Why did Hulu kill the jokes in ‘Only Murders in the Building’ season 5?

When Only Murders in the Building Season 5 dropped on Hulu, fans were eager to see if the beloved trio—Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez—could keep the comedic magic alive in the Arconia. Yet, whispers are growing louder: where did the sharp, snappy humor go? This season, the laughs feel labored, the zingers less zippy, and the charm, while still flickering, shows cracks as the show’s once-tight center starts to wobble. After watching Season 6, we can only conclude that jokes were under strict rationing orders in the writers’ room this season.

Cracks in the comedy

As Only Murders in the Building Season 5 unfolds, the verdict is mixed but leans critical. The charm and fun persist, largely thanks to the core trio—Martin, Short, and Gomez—who remain steadfast in their quirky brilliance. Yet, the show’s center is failing to hold, with labored beats replacing the nimble wit of earlier seasons.

What’s working? Intermittent flashes of the original dynamic still delight, reminding us why we fell for the Arconia sleuths. Christoph Waltz slots into the Only Murders in the Building Season 5 vibe with classic energy, a joy to watch, while Dianne Wiest’s Lorraine is eternally brilliant, stealing scenes with effortless gravitas.

What’s not working, though, stings more. The plotting feels off—clues and suspects in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 are randomly scattered rather than meaningfully laid. Too many red herrings clog the mystery, and with action drifting outside the Arconia, the setting’s cozy menace fades. Worse, the trio’s often split, diluting their magic.

Tone takes a tumble

Diving deeper into Only Murders in the Building Season 5, the tonal shift is a real buzzkill. The humor, once a razor-sharp tool in the show’s kit, often lands with a thud. Several moments feel forced, as if the writers are stretching for laughs that just aren’t there.

Beyond the comedy woes, the team dynamics in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 suffer too. The podcast element, a quirky glue in past seasons, falls by the wayside, leaving the trio’s detective work feeling disjointed. Splitting them up so often robs us of their unbeatable chemistry.

Guest stars add another layer of discord. Meryl Streep’s expanded role in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 as Loretta feels like overkill—critics note a little of her goes a long way. Renée Zellweger’s billionaire character, meanwhile, is just a collection of tics, lacking depth.

Subplots gone sideways

Diving into the nitty-gritty of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, some subplots miss the mark entirely. Take Howard’s robot-doorman storyline—it’s absurd in all the wrong ways, veering into cringe rather than clever. It feels like a distraction from the core mystery.

Then there’s Oliver’s returning snort, a gimmick that reads as unnecessary in Only Murders in the Building Season 5. What once might’ve been a quirky callback now feels like a tired crutch, dragging down scenes that could’ve sparkled with fresher ideas or sharper banter.

Even the guest-heavy cast can’t save these missteps. While Téa Leoni’s Italian widow brings a flicker of intrigue as a potential love interest for Charles, other arcs in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 fail to add the depth or laughs we crave.

Mystery mechanics misfire

Peering into the mystery of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, the mechanics are a muddle. The clues—like a missing finger and a mafia-tinged elevator crank—feel more like random debris than a crafted puzzle. Progress stalls under a pile of red herrings, frustrating longtime fans.

The setup of Only Murders in the Building Season 5, with Lester the doorman’s murder and another body dropping, had promise. Yet, the suspect list—Téa Leoni’s widow, Dianne Wiest’s Lorraine, and three billionaires—feels disjointed. The lack of cohesion makes sleuthing less a thrill and more a chore.

Compared to Season 4’s re-anchoring around Sazz’s death, Only Murders in the Building Season 5 loses that emotional tether. Where past mysteries tied us to the Arconia’s eerie charm, this season’s sprawl and scattershot plotting leave us grasping for the old, tight-knit whodunit vibe.

What in the botox is going on with Selena Gomez’s face?

“Her lack of facial expression made me openly question if she was recovering from some sort of dental surgery.” Says one Reddit user.

Selena Gomez’s performance in Only Murders in the Building Season 5 has drawn blunt criticism from some fans, who describe her delivery as “flat” and her expressions as “wooden.” One Reddit user complained, “Too bad Selena Gomez is so flat. She’s awful to watch.” On social media, viewers have gone further, questioning why her face “doesn’t move” alongside the exaggerated antics of Martin Short and Steve Martin. Some speculate it could be an intentional acting choice, while others—less charitably—wonder if cosmetic tweaks are involved. A recurring fan theory posits that, after her recent weight changes, her team might have opted for fillers or Botox to maintain youthfulness. While these are unverified claims, the debate underscores how closely audiences scrutinize her screen presence compared to her co-stars. One fan stated

“Can you explain why you think Selena Gomez is doing well on this show? She seems super robotic in her speaking, expressions, and body language.”

Many comments online note that Selena Gomez’s face seems less expressive compared to her co-stars. Fans often describe her delivery as “flat” or “monotone.” One blunt Reddit reaction during Season 5:

“Too bad Selena Gomez is so flat. She’s awful to watch.”

Guest stars: Hit or miss

Critics and fans alike are voicing sharper frustrations with the new season. The story is seen as drifting far from its original core, with flashy detours that lose the Arconia’s intimate charm. Big-name guest stars dominate screen time, often at the expense of the trio’s signature chemistry. Plot twists feel arbitrary and pacing uneven, leaving character arcs underdeveloped. The once-refreshing format now risks staleness, with some suggesting the series has run its course. Even the acting has come under fire, as scattered comments point to wooden or muted performances that sap energy from the ensemble.

Other publications agree

• The Guardian delivers a sharp critique:
  Critics argue the show has “lost focus,” with major guest stars overshadowing the core trio and the narrative drifting from its central setting at the Arconia. They describe the season as “disorganized,” with sidelined podcasts and “forced” comedic moments The Guardian.

• RogerEbert.com signals it might be time to end the series:
  The season, while comforting, is accused of relying on the same formula. One critic felt it’s no longer compelling enough to continue, suggesting it “won’t dissuade you” if you believe the show has worn out its welcome Roger Ebert.

• A.V. Club flags pacing and plot issues:
  The review notes that intriguing elements—like Lester’s murder or the vanishing act—are undercut by frantic pacing. New characters are described as “half-baked red herrings,” underdeveloped and poorly integrated AV Club.

• IndieWire (via Rotten Tomatoes) weighs in:
  One review (scored 2/5) argues that Season 5 exchanges meaningful character development for spectacle, emphasizing celebrity presence over emotional depth

Final curtain call

So, why did Hulu dim the laughs in Only Murders in the Building Season 5? Were the jokes too expensive after the strikes? The show is a mix of tonal stumbles, scattered plotting, and uneven guest star impact. While the core trio and flashes of wit keep it semi-watchable, the comedic cracks are undeniable. Can the Arconia sleuths reclaim their zing? Only time—and Season 6—will tell.