It doesn’t take a detective to find out if a text is from Steve Martin.
After all, the Only Murders in the Building star shared insight into his decision to reintroduce himself to anyone he’s texting, including costar Selena Gomez.
“In case my number doesn’t come up,” Steve exclusively told E! News’ Will Marfuggi of his reasoning. “I always like to know. Sometimes, I get a text and I have no idea who it is.”
Since the Pink Panther actor doesn’t always have other people’s phone numbers saved, he feels that identifying himself can be helpful.
As for what the 80-year-old messages to Selena, despite the actress likely having his phone number in her contacts? He revealed, “I go, ‘It’s Steve.'”
While Steve may continue to reintroduce himself to Martin Short and Selena in texts, the “Who Says” singer will always have a special place for him, both on and off her phone. (For more with Steve, Selena and Martin, tune into E! News tonight Sept. 2 at 11 p.m.)
“It’s been five years working with Steve and Marty,” she told E!. “It’s been a blast and every year, I feel that we get closer and then it’s just stronger, and the episodes get richer and funnier. I feel really fortunate and blessed.”
And season five of Only Murders in the Building—which premieres on Hulu on September 9, with new episodes weekly—is no different. Just like past installments, the series is bringing a slew of guest stars, including Renée Zellweger, Logan Lerman, as well as other OGs like Meryl Streep and Nathan Lane.
“Between setups, when they have to relight and everything, the hang is really fun,” Martin gushed. “The holding area—we have a lot of fun in that area.”
One factor that hasn’t changed? How much Steve is in awe of Selena.
“When we first met Selena, she was already self-possessed and dignified and sophisticated,” he told E! News last August. “So, if anything, we’ve just seen that creep up a little bit, as it should with maturity.”
The comedian emphasized, “But she was already there—a real person we admired and respected.”
The feeling is mutual for the “Calm Down” singer, who added, “It’s just been a joy to have people I can look up to and just be reminded that life is good.”
Keep reading to see more TV shows premiering this year.
Chicago Fire (NBC) – Oct. 1
This edge-of-your-seat ride is a look into the professional and personal lives of the firefighters and paramedics of Firehouse 51 as they risk their lives every day to save and protect the citizens of Chicago.
Chicago Med (NBC) – Oct. 1
Chicago Med is an emotional thrill ride through the day-to-day chaos of the city’s newest state-of-the-art trauma center and into the lives of the courageous doctors, nurses and staff who hold it all together.
Chicago P.D. (NBC) – Oct. 1
Chicago P.D. is a riveting police drama about the men and women of the Chicago Police Department’s elite Intelligence Unit, combatting the city’s most heinous offenses – organized crime, drug trafficking, high-profile murders and beyond.
Love Is Blind (Netflix) – Oct. 1
Singles who want to be loved for who they are have signed up for a less conventional approach to modern dating, and will choose someone to marry without ever meeting them. Over several weeks, the newly engaged couples will move in together, plan their wedding, and find out if their physical connection matches their strong emotional bond developed in the pods. When their wedding day arrives, will real-world realities and external factors push them apart, or will they marry the person they fell blindly in love with? Hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey, this addictive series will uncover whether looks, race, or age do matter—or if love really is blind.
Shifting Gears (ABC) – Oct. 1
Shifting Gears follows Matt, the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. When his estranged daughter, Riley, and her kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.
Karen Pirie (BritBox) – Oct. 2
The 1984 case of Catriona and Adam Grant has confounded investigators and intrigued the public like no other. Catriona, the charming young heiress to a vast oil fortune, and her two year old son Adam, were brutally kidnapped at gunpoint outside a fish and chip shop in Fife. The ransom notes that followed stirred up an uncontrollable press storm, but when the culprits fell silent, the police faltered, and Catriona and Adam were never seen again. Now, a man’s body has been discovered, with indisputable links to the original kidnap. With the first piece of evidence in decades, Karen (Lauren Lyle) must assemble an unbeatable team alongside her sincere and lovable sidekick DC Jason ‘Mint’ Murray (Chris Jenks) and the brilliant – but romantically complicated – DS Phil Parhatka (Zach Wyatt). With the international renown of the kidnap and the constant pressure from Catriona’s father, Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo), the team take on the biggest challenge of their careers to date. As Karen delves deeper into what happened in the autumn of 1984, political grudges and painful secrets reveal themselves, and it soon becomes clear…the past is far from dead.
Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix) – Oct. 3
Serial killer. Grave robber. Psycho. In the frozen fields of 1950s rural Wisconsin, a friendly, mild-mannered recluse named Eddie Gein lived quietly on a decaying farm – hiding a house of horrors so gruesome it would redefine the American nightmare. Driven by isolation, psychosis, and an all-consuming obsession with his mother, Gein’s perverse crimes birthed a new kind of monster that would haunt Hollywood for decades. From Psycho to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre to The Silence of the Lambs, Gein’s macabre legacy gave birth to fictional monsters born in his image and ignited a cultural obsession with the criminally deviant. Ed Gein didn’t just influence a genre — he became the blueprint for modern horror.
The Sisters Grimm (Apple TV+) – Oct. 3
The Sisters Grimm is a journey of adventure and heart about sleuth-solving sisters descended from the Brothers Grimm who, while very different, make a pretty great team.
Saturday Night Live (NBC) – Oct. 4
The iconic late night sketch show returns for season 51.
The Real Housewives of Potomac (Bravo) – Oct. 5
Returning this season are housewives, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Wendy Osefo, Stacey Rusch and Keiarna Stewart.
The ladies are joined by new housewives Tia Glover, a British-Nigerian luxury real estate advisor, and Angel Massie, an outdoor experiential curator. Tia is a mother of four whose strong family values are matched by her sense of humor. Angel is married to an ex-NFL star and brings her family back to Potomac ambitiously looking to grow her business.
The Young and the Restless (CBS) – Oct. 7
This fall, relationships are tested, unexpected romances flourish and a puzzling mystery leads to shocking revelations. Victor (Eric Braeden) and Jack (Peter Bergman) must decide if they can put their epic rivalry aside in order to protect their legacies; Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon (Sharon Case) find themselves on a dangerous path when a troubling message sends them on a trip looking for answers; Billy (Jason Thompson) and Cane’s (Billy Flynn) power struggle intensifies with the return of Jill (Jess Walton); Nate (Sean Dominic) decides if his future includes Audra (Zuleyka Silver); Claire (Hayley Erin) finds herself torn between two suitors; and Cricket (Lauralee Bell) and Danny (Michael Damian) plan for their long-awaited wedding, airing in November. And Y&R sees the arrival of two intriguing newcomers: Sienna (Tamara Braun), whose unexpected tie to several key characters creates a stir, and a mysterious stranger (Roger Howarth), whose sudden presence raises more questions than answers.
Baylen Out Loud (TLC) – Oct. 7
Baylen and her fiancé Colin are now living together, learning the ropes of adulting and discovering that love and cohabitating require a lot of compromise. From pre-marital counseling sessions to cozy apartment life, this season is all about Baylen leveling up. As she adjusts to a new city, she begins building new friendships and expanding her support system.
Baylen’s journey with Tourette Syndrome continues as she navigates new challenges, medications, and opportunities to learn more about herself. With a wedding on the horizon, Baylen and Colin begin laying the groundwork for their big day, preparing what’s to come through dress shopping, floral design, and venue visits, as they take meaningful steps toward building a life together. But wedding planning isn’t as dreamy as they imagined as they are faced with personal compromise, budget realities, and location dilemmas that challenge their vision and test their teamwork.
Ozzy: No Escape From Now (Paramount+) – Oct. 7
The feature-length documentary serves as the definitive account of the rock icon’s life during the last six years leading up to his July 22 death.
Alongside Ozzy and Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly and Jack speak candidly about the late-night fall their father suffered in February 2019 and the subsequent life-changing impact of that accident, which ultimately led to him cancelling his two-and-a-half-year farewell tour.
The Lost Station Girls (Hulu) – Oct. 8
A teenage girl disappears. Three young women are brutally murdered. All brunette, all last seen near the Perpignan train station. A decades long quest ensues to bring the missing home and bring the serial killer responsible to justice.
HEAUX CHURCH — Oct. 8
Brandon Kyle Goodman stars in their self-written Heaux Church at Ars Nova in New York. The Big Mouth alum will lead the congregation in a rousing service on the birds, the bees and the booty, inviting us to connect and to unleash their inner “heaux.” Runs through Nov. 8.
9-1-1 (ABC) – Oct. 9
The crime drama returns for season nine.
9-1-1: Nashville (ABC) – Oct. 9
The newest entry into the franchise, 9-1-1: Nashville is a high-octane procedural about heroic first responders, as well as their family saga of power and glamour set in one of America’s most diverse and dynamic cities.
Victoria Beckham (Netflix) – Oct. 9
The three-part documentary series gives all of us a front row seat as Victoria Beckham prepares for the fashion show of her life. From the teenager who restyled her school uniform, to the Spice Girl who fought to be accepted by a notoriously demanding fashion industry, Victoria Beckham is the story of resilience, reinvention and self-discovery.
