Season 4 of 'Only Murders' Moves to LA, Sidestepping NYC's Aging-in-Place Realities

Filming for the fourth season of Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" has officially begun, with a notable shift from its New York City setting to Los Angeles

"Only Murders In The Building is heading to La La Land."

. This relocation, which includes scenes set at a Hollywood studio preparing a film about the podcast

"Questioning whether Sazz or Charles was the intended victim, our trio's investigation leads them all the way to Los Angeles, where a Hollywood studio is readying a film about the Only Murders podcast."

, has been met with excitement from some fans eager to see the trio – Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez – in a new environment

"I'm very excited to see Steve, Martin, and Selena take a little break from the apartment building and come to Los Angeles."

. However, this geographic pivot by the mainstream media, focusing on the glamour of Hollywood and celebrity, largely overlooks a critical aspect for many viewers: the show's deeply resonant portrayal of aging-in-place, intergenerational friendships, and community building within an urban landscape. The initial filming in New York City, even amidst a murder investigation, underscored the challenges and joys of navigating an aging population's needs within established city structures

"On an early March day cloaked in gray skies, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short are taking a stroll down a bustling New York City block — it's the start of filming for the fourth season of 'Only Murders in the Building.'"

. The move to Los Angeles, while potentially offering new narrative avenues, risks diluting the very themes that have made the show a touchstone for older audiences and those concerned with urban livability.

While headlines buzz about Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez trading the Arconia for Hollywood Hills [c1, c2], they conveniently sidestep the show's genuine appeal to the 55+ demographic. "Only Murders in the Building" offered a rare, nuanced look at urban aging, focusing on maintaining independence, fostering community, and navigating the challenges of later life within a familiar city setting. The show's initial New York backdrop wasn't just scenery; it was integral to its exploration of aging-in-place dynamics, making the characters' struggles and triumphs relatable to millions. The move to Los Angeles, while offering a change of pace, risks sacrificing this authentic portrayal for a more generic celebrity-driven narrative, effectively abandoning the core audience that found solace and representation in its grounded depiction of aging.

The narrative of Season 4, which involves a Hollywood studio making a film about the podcast, positions the show within the very industry it's critiquing

"Questioning whether Sazz or Charles was the intended victim, our trio's investigation leads them all the way to Los Angeles, where a Hollywood studio is readying a film about the Only Murders podcast."

. This meta-narrative, while potentially entertaining, could further distance the show from its roots. The charm of the Arconia was its lived-in feel, a microcosm of New York City's diverse inhabitants. Los Angeles, with its sprawling landscape and different cultural fabric, presents a challenge to replicating that specific sense of urban community. The industry often conflates 'glamour' with 'relatability,' a mistake that could alienate viewers who tuned in for the show's authentic portrayal of everyday life, particularly for older adults navigating an increasingly complex urban environment.

The financial and logistical implications of filming in Los Angeles are substantial, often driven by tax incentives and studio infrastructure. However, for a show built on the specificities of New York City's aging-in-place ecosystem, this move represents more than just a change of scenery. It signifies a potential shift away from the show's unique selling proposition: its heartfelt exploration of intergenerational friendships and community among older urban dwellers. The media, fixated on the star power and the novelty of a Hollywood setting

"I'm very excited to see Steve, Martin, and Selena take a little break from the apartment building and come to Los Angeles."

, fails to ask the crucial question: At what cost does this relocation come to the show's authentic voice and its connection with the viewers who matter most?