After an eight-month rest to recover from the trauma of ‘No Time to Die’, Columbo burst back onto screens in November 1992 investigating a triple homicide in ‘A Bird in the Hand..’ Worth the wait, or one to forget? Let’s see…
Patrick McGoohan stepped up from mere guest star status to directing and guest starring in Identity Crisis – the third episode of Columbo’s fifth season. It’s full of fun, but what are its very best moments? Let’s take a look…
Upcoming murder mystery series ‘Poker Face’ is promising to be one show Columbo fans should keep an eye on given that it could be the closest thing we’ll ever get to a reboot.
Often referenced by fans as the single worst Columbo ever made, No Time to Die is certainly an adventure like no other for the Lieutenant. Is it as truly terrible as its reputation suggests, or could it be considered a brave and underrated departure for a series struggling for relevance? Let’s take the plunge and find out…
Being the 50th anniversary of Columbo’s first season airing, 2021 was a pleasingly big year for new books about our favourite Lieutenant. Here are a few titles you might have missed…
An oft-overlooked episode, ‘A Case of Immunity’ nevertheless stands out as a unique entry into the series, dealing, as it does, with Middle Eastern political machinations. What are its most memorable moments? Let’s have a look…
Author David Koenig has solved a puzzle that many Columbo fans didn’t know needed solving: uncovering the true identity of the officious Tricon lady from ‘An Exercise in Fatality’. Who is she? Read on to find out…
First airing on December 15, 1991, and starring the irrepressible Rip Torn, is ‘Death Hits the Jackpot’ a winning lottery ticket of an episode, or a rubbishy $5 scratch card? Let’s tune in and find out…
The site update is now with us. Here’s what’s new, what’s changed and what to expect. Thoughts welcome (as long as they’re kind and gushy)…
In this guest essay, Michael Zuzel asks why a character as memorable as Lieutenant Columbo was trapped in so many forgettable stories. Controversial? Let’s see…
Forgive the sheer mundanity of the post, but I thought I’d best alert readers to some imminent changes to the website, which may otherwise catch you unawares…
At times a real emotional rollercoaster, ‘Forgotten Lady’ kicked off Columbo’s fifth season in unforgettable fashion. What are its highest highs? Let’s take a look…
From Jags and Rollers to Corvettes, Cadillacs and Ferraris, 70s Columbo was awash with enough four-wheeled beauties to satisfy the cravings of any enthusiast. Classic car expert Marco DuBose shares his thoughts on the best of the best…
Ace lawyer Hugh Creighton doesn’t know what it’s like to be beaten in a legal tussle – but then, he never had to face Lieutenant Columbo until deciding to murder his cheating lover. Who will win this clash of the titans?
With every year that passes, the pool of Columbo supporting stars gradually diminishes. Here I chronicle the Columbo contributors we lost over the past 12 months.
Season’s greetings to you all at the end of what has been a trying year at Columbophile HQ! Here’s the latest from me as the curtain falls on 2021…
Due to popular demand, and to mark the 50th anniversary of the debut of Columbo’s first season in 1971, a final 50 prints of the original Columbo painting from ‘Murder: A Self Portrait’ are now on sale.
Why the 50th anniversary of the first airing of ‘Murder by the Book’ on September 15 is an event worth celebrating!
The most significant Columbo book in decades is set for release this September. Here’s what’s in store, as well as info on how you can order your advance copy
Boasting the longest title of any Columbo episode, Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health first aired on February 20, 1991. Starring George Hamilton as murderous TV host Wade Anders, is it a delicious slice of perma-tanned goodness, or a chain-smoking horror of an episode? Let’s take a closer look…
Quick update on the latest situation with my dear daughter’s condition and the future of the blog.
I’m afraid it has been a tough time for all at Columbophile HQ and the blog will remain on the backburner for the foreseeable future.
