The EGOT-Winning 'Only Murders in the Building' Songwriters on Steve Martin's 'Pickwick Triplets'

Songwriters Benj Pasek, Justin Paul & Marc Shaiman, along with "Only Murders in the Building" co-creator John Hoffman discuss the "Sitzprobe" episode from season 3. They break down how the song "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" was conceived, written, and recorded by Steve Martin. They describe what it was like to see the comedy legend perfectly nail the difficult patter song.

Variety Making a Scene presented by HBO

[francescaa]

I want Death Rattle Razzle Dazzle to run in an actual theater. It's marvelous. And that is my favorite song from the show.

[EmmaTheCowie]

Steve Martin absolutely KILLED this. Amazing writing. Genious.

[MarianneSherman-cu]

This is brilliantly composed, orchestrated and arranged! It's got all the musical theater toolbox of tempo changes, key changes, movement, form, melody shapes, a rubato, a capella, horn stabs and catchy lyric rhythms! And Steve did an amazing performance! I love it!

[spinni]

I absolutely loved the season. And I learned that the German word "Sitzprobe" is used in English. Literally translated it means "sit down rehearsal".

[oversharer]

I am crying from how excellent this creative process is. Thank you for creating such a masterpiece.

[mollydtt]

It just doesn’t ever get any better than this. The lyrics, the music, the execution — sublime.
Genius in every way.

[pa]

Man! Did Steve Martin kill it or what? And the way the scene was shot and intertwined with the story of the episode was so genius!!

[GJF]

From Wikipedia: In opera and musical theatre, a Sitzprobe (from the German for 'seated rehearsal') is a rehearsal where the singers sing with the orchestra, focusing attention on integrating the two groups. It is often the first rehearsal where the orchestra and singers rehearse together. The equivalent Italian term is prova all'italiana.

[cynthiamcivor]

Binged the series on Disney+ but once this scene posted on YouTube, I watched it over & over & over… Love it!!

[ianshirreffs]

I love the series and the music that went with it.
Well deserved. ❤

[leonardo]

This should giving him the best comedy actor's Emmy, It’s time to recognize his talent with the honor he undeniably deserves!

[daikaizouku]

Well-deserved win! Congrats on the Emmy!

[jamiegdubois]

Pasek and Paul? No wonder the music was so catchy!

[mattazmy]

Such a beautiful season; I love these guys' works. Congratulations!!!

[taydrabrookshire]

It’s crazy that Steve has yet to perform this song live in real life. My guy, aren’t you nominated because of it?? Why aren’t you campaigning for what could be your second Emmy award? Unless you meant for it to be a one and done thing. I’d love to see it performed in the Emmys telecast, though.

[kevinwilliams]

Can this become an actual touring play? Expand it and let it tour!

[mollymcdade]

The fact it’s recorded to a click track with the orchestra coming in later makes some of the autotune make sense. It’s still a shame you can hear it on the track though

[zamzamkhan]

It's the same tune as In And Out Those Dusty Bluebells.

[sarahlucy-pp]

I saw your Youtube video has few subscribers and law viewers, if you want to get more viewers in each video.