“Gee whizz, I’d just like to tell you how excited I am to meet you. You see, my wife, Mrs Columbo, she’s a big fan of yours. I can’t wait to get home and let her know you’re reading my, errrr, my whatchamacallit… my blog…”
I’d like to think that the real Lieutenant Columbo would have something similar to say to the above if he had ever been able to join the blogosphere. He was always so delightfully bemused by ‘cutting edge’ technologies after all, and we’ve seen many of them over the years, including the VCR! The Fax Machine! Digital watches! Pagers! Car phones! The list goes on…
The internet was in its relative infancy when the final episode of Columbo aired in 2003. Quite what the Lieutenant would make of the social media age is a story that may now never be told. But his army of fans have taken to it, and that’s really the genesis of this blog.
I’m a long-time Columbo fan having very fond memories of the show from my childhood. Now in my mid-30s, the show remains an integral part of my life. I don’t care much for getting into ‘new shows’. Whenever I have time to sit in front of a TV it’s generally to watch Peter Falk in action. And his characterisation of Lieutenant Columbo, to me, has still never been matched in TV history. He brought a warmth and charm to the role I just don’t think anyone else in the world could have achieved.

Expect fanboying like ’twere 1973
It was the sad death of Peter Falk on 23 June 2011 that really switched me on to the possibility of using social media as a means of paying tribute to the character, and also making new connections with like-minded fans across the world. Most of my real friends didn’t really care much about the show. My wife is a fan, but, you know, we can’t just talk about Columbo all day long, so I set up the @Columbophile account on Twitter. What a boon! I’ve come across hundreds of fans, including a core nucleus of aficionados who dig the show as much as I do. We even live tweet a different episode every month, with dozens of participants from all over the world using the oft-trending #ColumboTV hashtag! What would the Lieutenant make of it…?
For me, the best part of it all is to have played a part in growing the online Columbo community and facilitating interactions between fans across the world, many of whom I now consider firm friends, regardless of whether I’ve met them in the flesh or not. It’s very rewarding.
So, yeah, I’ve been doing that for a few years, also branching out into Instagram in 2013. And while I’ve often thought about putting my Columbo thoughts in writing in a wordier way not possible on Twitter, time restraints have held me back. However, during a recent exchange with a good Twitter friend Gary Whitta when he suggested that someone should write an article about the top 10 Columbo ‘gotchas’, I knew that time was now.
So here I am, putting virtual pencil to virtual notepad at last! This intro blog won’t win any prizes, but there’s no end of Columbo content to write about. I’ll be chronicling my favourite episodes, moments and characters; charting the fashions and music of the era; plus reviewing every episode (in due course). I don’t pretend to be a great critic like Dale Kingston, or a hotshot writer like Jim Ferris, but hopefully readers will appreciate my simple devotion to the show, and understand my desire to keep the memory of the good Lieutenant – and the delightful Peter Falk – alive.
Thanks for reading.
Huge thanks for an amazing website and all your hard work, I have made a contribution now and encourage others to do the same! Kind regards from Sweden!
Hi Dan, thanks for those kind words and also the donation. It’s very much appreciated and I’m delighted to hear you’re enjoying the site.
Happy anniversary Columbophile! Thank you for all of the wonderful Columbo content youβve given us over the last six years. Youβre the best of the best! Hereβs to the next six years πΎ cheers!
I love this blog. I visit it regularly. I have fond memories of Columbo from my childhood too. My mom was a huge fan and she passed away a few months after you started this blog. Every time I watch an episode I am reminded of her. Thanks for bringing back good memories. And also, your posts are so funny!
Happy anniversary Columbophile! Thank you for all of the wonderful Columbo content you’ve given us over the last five years. You’re the best of the best! Here’s to the next five years πΎ cheers!
WOW. Just stumbled upon this site and after the first day of going through,
I am really happy I did.
I’m a Columbo freak. Got them all on DVR and watch them constantly.
Can’t wait to dive in and contribute thoughts and opinions.
Oh, and one more thing… thanks for having me.
Welcome! Always good to encounter other Columbo freaks!
Funny thing, I actually hear his voice in my mind ears while reading the stylized-like motto at the very beginning. Charming!
Happy anniversary and congratulations on your awesome blog Columbophile. We love Columbo and very much appreciate your episode reviews, 5 Best Moments and everything in between. Keep up the good work–we love it.
You better believe it!
Just found this and am following. Absolutely love Columbo. Husband and I just finishing up watching all the episodes. Cheers Pat
Thanks for you comment – and donβt be a stranger! Iβve reviewed plenty of the episodes in full, so do add your thoughts to the comments section there if you get the chance.
Thankyou kindly for following me on Twitter! This is a fantastic site and it lifts my heart to see so many fellow Columbo fans around. Well I’m nearly 34 but I’ve been a fan since I was little. I love all the classic US TV series – Ironside, Quincy, Cagney & Lacey etc, but modern TV crime dramas just leave me cold. I think the pace is too fast for me and in some cases a bit too violent (I’m a squeamish gal)! Get Columbo on, a good slow-burner that I can enjoy. It’s always satisfying to see the Lieutenant get the better of a usually arrogant baddie who’s certain they’ve got away with it!
I just hope they never remake this show. Too many great movies and shows have suffered the reboot treatment and in my opinion they usually flop. Peter Falk was Columbo and can’t be improved upon.
I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, and delighted to hear it’s lifted your spirits! I feel the same way about the level of love that’s still in evidence for the show. I agree with you about all the things that makes Columbo (and some of the other oldies) so enjoyable. And it’s all about the interaction between leads. It’s such a talkie show it really allows for great scripts and splendid repartee.
I agree that a remake runs the risk of being rubbish, and would need to be very carefully and respectfully done, but it would, at least, bring the original to the attention of a new audience and that could bring a whole new generation on board.
I’m awfully sorry to bother you, but I just have to say I’m a big fan of Columbo and I’ll have to visit this blog more.
Oh, and one more thing….
[Door slams in face.]
Thanks Eddie! No door slamming required on this occasion! Future posts will become more exciting, so do come back and say hello!
No, *I* wasn’t slamming the door! I was imagining you or more likely, a Columbo villain, slamming the door in my face for saying, “Oh, and one more thing…”
Very well done, young man. Thrilled that you finally got your blog off the ground.
Thank you very much, ma’am. I’m very pleased it’s finally under way. And of course, I wish I’d done it ages ago now!
Huzzah!! I lift a glass to celebrate this wonderful venture and I look forward to reading every word with excitement, and awe. It’s because of you I have been able to boast and brag about my love of Columbo. I’ve made many new virtual friends, because of your efforts. Thank you. Keep up the amazing. And Huzzah again!
Deano, it’s because of Columbo champions like you that I have the energy to keep applying to the cause! Thanks for those kind words *virtual high AND low fives*