Dear friends, how long has it been? Many, many moons, I’m sure we can agree.
As you can’t fail to have noticed, the blog is languishing in a state of disuse – a pity, as otherwise I might be planning some blockbuster 10th anniversary content for the middle of the year to commemorate my first foray into Columbo blogging here waaaaay back in June 2015.
Happily, my lack of output has nothing to do with my daughter’s current health. She continues to recover well from her ghastly year of treatment in 2024 and we remain optimistic that a long and happy life lies ahead for her. At the time of writing, she’s enjoying an extended break with my wife in Europe, living it up in Paris and London as my son and I subsist on a frugal diet in Oz to avoid bankrupting the family.
Despite this, we are all battling some mental scars, and my own bouts of gloom are the single-biggest factor in a lack of blogging output. I still heart the good Lieutenant, of course, but putting pen to paper on the subject, so to speak, feels like an almighty effort. Indeed, looking back on the blog’s ‘glory years’ of 2017-2021, I can scarcely believe my output was so high.
At the time my daughter was rediagnosed in July 2023, I’d also reached a milestone in my Columbo chronicling. I’d recently completed the 69th and final episode review, and even though there’s no shortage of topics that could still be covered, I wasn’t necessarily leaving readers on a cliffhanger, wondering when or if I’d ever complete my Magnum Opus.
So, is there a future for the blog? Well, it certainly won’t be going anywhere, and it continues to attract impressive visitor figures and keen commentary despite the dearth of new content. But I can’t envisage a time when I’ll be back at the Columbo grindstone on a weekly basis like in years gone by.
However, if there are any sensational Columbo developments (e.g. reboot) or noteworthy matters, I’ll be sure to wade in on the debate and do what I can to raise awareness amongst the community of fellow Lieutenant lovers.
Speaking of which…
Hardcore fans will doubtless already have a copy of David Koenig’s marvellous Shooting Columbo book but if you haven’t, now’s the time to right that wrong as an expanded paperback version has just been released!
If you’re not familiar with the book, it’s a behind-the-scenes exposé of all 69 Columbo episodes, which David compiled after being granted unprecedented access to production notes and studio materials gain a glimpse of the show never previously revealed to the public! It’s one of the best and most significant Columbo books ever written and you can order your copy here. You won’t regret it!
There’s also another Columbo book in the wings, which is the work of long-time Columbophile blog commentator (and occasional contributor), Glenn Stewart!
Although I have not seen an official synopsis, Glenn’s tome is entitled Columbo Explains The Seventies, and, if my understanding is correct, it consists of a collection of essays on a variety of Columbo topics and how they relate to common aspects of life in the 1970s.
Most of the content has never been seen before, but some of Glenn’s excellent contributions to the blog will also be included. You can revisit some of those subjects right here.
Regular readers of the blog will doubtless be aware of Glenn, and I’m sure we all wish him well with the book. Once it’s on sale I’ll post more information on it so keen Columbophiles can get their trotters on a copy tout de suite.
That’s about all I have to report for now. Once again, apologies for the radio silence – particularly if you have emailed me in the past year, because I either haven’t had the heart to reply or it has simply passed me by. To quote the poor, late Bertie Hastings from The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case, “I’ll try to do better…”
I am so glad to hear your daughter is doing well. I was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma in 2010, the prognosis was not great, not terrible, (a more or less 50% survival rate per 5 years from diagnosis – so I am now, more or less, in the bottom 12% or so) and it caused a great many upheavals in my life.
I am not in remission but a much less (to the public) common situation my oncologist refers to as indolency. My cancer ran rampant spreading from my liver to my spleen, spine, lungs and pelvis…and then just stopped dead one day. The tumors are still present – and agonizing! – but are entombed now in spiky calcium deposits (hence the agony). A bitter irony that my illness getting ‘better’ made the pain much worse! It’s fine though, I’m happily married, I own a house and somewhat significant property the only real trouble I have is feeling like I’m being stabbed all the time. Owell!
Whenever I do a rewatch of Columbo I use this blog as a read-along resource and always enjoy your writing style and insights. Even those I’ve read many times! I’ve even contributed a few shekels over the years.
So, anyway, sorry to ramble, let me try to land the plane:
I wish your family luck and good health and hope that in some small way my experience living with cancer for so long can act as evidence that long and happy life with serious illness is possible.
Thank you so much for this blog and good luck.
Actress Antoinette Bower, who portrayed Frances Galesko in Negative Reaction along with Dick Van Dyke, died April 30, 2026 at the age of 93. Her death was recently announced. She was born September 30, 1932.
God bless Ms. Bower! She was an awesome character actress. I loved her as Sylvia, an evil alien cat, on Star Trek. She really wanted Capt. Kirk but he rightfully put her in her place. R.I.P.