You can’t deny that these 7 Oliver Putnam moments from 'Only Murders in the Building' made you a Martin Short fan

The series Only Murders in the Building, from Steve Martin and John Hoffman, tells the story of three mismatched neighbours who team up to make a podcast about a murder in their building. The laughs here are anything but straightforward. The three mismatched neighbours are Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez. In the role of Oliver Putnam, Martin Short brings brilliant humour, turning the murder mystery into a playful journey, full of laughter and youthful charm. Both over the top and witty, Oliver Putnam shines as a former director brimming with charm in Only Murders in the Building. His finest moments are front-loaded in the series, while Martin Short as Oliver is entertaining throughout. Martin, who is more than just a cultural icon, is a rare talent for reaching audiences of all ages. This shines through in his role as Oliver Putnam, the endearing, quirky, and lively Broadway director in Only Murders in the Building. Whether it’s his obsession with dips or his courage that backfires, Oliver Putnam’s character has enriched the series with scenes fans can’t forget. Though Martin’s character is prideful, clueless, and occasionally leaning into selfishness, fans still love him because there’s so much to adore about his character. Here are 7 Oliver Putnam moments from Only Murders in the Building that can make you a Martin Short fan.

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7 Oliver Putnam moments from Only Murders in the Building that made you a Martin Short fan

The hilarious elevator scene

Martin Short as Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building shines brightest in some of his most pared-down scenes, and the first episode gives us a perfect example. After tracing the trash bag leads nowhere, the trio opts to give up the investigation, but everything takes a turn when they arrive home. Mabel figures something out, and as she heads upstairs to tell Charles and Oliver, Charles emerges from the elevator, having reached the same conclusion. The suspense intensifies when Mabel also joins Charles in the elevator, making their way to find Oliver. This pivotal elevator moment marks a turning point in the establishment of the investigative trio in Only Murders in the Building. As the elevator doors open once more, there he is, Oliver Putnam, giving the impression that he’s been waiting for them, but Oliver hasn’t the slightest idea what’s going on. There’s a naïve confusion on his face as Martin Short stares at them, only to sweep up with them. The moment feels natural and quintessentially Oliver, with Martin Short perfectly capturing his whimsical, youthful spirit.

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Oliver and his vintage car

While following Mabel in Only Murders in the Building, Oliver and Charles learn that she’s been dishonest about her ties to the tie-dye guy and Tim Kono. Charles is on edge, doing his utmost while tailing Mabel to a street as Oliver retrieves his car. At the pretzel stand, Oliver asks for a snack, and after Charles struggles to understand how he likes them, Oliver directs him to inform the vendor himself. He asks for his typical snack, giving away his small foodie secret about being a repeat customer. Soon after, he appears with an eye-catching yellow retro car. The car delivers an unforeseen moment that surprises viewers. Now here comes the hilarious part: Oliver tells Charles to take the wheel immediately, and you know why—his license has been invalid for the last 25 years. Typical Oliver Putnam in Only Murders in the Building. Martin Short brings a humorous sense of unpredictability to every scene. The moment brings together Oliver’s obsession with food, the car reveal, and his expired license. This scene tops the prior one, and Short’s performance is guaranteed to make you a fan of him.

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Revealing his Broadway flop

Oliver keeps his financial struggles under wraps, following his role in orchestrating one of Broadway’s most spectacular failures throughout season one of Only Murders in the Building. This is the story of Oliver’s career meltdown, by incorporating twelve mermen plunging into a pool constructed on the stage. The initial preview night was plagued with technical issues, and he blundered by directing the performers to dive off the high pier. The story balances tragedy and hilarity, with Martin Short delivering it deadpan while reproducing the sounds caused by the accident. And honestly, he nailed this scene. If you see this moment in Only Murders in the Building, you are definitely going to love it. Though the scene is emotionally challenging as fans resonate with Oliver’s meltdown. Simultaneously, you won’t be able to stop laughing, as he makes it look so hilarious. Humour and heartbreak intertwine flawlessly here, while also serving as a truly poignant moment for Oliver, brought to life by Martin Short.

