Hulu: “Only Murders in the Building,” with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez

To truly appreciate the humor of “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu), you have to be a resident of a New York co-op. No easy task. Co-op boards interview you, review your financials, and generally have to feel comfortable that you’d make a good neighbor before you’re finally accepted.

In OMITB, set in the “Arconia” (actually the Belnord, a grand old Upper West Side co-op at Broadway and West 86th Street), three residents—Steve Martin, Martin Short, and the dazzling Selena Gomez—are drawn together by the murder of a young gent they’ve just ridden the elevator with. Short, who plays a failed Broadway director, together with Steve Martin, a washed-up TV detective from the 1970s, and Gomez, whose aunt owns an apartment in the   building, decide to join forces and investigate the murder, by creating a podcast—each episode carefully detailing their search for the killer.

But who is the killer? Could it be Sting, a resident of the building, who plays himself?  Is it hunky Tie-Dye Guy (Aaron Dominguez), the super’s son? Maybe it was Teddy Deemis, the deli king (a magnificent Nathan Lane) or his deaf son Theo (James Caverly). Each, as well as other residents in the building had a motive.

Meanwhile, as the trio scratch their heads trying to figure out whodunnit, we are treated to some of the sharpest, LOL-funniest writing around. The best lines are delivered by Selena Gomez, whose deadpan humor is one for the ages. New York groupies will undoubtedly recognize a host of Broadway and off-Broadway actors throughout Season 1, as well as heaps of movie stars and TV personalities. For starters, there’s Tina Fey as the queen bee of mystery podcasters. And Jayne Houdyshell, who plays Bunny, the coop president from Hell. The fabled cast also includes Jimmy Fallon and Jane Lynch (as Steve Martin’s double).

Even the crazies that the podcasters attract are somebodies in the world of New York theater. My personal favorite is Ali Stoker, who was nominated for a Tony for “Oklahoma,” pre-pandemic. Besides appreciating the cast, New Yorkers and New York-o-philes will get a kick out of identifying the UWS locations where the series was shot.

Candidly, I didn’t want Season 1 to end because every episode was comedy gold. But the finale was so good, I can’t wait to start binge-watching Season 2. Please no spoilers. Remember, what happens in the co-op, stays in the co-op.