Columbo was a pretty family-friendly show that rarely made for unsettling viewing. However, the series sometimes dropped stark reminders of what a foul and terrifying business murder really is – and that’s what we’re considering today…
The parting shot of Columbo’s stellar fourth season, A Deadly State of Mind arguably tops few fans’ favourite episode lists, but it remains a strong entry into the canon nevertheless. Just what are its highest highs? Time for a closer look…
Many a desperate killer has threatened to report Columbo to his superiors in order to afford themself breathing space as the investigation heats up. But what about those times when the Lieutenant’s actions actually warranted a complaint? That’s what we’re considering today…
Revisiting the official Columbo pilot episode Ransom for a Dead Man, which first aired 50 years ago on March 1st, 1971. Revel in its majesty and watch the episode in full right here!
Almost seven months after the debacle of Murder in Malibu, the Lieutenant stormed back onto screens with the seeming intent of educating a new generation of sceptical viewers in Columbo Goes to College. An A+ episode, or a certain flunk? Let’s see…
He may not have the highest profile or have played a major role, but Bruce Kirby was nevertheless Columbo royalty. Here I chronicle the contribution he made to the series over a period of more than 20 years.
Apologies for the radio silence, gang. It’s been a tumultuous few weeks at Columbophile HQ…
Despite the impressive longevity of a high proportion of its guest stars, sadly no year elapses without a number of Columbo contributors passing on. Let’s raise a glass to the Columbo stars we lost in 2020, and thank them for the indelible mark they left on our favourite show.
A torrid year rounded out on a further low note for Columbo fans with the news that character co-creator William Link passed away on December 27. Here I offer a humble tribute to this goliath of TV production and creation.
As a brutal year limps to its conclusion in the hope of better things to come, the annual countdown of Columbo fans’ favourite episodes could be just the tonic to bolster flagging spirits. Can Any Old Port finally be toppled from its perch? Let’s find out…
It’s an episode that tends to fly somewhat beneath the radar, but Season 4’s penultimate outing, Playback, still packs quite a punch. Here’s my take on the episode’s outstanding moments…
The fans have spoken and I can now reveal the most popular ‘new’ Columbo episodes of them all. Does your favourite from the 1989-2003 era make the list?
SAINTS BE PRAISED! The 50-year-old Columbo mystery surrounding the identity of the nude model from Suitable for Framing has finally and officially been put to bed!
Murder in Malibu is one of the most derided Columbo episodes ever made. Could it be a case of ‘so bad it’s good’? Or is it simply so bad it’s terrible? With some trepidation, I invite you to join me for a closer look…
It’s one of the most entertaining 90 minutes of TV one could ever dive into, so it’s little wonder Troubled Waters retains a special place in the hearts of a huge majority of Columbo fans. What are its most magnificent moment? Here are my top five takes…
I like little more than flinging on a Columbo t-shirt and strutting about like a pouter pigeon. If you’re the same, it could be time to visit the Columbophile TeePublic store, which is stocking an expanded range of designs paying homage to the dear Lieutenant.
Over the course of its 69 outings, Columbo dished up an impressive 92 fatalities – that’s an average of 1.33 corpses per episode. But who died via which grisly methods? Read on and find out…
Devilish dentistry was under the proverbial microscope on April 28, 1990 as the fifth outing of Columbo’s ninth season aired under the witty title of Uneasy Lies the Crown. Is this a truly toothsome televisual treat, or ought it to be extracted from our collective consciousness forthwith? Let’s take a closer look…
Submit your vote for the best Columbo episode released between 1989 and 2003 and let’s see which of the Lieutenant’s ‘new’ adventures have most captured the hearts and minds of fans.
A funeral took place on March 31, 1990, one to which we were all invited: Mrs Columbo’s! Yes folks, this time it’s personal as the widow of one of the Lieutenant’s previous arrests is out for revenge against the detective and his wife. Let’s see how successful her attempt is…
While it’s a bit more straight-faced than the average Columbo, there is no shortage of magical moments in By Dawn’s Early Light, which welcomed Patrick McGoohan to the series. My personal episode highlights are chronicled here…
The remarkable real-life story of how Columbo made love possible between two strangers who live 5000 miles apart on either side of the Atlantic.
