If you’re anything like me, debating the merits of your favourite Columbo episode with fellow fans is one of life’s great pleasures.
But have you ever wondered which episodes rate the highest with fans across the globe? Well now’s your chance to find out! Below is a simple list of all 69 Columbo episodes, from 1968’s Prescription: Murder to 2003’s final curtain Columbo Likes the Nightlife. Please have a look, and vote for your single favourite. It’ll only take you a moment!
The poll will remain open in perpetuity so visitors can continue to have their say, and help to shape a pretty clear picture of the favourite Columbo episodes of the majority. And at each year’s end I’ll write an article outlining the current fans’ top 10.
I have my own suspicions on which episodes will remain near the top of the standings, but would be very happy to be surprised so have your say today!
You may have already read my own thoughts on the best Columbo episodes of them all. If not, I insist you have a look immediately. You can also view the 2019 fans’ top 10 list here and find out about Peter Falk’s own favourite episodes here.
As ever, thanks for visiting this site, and do have a great day wherever you are.
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No doubt for me are Try And Catch Me, Double Exposure, A Friend In Deed, and Columbo Cries Wolf THE top episodes, with crime figured out, endings, “ gotchas”, etc.
Ransom for a Dead Man rocks! # 1 👩🏻🦰👓👍📺
Suitable For Framing has long been my all-time fave. It’s got it all: cold and callous murders, Columbo tormenting Dale and the greatest gotcha in the series. Sorry Dale, but your murderous scheme didn’t work and you deserved what you got!
No time to die is my favorite . It has a different story line than all the rest. Pretty girl and great acting.
I’m almost finished watching all episodes, then I’ll share with you my top 5. Great site!
I’d like to remove my comment, thank you.
Jack Cassidy is Columbo’s greatest guest star, The Great Santini is my favourite villain, and Sergeant Wilson is my favourite assistant detective. And, as an excellent typing student in high school, Wilson breaking the case with his worship of the typewriter is brilliant.
Gotta agree, Cassidy and Falk were so good together. I would put Robert Culp very close behind. Both actors were the perfect oil & water match with Falk.
What a great site! Working my way through the box set for the nth time and can’t believe that I’ve not found the site before. Good work fella – you understand me even if the wife doesn’t!
1. No time to die. Yes, my favorite is the one you guys hate.
2.Swan Song is my second
3. Now you see him is my third
4. Fotgotten Lady
5.Murder, smoke and Shadows
6Murder by the book
7.Exercise in Fatality
8.By dawns ealy light
9.A,matter of honor
10.Columbo goes to college
Please provide your reasons for rating No Time to Die as the best of them all! I’d love to know.
1.Some of the shows are boring. This one isn’t .
2. It showed a different side to Colombo.
3 .Had some great lines. “I married into a cop family. Where are they now.” Something like that.
4 Liked the scene where he finds the shoe on the stairs.
5.I like the wedding party.
6.They stepped outside of the tradtional plot.I liked that.
7.Had a georgous woman as an victim. Had to rescue her. A million movies had that plot and we love it.
8.Liked how Colombo took over and everyone listened to him.
9. I like how they eliminated all of the people at the reception to find the criminal .10.Liked when he told the captain to turn off sirens.
11. Saw Colombo with a gun and his response at the end.
12.I liked the supporting actors.
The only reason people like “Any Old Port In A Storm” is because Columbo likes the murderer. It’s not the best mystery, acting or ending.
I don’t agree as myself thé.only one French author who sold a Columbo story to Universal.
Very strong mobile, good casting, good means, excellent vilain ‘s performance, exciting clues, glorious ending.
Moreover very well composition of wine bac ground.
As in The Conspirators the relative Friendness between the cop and the vilain brings a hunt of romantism to the story.
Welcome, Olivier. Did you read the blog post about your Columbo story? https://columbophile.com/2020/08/23/columbos-alpine-adventure-the-episode-that-never-was/
I agree. And I don’t get why everyone says Pleasance is so sympathetic. His brother had the same father and he had every right to sell his half of the business if he wanted. Pleasance conking him over the head was a violent, rotten act which can’t be justified. He’s not one of the most sympathetic murderers. I also have problems with Ruth Gordon.
Really enjoying the site and I thank you for your efforts.
Trying to make a Top-Ten list of my all time favorite show is not an easy task, but you guys are crazy if you don’t have Dawn’s Early Light in the top 5 episodes at least. My first attempt at making my own list after 45 years of watching this show reflected a Top 15, which was best I could do for now. Some of my favorites don’t have to do with the plot itself, but the funny scenes regarding Columbo eccentricities which I’ve remembered forever. Looking forward to reading the comments on this webpage and continuing my addiction to one of the greatest TV characters ever !!
Well,Thank You very much for asking Columbophile Webmaster 🙂 Here’s my “attempt” at making a Top 15.
Dawns Early Light, Last Salute to the Commodore, Try and Catch Me, The Conspirators, Troubled Waters, Dead Weight, Bye-Bye Sky High Case, Blueprint for Murder, Any Old Port in a Storm, A Matter of Honor, Exercise in Fatality, Murder Under Glass, Negative Reaction, Identity Crisis, A Stitch in Crime.
Two of my favorite Columbo scenes in episodes not listed above is the beginning of the Columbo Pilot, Prescription Murder (#16 on my list). Certainly the writers were on some kind of hallucinogens at this time (LOL). Also in Greenhouse Jungle, who can forget where Columbo attempts to go the “quickest way down” the hill and ends up falling head over teakettle into the deep ravine. Cracks me up every time I watch it and actually looks like Peter Falk did the stunt himself!
This wouldn’t be a complete reply without mentioning my favorite “older” Columbo episodes or “newest”, whichever you prefer. Those would be Agenda for Murder, Columbo Goes to College and Murder, A Self Portrait.
Here’s to watching every Columbo episode at least once a year … your life will be better for it .. cheers
Dawn’s Early Light is my favourite episode by far. It blew me away and I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought the acting was excellent – even the minor characters were excellent and believable..