, it could really be anything! And it's SUCH a hit! And I guess my question is: why are we shocked it's a hit?!?! I feel vindicated that you are also surprised by this.
I've been starting to wonder if part of it is a little ageism on my part? Like maybe I think, "Well of course I love these two men because I am a comedy person, but other people would just think they're old guys." I'm not consciously having that thought, but I can't seem to put my finger on what it is about the show that makes it feel like it shouldn't be so popular.
Well if those two guaranteed hits, then why are most of their movies unsuccessful? I’ve always accepted that Martin Short is a bit hammy for people who enjoy comedy but aren’t into comedy. He’s perfect for a talk show but not as a lead.
Even Steve, his last big hits were a long time ago and sometimes were things like Father of the Bride… but how much of that movie is him?
But I even enjoyed My Blue Heaven and Innerspace. Neither were hits or remembered (three amigos bombed but is at least remembered fondly). So I can’t trust my judgment with comedians who were big when I was young.
And as you said. Nothing else in the show is enough to overshadow those two. The premise and characters they play aren’t so interesting.
Ugh. I guess my answer is “it’s just luck?” Like The Office wouldn’t sound good to me if pitched. So that doesn’t matter. And so it’s down to why does this work and why can’t we recognize that it works?
The first I don’t know. The second is because I’ve been wrong too many times before that I struggle to trust my judgement as proof a thing is good without hearing others opinions.
Hahaha. I just took a long time to say “I don’t know”
Ok so now, THIS is extra interesting!! First- you made me remember after Season 1, my main thought was, "Wow, Martin Short is great in this. It's amazing that they finally found him a comedy role outside of sketch where he's not annoying. His too-much-ness is perfect here!" So that's a really good point. And you're right- they don't guarantee success! I hadn't thought of that.
Second, you're also so right- the older I get, the more I'm like, "I don't know ANYTHING, and probably shouldn't ever make any comments about anything." Whoops! Shouldn't have started this Substack.
BUT MAYBE- maybe it goes back to why I like this role so much for Martin Short. They packed his wackiness into a building that's very specific and very real. The whole show is totally wacky AND totally grounded at the same time. So maybe they just nailed the tone? But they only nailed it because of the Martins so....I'll just keep going back and forth forever!
Your point on how great actors can sell not-so-great writing was a new idea to me. I think so often it's easy to blame bad writing (or sometimes attribute too much credit to good writing). The actor also has a part to play and it's not insignificant!
I watched the first season of Only Murders and liked it and...never watched the other seasons. I do that a lot. I have like 3 shows I rewatch and everything else seems to fall by the wayside.
Oh yeah, I really hate to admit it, but I think acting might be more important than writing?!? Or, really, it has more potential to make something GREAT.
I'm curious which three shows you rewatch!?
My top 3 rewatch shows are Bob's Burgers, Avatar: the Last Airbender, and I Think You Should Leave. My husband meticulously took notes while we rewatched Bob's Burgers haha.