You can’t deny Steve Martin’s Charles Savage from Only Murders in the Building reminded us of his iconic role in Pink Panther

Steve Martin's decades-long career and his ability to reinvent himself while still keeping his trademark wit are beyond doubt, and in Only Murders in the Building, his portrayal of Charles-Haden Savage, a former TV personality who turns amateur detective, has been much admired for the blend of deadpan humor, vulnerability, and comedic rhythm, something fans of yesteryear will recognize instantly!

And this is where most of the viewers cannot help but make the connection. Martin's Charles brings to mind hues of Inspector Jacques Clouseau, the bumbling detective he portrayed in The Pink Panther series. Although the show never name-checks Clouseau, the combination of seriousness and silliness to Charles's persona is like a tip of the hat to Martin's earlier comedic efforts. What a fascinating intersection of two rather different projects!

Steve Martin as Charles-Haden Savage in Only Murders in the Building

In Only Murders in the Building, Steve Martin stars as Charles, who is a shy, often nervous actor residing in New York's Arconia building. He gets into solving murders that take place within their building with Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez).

The character is multi-faceted, at times cringey, at times funny but not too try-hard, and sometimes even overdramatic, yet somehow almost on purpose. His critics have pointed out how he treads a fine line between comedy and real emotion in this role, which ranks among his best TV performances.

Looking back at The Pink Panther years

His earlier stint as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in The Pink Panther (2006) and The Pink Panther 2 (2009) was a decision of great courage. He stepped into the shoes of the legendary Peter Sellers, bringing the character slapstick vitality and hyper-seriousness. Critics were divided, but Martin's bodily humor and accent were unmistakably in line with what he did best.

To some, it was the role that cemented Martin as ready to be reckless even when the comparisons to past legends were unavoidable.

Where the comparisons come from

Even without direct mention, it's no wonder that people see the connection between Charles-Haden Savage in Only Murders in the Building and Clouseau in The Pink Panther. Both are figures existing within a realm where seriousness and comedy converge, the former being a washed-up TV detective, the latter a bumbling inspector who somehow always managed to find himself at the center of truth.

The commonality exists in Martin's performances: the timing, the over-the-top reactions, and the manner in which he leans into awkwardness for comedic purposes. The fans who are familiar with his body of work can't help but see!

A comedian's versatility

Most impressive is the manner in which Steve Martin keeps growing. His Pink Panther films illustrated his commitment to slapstick humor, while Only Murders in the Building illustrates his ability to move slowly and create room for humor to simmer below the surface.

This chameleon ability is a hallmark of Martin's long career as a stand-up comedian and film and TV star. Few comedians can shift between slapstick and deadpan so seamlessly, and that is exactly why crowds hear echoes of Clouseau in Charles.

Steve Martin's Charles-Haden Savage is more approximation than re-creation of Inspector Clouseau, but the allusions are readily identifiable for seasoned viewers. Both characters are ideal vehicles for Martin's singular comedic talents, as ineptitude, exaggeration, and rapid-fire wit tickle and tickle.

Consciously or not, Charles is a remote cousin of Clouseau, the one who lives in New York with a podcast microphone replacing a magnifying glass!

Also read: Only Murders in the Building Season 5 cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the new chapter of the Hulu series?

Edited by Anjali Singh

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