With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
'Only Murders in the Building' is back and meta as ever. Is that a good thing?

Each week on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news program, we talk with TV critics about the shows they're watching, and this week, they're dishing on the return of Only Murders in the Building.
Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short return for Season 4, along with a plethora of guest stars, lots of meta humor and a movie adaptation.
It’s meta, but in a good way
"It's so meta that you actually find yourself laughing and laughing at jokes you thought were old." — Dominic Patten, Deadline executive editor
“It invites an opportunity for a lot of jokes that are actually kind of making fun of the show and poking fun at its tropes, and I love that stuff.” — Jen Chaney, Vulture
The podcast goes Hollywood

“There is a movie being made based on the Only Murders in the Building podcast within the show.. you have Eva Longoria playing a version of Selena Gomez, and you have Eugene Levy playing a version of Steve Martin. And then my favorite, Zach Galifianakis playing an inexplicably younged-down version of Martin Short and just being so impatient with this entire thing.” — Jen Chaney, Vulture TV critic
Keep the guest stars coming
Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, Jane Lynch and more have brought their talents to the series in past seasons. Season 4 adds the three "doppelgangers" already mentioned, plus people like Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Kind, Melissa McCarthy and Molly Shannon.

"Part of the fun is just waiting to see who's going to show up next." — Jen Chaney, Vulture TV critic
“There are two performances that really struck me with these early episodes. One is Jane Lynch… and the other part I would say is the never less than wonderful Molly Shannon, who shows up as a Hollywood executive.” — Dominic Patten, Deadline
Listen here...
...for more on this show and others, including Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Kaos and English Teacher.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care.
-
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past.
-
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
-
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead.
-
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.