Saints be praised! Columbo’s revival was given one of the biggest boosts imaginable when Patrick McGoohan returned to the show to star in and direct Agenda for Murder. Can it be as good as it sounds? Let’s find out…
Exciting news if you love both fine art and Lieutenant Columbo – the last ever limited edition print run of the Columbo painting from Murder, A Self Portrait is available now! Get in quick to avoid a life time of regret…
Who put in the strongest claims to be considered the best-dressed Columbo killers of all? Let’s head to the catwalk and find out…
Negative Reaction is one of the series’ most enjoyable outings, being packed with fun. But just what are its very finest moments? It’s a tough call, but you can read my top 5 scenes are right here…
Columbo’s first foot in the 1990s was a thoroughly modern and unique outing, with the Lieutenant investigating a suspected murder within the ‘naughty magazine’ sector. Can a change of formula and pace give the series a much-needed shot in the arm? Let’s hope so…
The countdown of the top 100 Columbo scenes of the 70s officially ends here. Can you resist the urge to scroll all the way down to find out the number one before reading the rest?
Good news if you’re a Columbo fan based in the United States – every one of the Lieutenant’s 69 televised adventures is available to view, for free, via on-demand streaming service, Peacock.
It’s been a looooooong journey so far, but this is where things start to get really serious as we enter the top 20 of the 100 best Columbo scenes of the 70s. Which episodes are repping today? Let’s see…
Ten more magnificent moments await as we creep inexorably closer to unveiling the greatest Columbo moment of them all. What’s in store? Let’s see…
Six down and four to go! Today we count down from #40-31 in the Columbo top 100 scenes of the 70s and I can guarantee you it’s all hits, no filler. Check out the latest entries here…
Things are really heating up now as we creep towards the business end of the countdown of the 100 finest Columbo scenes from his classic era. Check out the first 10 scenes from the top 50 here…
Even if you’ve seen every episode a million times, I can guarantee you’ll still take delight in the latest entries in the countdown of the 100 greatest Columbo scenes of the 70s.
Welcome back to 10 more of the most enjoyable moments ever committed to celluloid as the countdown of the 100 greatest Columbo scenes of the 70s continues at pace. Today we’re looking at #70-61 on the list…
You know the drill by now: here are 10 more magical moments from Columbo’s classic era, selected by a panel of experts for your viewing pleasure. Dive in to see what treasures await…
Well folks, the ball is well and truly rolling now on the countdown to reveal the greatest Columbo scenes from 1968-78, so let’s dive in and savour #90-81 on the list…
GET EXCITED! The first ever attempt at publishing a definitive list of Columbo’s 100 greatest moments is upon us! So, let’s get this party started and take a look at #100-91 on the list…
Starring Belgian Bond villain Patrick Bauchau as artist extraordinaire Max Barsini, as well as a bevvy of beauties that includes Shera Danese in her biggest Columbo role to date, Murder, A Self Portrait has a look and feel entirely of its own. But is it any good? Let’s take a look…
Playwright pens a Columbo prequel that aims to shed light on the future Lieutenant’s formative years as a homicide detective in New York. Could you help get the script in front of relevant TV power players?
Featuring a heavyweight clash between Columbo and Milo Janus, Season 4 opener An Exercise in Fatality is a muscular beast of an episode that packs quite a punch. What are its very best bits? Let’s take a look…
Grown men were playing with toy soldiers – repeatedly – when Columbo plodded back onto screens for his season finale on May 1, 1989. Can Grand Deceptions deliver a new Columbo adventure that proudly sits shoulder-to-shoulder with the best efforts from the 70s? Let’s see…
Here’s some news that is guaranteed to make the hearts of Columbo fans SING: a panel of experts and enthusiasts have got their heads together to compile a (reasonably) definitive list of the Lieutenant’s greatest moments from his classic era.
Columbo episodes don’t come much better than A Friend in Deed, which features a mouth-watering confrontation between the Lieutenant and Deputy Police Commissioner, Mark Halperin. What are its best moments? Here’s my take…
Starring Lindsay Crouse as renowned sex therapist Dr Joan Allenby, Sex & The Married Detective is a titillatingly titled adventure that promises to break at least a few of the series’ taboo subjects. But is it any good? Or even remotely sexy? Let’s investigate…
Which Columbo character is a dead-ringer for a member of The Muppets? And which could effortlessly deputise for Donald Trump at a press photo call? Let’s take a look…
We must assume – whether we like it or not – that a Columbo reboot will happen at some point. The show’s too enshrined in popular culture for it to be left untouched forever. Here’s what I consider the most palatable options for a reboot to be.