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The Dazzling Rattle performance

Oliver Putnam’s acting ability shines in Only Murders in the Building during his grand musical number from the fictional show Death Rattle Dazzle! With a jazzy hand gesture that practically sparkles, he sells the absurdity of the scene with effortless flair. Watching Martin Short bring Oliver to life here can turn anyone into a Martin Short fan, seriously. It’s impossible not to smile at his wild, gleeful delivery. The number unfolds as part of a stage musical, hilariously woven into the murder-mystery plot. It’s exactly the kind of whimsy and theatrical energy Only Murders in the Building does best, mixing humor, mystery, and live-theater flair. When Oliver strikes that dynamic pose, you feel both the show’s quirky charm and Short’s sheer commitment to his character. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Martin Short so magnetic, this is it. His “Dazzling Rattle” performance is theatrical, catchy, and just a little bonkers—in the best way. Fans still talk about how that single moment alone could win anyone over. And in Only Murders in the Building, it stands out as one of those shining, delightfully odd touches that makes the show so memorable.

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Oliver flirts with Loretta

Set under a soft evening sky, he’s got puppy-dog enthusiasm and quirky charm in full swing. As they share a meal, his crooning, confident yet adorably earnest tone makes the whole scene both funny and unexpectedly heartwarming. You can’t help but smile at how effortlessly Martin Short draws you into Oliver’s world in Only Murders in the Building. Then the evening gets even sweeter. In a playful, slightly absurd touch, Oliver tosses his tooth into the river. Leaning in after that dash of bonkers, he gently kisses Loretta, and it lands just right, romantic without being syrupy, light without losing its warmth. This little moment captures everything that makes watching Oliver so irresistible. His over-the-top flair, softened by genuine emotion, can turn even the most skeptical viewer into a Martin Short fan. No heavy drama, just simple charm and a smidgen of theatrical magic—exactly what Only Murders in the Building does best. Watch it just once and you’ll get it: Oliver flirting with Loretta in that scene is a subtle, sweet reminder of why Martin Short always steals the spotlight.

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Oliver’s obsession with dips

In Only Murders in the Building, there’s an unusual craving for dip in Oliver Putnam. You can’t miss his fondness for cuisine in the first season, but it is progressively revealed in the second season. As time has passed, the habit has grown stronger. The first notable dip-related incident for Oliver unfolds when the trio shares a booth at a dinner and discusses Bunny’s murder. In virtually any standard detective show, this kind of heavy discussion might have carried the air of an anxiety-inducing climax, but here Oliver effortlessly deflates the seriousness. He transforms the scene into a playful gag about dips. Only Murders in the Building frequently alludes to Oliver’s dips mania. It never provides closure, robbing both Oliver and the audience of the satisfaction of a fully savoured dips moment. As his friends are absorbed in serious discussion, Martin Short radiates a strangely contented delight. Finally, Oliver gets his standout dips moment in the dinner scene. He remarks on finally having a secure spot to discuss their investigation while he can also enjoy dips, only to criticize the dips for being a little too thin. Martin Short’s hilarious embodiment of Oliver in this scene is truly remarkable and leaves viewers amazed.

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Hilarious anger over musical rejection

One of the funniest Only Murders in the Building moments that shows Martin Short at his very best comes when Oliver Putnam learns the brutal truth about his musical. Charles, with his usual deadpan delivery, tells Oliver that no one actually wants to do his show. The news hits Oliver like a dagger to the heart, and his reaction is nothing short of theatrical brilliance. Instead of sulking quietly, Oliver explodes with exaggerated outrage. Clutching at the table, he dramatically announces that he might as well stab the spoon straight into his eyes. The line itself is hilarious. It’s Martin Short’s over-the-top delivery, complete with wild hand gestures and big, wounded expressions, that makes the moment laugh-out-loud perfect. You can almost hear the imaginary orchestra playing behind his dramatics. This scene is a perfect reminder of why Only Murders in the Building works so well. Amidst the murder mystery and tension, Oliver’s larger-than-life personality brings a dose of pure comedy. His ability to turn disappointment into a Broadway-level meltdown is exactly the kind of charm that makes audiences fall for him. It’s not just funny; it’s also a showcase of Martin Short’s unique style, where outrage and comedy mix seamlessly. That moment of musical rejection may sting for Oliver, but for fans, it’s one of the most memorable, laugh-heavy highlights in Only Murders in the Building.