G’day fellow Lieutenant lovers. Anyone who read my latest mini blog post will know celebrations are in order as there’s a new Columbo book out!
Better yet, the book, entitled Columbo Explains the Seventies, was penned by Columbophile blog contributor – and all-round good guy – Glenn Stewart, so you can be assured it’s full of meticulously researched and well-reasoned material.
In a nutshell, Columbo Explains the Seventies explores how 70s’ Columbo reflected the social and cultural issues of the time, including (but not limited to) class conflict, feminism, race relations, sex, politics and new technologies.
The thought process behind the book
Rather than paraphrase Glenn, I’ll pass on verbatim the responses he sent to a couple of questions about the book and the inspiration behind it…
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“I was inspired to write the book as I was rewatching 70s episodes and often found myself realizing that there were multiple moments that might be considered questionable viewing today. Columbo’s conversation with 14-year-old Caroline in The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case is an oft-cited example, but there are others.
“In Ransom For a Dead Man, he says “I don’t know how you work for a woman.” That episode also has some racially insensitive realities of the early 70s that nobody questioned back then, even Columbo’s bright and perceptive viewers. The era was accepting of some cultural standards that are today seen as untenable. That’s a truth whether or not you agree or disagree with “woke politics”. Our culture changes.
“I began to find plenty of examples where Columbo was reflecting and sharing the values of the 70s’ world around it. The classic episodes are a form of history. What could those original episodes explain to us about class conflict, power struggles, feminism, race relations, sex, technology, media, psychology, politics, and violence? How is this particular TV cop a product of his particular time?
“I don’t believe that other TV shows of the decade can reflect these social issues as well as Columbo, which was intelligent television and is worthy of intelligent debate. Although the book is designed to be read by anyone with a passing knowledge of the show, it does help to have some familiarity with the episodes.
“We already know that Classic Columbo’s overall quality makes it extremely rewatchable, and I’m hopeful that the book will give fans reason to watch once again to see how Columbo relates to the decade. Better still, perhaps viewers who grew up in the 70s, like me, can find connections that I didn’t make between events of the era and our favorite detective.”
Get your hands on a copy
Columbo Explains the Seventies is published by Bonaventure Press and is available in hardcover ($32.95), trade paperback ($22.95) and Kindle ebook ($9.99).
It’s available to purchase on Amazon in various jurisdictions, so you oughtn’t have too much trouble getting your trotters on a copy.
Buy on Amazon US here
Buy on Amazon UK here
Buy on Amazon Australia here
Buy on Amazon Canada here
On behalf of Columbo fans the world over, here’s hoping Glenn’s book is a commercial and critical hit – and one that will have those good people at Greenleaf Publishing champing at the bit to add him into their stable of writers.
Until next time, happy reading/viewing/reminiscing…
Just noticed Clive refill who played Joe devlin in the conspitors has died although it was one of my least favourite episodes from the seventies it is sad has columbophile published this yet
Thanks so much for notifying us about any Columbo book that releases! I, of course, bought this instantly.
It occurs to me that if we leave reviews for this product on Amazon it might help out Glenn. Best wishes.
Casey, I can’t deny that would be much appreciated….but only if you truly enjoy it!
Thanks for cheering me up! For the first time in years I owe taxes instead of getting a refund 😞 But I think I can afford this book! Sounds great! 😁
The book sounds terrific, and I look forward to reading it. The 1970s is one of my favorite decades to study, and I am especially fond of the films of the time. I have always regarded “Columbo” as the cream of dramatic television of the time. While there were many comedy and some animated shows that responded to the moment, for me, “Columbo” was the dramatic series to do so most effectively/incisively (though “The Name of the Game” is an interesting precursor). There were also fascinating entries in the “Movie of the Week” broadcasts.
Just ordered it! Can’t wait to read it! I wish you all the success in the work with this book!
—Russell
Cheers Glenn! Many congratulations on the publishing of your book. I’ve always enjoyed your insightful, well funded comments and contributions to this blog, so ordered it immediately and can’t wait to read it.
I’ve done some studying of
the seventies (in particular art, theatre) in Europe, am very curious to read about the differences and similarities with the States.
Kudos, Glenn! I grew up in the 70s when Columbo was in full swing so I can’t wait to read your observations. I was into the Brady Bunch and Happy Days since Columbo was a little too cerebral for me but my parents loved the series. I guess that’s where I get my love for the Lieutenant. The 70s era of the series is truly timeless entertainment!
Years ago in an interview, I heard Harry Shearer (best known for doing many of the voices in The Simpsons) talk about a “conservation of taboos.” That is, when one thing ceases to be taboo, something else becomes taboo. The relaxed standards on sex and profanity included a blizzard of new rules for cultural sensitivities.
I’m interested, but this is one where I would really like to read a sample chapter to see what approach is taken. I was born in 1960, so I grew up in the 70’s, and I’m well aware that then is not now, but if the tone is “Oh, look how ignorant/obtuse/wicked those people were compared to the paragons we are today” I’d take a pass. What did L.P. Hartley say? “The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there.”
I do agree, however, that Swan Song shows some highly prejudiced attitudes towards country singers.
Mr. Parker, I wholeheartedly agree. I’m tired of people trying to make us feel guilty about the way people acted half a century ago. We may supposedly be more enlightened about being sensitive towards people and issues nowadays, but that doesn’t mean that we were bad people back then. I’m a little suspicious of this new book as well. I don’t need any more fingers wagged in my face.
There were people back then who behaved badly, and there were people who did not–a situation that exists today as well. No reason to feel guilty about it. The question is how does a person behave today, and how do they approach the consequences of bad behavior that occurred in the past.
The book is a look at how Columbo reflects and fits into elements of the 70s decade. There are no judgments to be feared. Making my own tsk-tsking culture verdicts in a book about Columbo would probably be a bit short-sighted to the bottom line of encouraging readership.
Sounds interesting! It’s an interesting premise because good tv shows are a product of their times and Columbo certainly reflected and, in a lot of ways, commented on those times.
I haven’t watched “Ransom” for a while and I don’t remember the racially insensitive part so I’ll have to rewatch it. When I think of things that are cringeworthy in the current times I always think of Columbo striking up a conversation with a child on a park bench in “Identity Crisis”. A dude in an overcoat sitting on an amusement park bench and talking to a kid would be a reason to call the cops!
Yes. I’m aware of this book. But thanks for reminding me to take out of my Amazon wishlist and into my basket!!
Thank you, good sir! Any recommendation from you is a good-hearted & highly valued one. Just placed my order & beyond eager to read Stewart’s book. Talk about being in my literary wheelhouse!