Diving between the covers of ‘The Columbo Collection’ – an anthology of 12 short stories written by character co-creator William Link.
You could be forgiven a flash of déjà vu when tuning into Murder, Smoke & Shadows, with Lieutenant Columbo yet again investigating crime on a movie lot. Is it the Columbo equivalent of a silver-screen classic, or is it more of a straight-to-DVD fiasco? Let’s find out…
A brief tribute to Columbo killer Honor Blackman, star of 1972’s ‘Dagger of the Mind’, who sadly passed away on 6th April at the age of 94.
When an episode of Columbo features as beloved a figure as Johnny Cash, you better believe it’s going to live long in the memory – and so it proves with Swan Song, the penultimate episode of season 3. Which scenes are the standouts? Here’s my hot take…
Although few fans realise it, beyond the boundaries of the television screen exist canonical Columbo adventures in printed form – some of which are really rather good. Here I review ‘The Dean’s Death’, written by Alfred Lawrence and first published in 1975.
After 11 years of reruns, the Man in the Mac was BACK on 6th February, 1989, going head-to-head with a dastardly psychic in Columbo Goes to the Guillotine. A magnificent comeback, or a hideous portent of things to come? Let’s investigate…
As I prepare to delve into Columbo’s ‘new’ episodes from 1989 onwards, it’s worth revisiting why the series came back when it did, and how the world reacted to it.
Following on from the ‘Best Of’ Awards article of last week, today we consider the lesser Columbo episodes and killers of the classic era, the moments that make us cringe and the characters that we’d gladly never see again.
Now we’ve worked our way through 45 classic Columbo episode reviews it’s time to celebrate all that’s good about the 70s’ series at a lavish awards ceremony! Fancy…
Now I’ve reviewed all 45 ‘classic era’ Columbo episodes, I’m in a position to accurately assess the strength of all seven seasons. Which one’s the best overall? Let’s investigate…
May 13, 1978 truly marked the end of an epoch as the very final Columbo episode of the classic era, The Conspirators, hit the airwaves. Was the network right when they insisted the series would go ‘this far, and no farther?’ Let’s take a closer look…
Remembering the Columbo contribution of Robert Conrad (AKA Milo Janus), who sadly passed away on 8th February at the age of 84.
Mind Over Mayhem may be a bit of a dog’s dinner, but there’s no such thing as a Columbo episode that is completely without merit. What are it’s best moments? Let’s see…
Is season 7’s penultimate outing, How to Dial a Murder, a suitably thrilling, snarling attack dog of an episode? Or is it more of an irritating yapping pooch ready to be kicked into next week? Let’s have a look…
From writers and directors to the talented actors who brought Columbo alive on the screen, here is a brief tribute to the Columbo stars we said a permanent farewell to 2019. May they continue to bring us delight in the years ahead every time we catch an episode.
Given that there hasn’t been a new Columbo episode in more than 15 years, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the show was old news. You’d be wrong! This review of the Columbo year aims to succinctly fill you in on anything you might have missed…
What better way to end the year than with a celebration of the very best of Columbo in the shape of fans’ top 10 episodes? Thousands more votes have been cast, so let’s see who’s top of the tree…
Apparently Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned – a premise put to the test in Make Me a Perfect Murder. Is it a sure-fire ratings hit, or a dismal flop certain to lead to bungling TV executives being given their marching orders? Let’s find out…
Columbo is the greatest detective of them all – but that doesn’t mean it was free from fault. Far from it. And some of its worst moments were very bad indeed. Here I chronicle 12 of the series’ most nightmarish scenes. Read on if you dare…
Exciting news! Mark Dawidziak’s masterpiece tome The Columbo Phile has been reprinted to mark its 30th anniversary and is available now at a very reasonable price!