O’ahu Shores (Peacock) – Oct. 9
In Hawaii, the word “ohana” means family and for this bold, vibrant and tight-knit group of friends, they love and argue just like family. These young Hawaiian locals are stepping out of their parents’ expectations and carving their own paths while still embracing their culture. As they navigate love, face heartbreak and test friendship loyalties, this group proves life on the island has just as much shade as there is sun.
The Last Frontier (Apple TV+) – Oct. 10
The Last Frontier follows Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside-down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates. Tasked with protecting the town he’s vowed to keep safe, he begins to suspect the crash wasn’t an accident, but the first step of a well-crafted plan with far-reaching and devastating implications.
Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars (Apple TV+) – Oct. 10
Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars travels to some of the most compelling culinary destinations on Earth. Across eight episodes, the series visits restaurants in New York (Coqodaq, The Musket Room, Noksu), Chicago (Cariño, Esmé, Feld), the Nordics (Aure, Jordnær, Knystaforsen), the U.K. (Caractère, House, Wilsons), Mexico (Em, Máximo), Italy (Agriturismo Ferdy, Kresios) and California (The Harbor House, Pasjoli, Pasta|Bar). At each stop, chefs open their doors and their kitchens, as they chase their first, second, or even third Michelin star.
With unprecedented access to Michelin—including rare, on-the-record interviews with anonymous inspectors—the series delivers a chef’s-eye view of one of the culinary world’s most elusive honors, and the human stories behind the pursuit of perfection.
My Father, the BTK Killer (Netflix) – Oct. 10
Raised by a man leading a monstrous double life, the daughter of the BTK serial killer shares her chilling story in this true crime documentary.
The Braxtons (We TV) – Oct. 10
In season two, Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar and Ms. Evelyn reunite with hopes of healing after tragedy, but life throws more curveballs than ever before. While Towanda plans the wedding of her dreams, the family is rocked by medical emergencies, explosive emotional confrontations, and the fallout from a public scandal that threatens to divide them for good.
Frankie Quiñones: Damn That’s Crazy (Hulu) – Oct. 10
Frankie Quiñones hits the stage to unpack love, addiction, and the high-stakes politics of the family carne asada.
Solar Opposites (Hulu) – Oct. 13
Once their alien diamond making machine gets destroyed, the Solar Opposites must face their greatest challenge yet: living their expensive lives on a budget! When their consumerist habits and expensive hobbies are gone, only their true selves will remain… but will they like who they find? ALSO: The epic story of the people of The Wall has all built to this thrilling and shocking conclusion…
Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition (Bravo) – Oct. 14
Based on the hit global format, each standalone episode follows a different Real Housewife and real wife as they navigate swapping their everyday comforts and luxuries to fully immerse themselves in a vastly different familial experience. Through unexpected conflicts, eye-opening moments and emotional breakthroughs, the journey challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves and the world around them. Through this process, the Real Housewives will question if they can appreciate the lives they left behind and conversely, the real wives will question whether the aspirational lives showcased on reality TV are truly as glamorous as they appear.
The Real Housewives featured are Angie Katsanevas (Salt Lake City), Emily Simpson (Orange County), Melissa Gorga (New Jersey) and Dr. Wendy Osefo (Potomac).
Loot (Apple TV+) – Oct. 15
Season three will continue to follow the antics of the beloved group of misfits at The Wells Foundation as they work together so Molly can live up to her promise of giving away all of her vast fortune. Alongside Maya Rudolph, the returning ensemble cast includes Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Nat Faxon, Ron Funches, Joel Kim Booster.
Murdaugh: Death in the Family (Hulu) – Oct. 15
Maggie and Alex enjoy a lavish life of privilege as members of one of South Carolina’s most powerful legal dynasties. But when their son Paul is involved in a deadly boat crash, the family is faced with a test unlike any they’ve ever encountered. As details come to light and new challenges emerge, the family’s connections to several mysterious deaths raise questions which threaten everything Maggie and Alex hold dear. Inspired by the popular Murdaugh Murders Podcast.
Ghost Adventures (Discovery+) – Oct. 15
Paranormal investigators Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley and Jay Wasley return to unearth menacing ghostly activity in their most chilling lockdowns yet. Venturing into the shadows of abandoned buildings, a former military base and even a haunted amusement park, the intrepid team face off against malicious spirits and eerie supernatural phenomena as they pursue answers to terrifying hauntings.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (Peacock) – Oct. 16
The new drama explores the heartbreaking stories of Gacy’s victims and the immense grief and trauma that their families endured. It also highlights the systemic failures, missed opportunities and societal prejudices that allowed his crimes to go unnoticed for so long.
