Only Murders in the Building's Quirkiest Pitch: Paul Rudd as a Robot?

Get ready, Arconiacs! Just when you thought Only Murders in the Building couldn't get any more delightfully eccentric, a truly "wild idea" has emerged from the creative minds behind the hit Hulu series. Forget traditional resurrections or ghostly apparitions – we're talking about a concept so uniquely OMITB, it could redefine how characters return from the great beyond.

And yes, it involves none other than the charmingly ill-fated Ben Glenroy, played by the incomparable Paul Rudd, making a comeback not in the flesh, but as an Artificial Intelligence.

Showrunner John Hoffman recently unveiled a truly audacious pitch that was playfully floated during brainstorming sessions for a potential fifth season.

Imagine this: Charles Haden-Savage, our beloved, often-anxious actor, finds himself with a cutting-edge piece of technology – perhaps an advanced smart assistant or a therapeutic AI device. And whose voice would be emanating from this digital companion? None other than the endlessly theatrical, slightly grating, yet undeniably memorable Ben Glenroy.

The idea is that Charles, still grappling with the trauma of Ben's abrupt demise, could find a peculiar form of companionship, and certainly a lot of comedic friction, from an AI voiced by his former co-star and nemesis.

This isn't a firm plan etched in stone, but rather a brilliant testament to the show's willingness to push creative boundaries and embrace its inherent quirky charm.

Hoffman described it as a "wild" concept, acknowledging its unconventional nature but also the potential for immense humor and character exploration. The beauty of Only Murders in the Building lies in its ability to blend genuine emotion with laugh-out-loud absurdity, and an AI Ben Glenroy would fit right into that sweet spot.

Think of the possibilities! Charles, attempting to cook a meal, only for his AI assistant to interject with, "Is that how a real actor holds a whisk, Charles?" Or perhaps, during a quiet moment of reflection, Ben's AI might offer unsolicited acting advice or deliver a dramatic monologue about the proper way to order takeout.

It’s a genius way to keep Paul Rudd's magnetic energy alive within the narrative without undermining the finality of Ben's death, providing both comic relief and a unique form of processing grief for Charles.

While this remains purely a hypothetical concept for a Season 5 that hasn't even been officially greenlit, it speaks volumes about the innovative spirit of the show's writers.

They're not afraid to venture into truly bizarre territory if it serves the story, the characters, and most importantly, the humor. The prospect of Paul Rudd lending his voice to a digital ghost of Ben Glenroy is precisely the kind of unexpected, delightful twist that keeps fans eagerly anticipating every new season.

It's a reminder that in the world of the Arconia, anything is possible – even a robot with the dramatic flair of a Broadway star.