Starring Louis Jourdan as murderous food critic Paul Gerard, and notable for featuring more aspic per square yard of film than any other television production ever, Murder Under Glass is certain to expand waistlines merely by watching. But is Michelin Star-worthy? Let’s find out…
Sherlock and Dr Who writer/producer Steven Moffat has clarified his stance on Columbo following an interview in which he revealed he’d failed in a bid to bring the Lieutenant back to screens.
Steven Moffat, creator and writer of hit UK television series Sherlock and Doctor Who, has revealed he failed in a bid to secure the rights to Columbo. Here’s why I think that’s GREAT news!
Every once in a while I’m stunned to encounter a Columbo fan who doubts the existence of the Lieutenant’s wife. Here I lay out the evidence for Mrs Columbo and pinpoint the moments that prove she’s the real deal.
Many Columbo fans rate Try & Catch Me among their very favourite episodes – and I’m no different. But just what is it about season 7’s opener that makes it such a winner? Let’s take a look…
Congratulations to the lucky winner of the Columbo ‘Suitable for Framing’ competition of last week – but don’t despair if it ain’t you, because you can still get your trotters on a discounted copy of the print until 1 December.
Yes folks, it really is almost that time of year again when we turn our attentions to Christmas wish lists for ourselves and our nearest and dearest. Here I outline a range of splendid stocking fillers that are simply guaranteed to delight Columbo fans.
Here’s a piece of artwork Columbo fans will be desperate to get their fingerprints all over – a print of a magnificent painting created by the uber-talented Alistair Little. And here’s how you can win a copy of your own!
May 22, 1977 was a red-letter day in televisual history. It was the day the best-ever TV episode hit our screens; it was the day The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case first aired. Just why is this a Columbo outing with no equal? Let’s find out…
As TV shows go, the ill-conceived and ill-fated Mrs Columbo really takes the cake when it comes to alienating audiences. But Columbo featured enough terrific characters to have pulled off some wonderful spin-off series. Here I consider what might have been…
Although it’s often regarded as the lesser light of Jack Cassidy’s three Columbo outings, I actually think Publish or Perish is the uber-villain’s finest hour. But just what are its very, very finest scenes? Here’s what I reckon…
Not many Columbo guest stars were as close to Peter Falk as Ed Begley Jr. Here, the two-time guest star discusses his recollections of appearing on the show, as well as his friendship with Peter Falk that spanned decades.
You can’t beat a good Columbo ‘gotcha’, but not every episode packs a punch when it matters most. Here I consider the 10 least satisfying Columbo gotchas of the 70s. What do YOU think?
The murky, potentially unexciting, world of family museums was explored in Old Fashioned Murder – the second episode of Columbo’s sixth season. Is it a solid gold belt buckle of an episode, or is it more of a rusty old pot? Let’s see…
Few episodes in TV history are as entertaining as Double Exposure, which features some of the greatest cat-and-mouse interchanges between hero and villain ever written. What are its absolute highlights? Take a look…
Some we love, others we love to hate but just who are Columbo fans’ absolute favourite series’ murderers? Thousands of votes have been cast, so let’s see who’s on your list…
In-jokes abound greeted viewers for the opening episode of Columbo’s sixth season, as the world’s leading TV detective investigated a murder carried out by… the world’s leading TV detective in the meta-tastic Fade in to Murder. Let’s see if it’s any cop…
BFFs John Cassavetes and Peter Falk teamed up to devastating effect in fan favourite episode Etude in Black in 1972. And the wonderful news is that Etude is the latest episode to be made available in full to keen viewers via the official Columbo YouTube channel.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, Columbo’s fifth season can perhaps best be described as a roller coaster ride. But how does it compare overall to what’s come before it? Let’s take a closer look…
May 2nd, 1976 looked set to be the end of an era. With Peter Falk out of contract, Last Salute to the Commodore threatened to be Lieutenant Columbo’s swan song. Is it a bon voyage, or is it dredging untold depths? Let’s take a deep breath and find out…
Candidate for Crime is almost a brilliant Columbo episode, but is let down by the padding required to take it to a 90-minute running time. Nevertheless, it has a number of terrific scenes that still ensures it’s a treat to watch time and again.
Keen viewers looking to enjoy Columbo in glorious high definition can yell ‘HUZZAH’ in glee after Amazon Prime added 9 episodes to its streaming service.
Great news, fellow Columbo lovers! Hot on the heels of my interview with ace author Mark Dawidziak, I can exclusively reveal that there will be a 30th anniversary reissue of his iconic book, The Columbo Phile, later this year.
He may not have appeared in any episodes, but that doesn’t stop Mark Dawidziak from being considered Columbo royalty. Here, the author of the critically acclaimed casebook The Columbo Phile, recalls his experiences of putting the book together as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
ALAKAZAM! As if by magic, master villain Jack Cassidy returned to give Columbo’s fifth season a much-needed boost in the illusion-packed Now You See Him. How good is it? I can’t wait to find out…
Here’s a little sneak preview of some of the Columbo goodies lying in store for readers of the blog – plus some things I need reader assistance with, including talented artists and a 70s’ car enthusiast.
Columbo was enjoying a little sojourn south of the border on 1st February 1976, hanging out with legendary matador Luis Montoya in A Matter of Honor. How will the Lieutenant fare on foreign soil this time round? Let’s see…
Revel in one of the single finest TV episodes ever made – Jack Cassidy’s second turn as a Columbo killer in Publish or Perish. All together now: WHO? WHY?
Now this really is good! The ultimate Columbo locations map is your definitive source for the real-life locations from Columbo. Dive in! You won’t regret it…
For some Columbo episodes, finding five truly great moments can be a challenge. For Any Old Port in a Storm, the opposite is true. Whittling it down to just five top scenes is no easy feat when it’s as packed with greatness as a bottle of Ferrier Vintage port…
Chronicling the occasions when Lieutenant Columbo was seen wearing outfits other than his regular shabby suit and raincoat. How many do you remember?
Lovely but Lethal is a lesser light of the Columbo opus, but is still rammed with enjoyable moments. What are it’s very best scenes? Let’s take a look…
Columbo colossus Patrick McGoohan was back to leave another indelible mark on the series on November 2, 1975, as the show’s fifth season reached its halfway stage in the shape of Identity Crisis. After a comparatively lacklustre season up to now, can the presence of McGoohan elevate this to Columbo’s top table? Let’s see…
Ask a Columbo fan about their very favourite scenes and it’s odds-on that a flash of Columbo rage will rank pretty highly in their estimations. Here I consider six examples of Columbo losing his cool and analyse what these displays of emotion really mean.
The shady world of Middle Eastern political skulduggery was front and centre for Columbo fans on October 12, 1975, as A Case of Immunity first aired. Is it the televisual equivalent of a VIP invite to a Suari Legation garden party, or is it more of a night at home reading Arabian Nights? Let’s take a closer look…
The response to my call out to fill in a reader survey in February made my heart sing with almost 1500 of you completing it. Here are the some of the key findings and action points.
Columbo’s season 5 opener proved that the show had lost none of its ambition by casting Hollywood Royalty Janet Leigh as musical murderess Grace Wheeler-Willis. But can Forgotten Lady win the hearts and minds of a modern audience? Let’s see…
In-show references to Columbo’s previous cases are as rare as hen’s teeth, but they do occasionally surface. Here I chronicle the seven times we get a call back to the Lieutenant’s earlier adventures.
Columbo owes its success as much to the wonderfully cast and charismatic killers as it does to the enduring greatness of Peter Falk. But which of the show’s murderers is the ultimate fan favourite? I’ll leave that up to you to decide…
Now that I’ve sensationally quit the day job, I need your input on my future Columbo endeavours so PLEASE take 5 to fill in a quick reader survey. I’ll heart you forever…
If you long to ‘See The Light’, your chance has arrived after the official Columbo YouTube channel made the crowd-pleasing decision to add Swan Song to their list of available full episodes.
With the cast headlined by the late, great Martin Landau as duplicitous twins Dexter and Norman Paris, Double Shock had it all: pathos, great humour, fully developed secondary characters, plus an actual whodunnit element that kept viewers guessing until the final scene. What are its very, best moments? My thoughts right here…
Despite the Lieutenant’s unmatched deductive prowess, there’s no way all of his arrests will have led to convictions. Here I consider 10 high-profile Columbo killers who would absolutely, positively not be going to jail – even though they’re guilty as sin.
A Columbo short story competition, launched late last year to mark the show’s 50th anniversary, has concluded – and you can read the top entries right here! Fill yer boots…
The day has finally come! You can enjoy Dale Kingston’s crushed velvet tuxedo in full HD glory as Suitable for Framing has joined the episodes available on the official Columbo YouTube channel. So what are you waiting for…?
The cut-throat world of championship chess was firmly in the spotlight in Columbo Season 2 spectacular The Most Dangerous Match, which featured Laurence Harvey as borderline insane Grand Master Emmett Clayton. Here are my top 5 episode highlights…
With the passing of another year, here I chronicle the Columbo stars and contributors we said ‘bon voyage’ to in 2018. May they live long in the memory…
For a show that ceased producing new episodes more than 15 years ago, there’s still a heck of a lot of Columbo activity going on in the world. Here are some of the talking points you might have missed in 2018…
The line-up of Columbo killers makes for the very best sort of rogues’ gallery, with everyone from college kids to lovable grandmas represented. But have you ever stopped to think who your absolute favourite Columbo killers are? That’s the journey of discovery I’ve been on here.
Considering whether Season 4 truly marks the high water mark for Columbo as a show, and assessing the best season overall based on the consistent quality of its episodes. Dive in!
Good news! If you like cooking and love Columbo, you’ll be cock-a-hoop about the opportunity to win a pre-Christmas copy of the critically acclaimed Cooking with Columbo book. Here’s how you could win…
It’s fo’ sho’ one of the best ever Columbo episodes, with Leonard Nimoy fiendishly good as the uber-evil Dr Mayfield. What are A Stitch In Crime’s absolute highlights? Let’s apply our surgical masks and have a closer look…
Following five excellent episodes, Columbo’s fourth season rounded out on 27 April 1975 in the suave form of A Deadly State of Mind. Does it usher out Season 4 in suitably strong style? Let’s have a look…
This blog smashed through the million views landmark at the end of last week – a testament to the enduring love Lieutenant Columbo still garners from all over the world. A huge thanks to you all for your kind words, support and encouragement since launch in 2015.
Another belter of an episode is now available to view in full on the Columbo YouTube channel – this time Season 3 curtain-caller A Friend in Deed. It’s one of the very best, so fill yer boots!
Columbo was at the cutting edge on 2 March 1975, as the penultimate episode of Season 4 presented a strikingly modern vision of how LA’s rich and famous could live. But can Playback’s technical wizardry still be taken seriously by today’s audience? Let’s strap on our digital watches and set the CCTV cameras rolling as we find out…
It’s time to dust off the vintage typewriter and channel your inner Jim Ferris/Abigail Mitchell in a new Columbo writing competition. Intrigued? Then read on!
As this site nears its MILLIONTH PAGE VIEW, here’s a little competition to show my gratitude to the Columbo community for their support of the site. You guys are da best!
Great news! The Columbo YouTube channel is adding full episodes again, recommencing proceedings with the sensational Try & Catch Me from Season 7. HASHTAG WINNING!
Columbo confronts one of his idols as he crosses wits with former silver screen siren Nora Chandler in Requiem for a Falling Star. A high-profile case, then, but what are its highest highs? My thoughts right here…
When Columbo took to the high seas on 9 February 1975, you better have packed your sense of fun – because this is an adventure like no other for the dear Lieutenant. But is Troubled Waters plain sailing all the way, or a star-crossed journey destined for Davy Jones’s locker? I can’t wait to find out…
Legendary Columbo commentator Mark Dawidziak, author of The Columbo Phile book, has published a fine tribute to the show to mark its 50th anniversary. Every fan ought to read it!
Eager readers may have noticed / become enraged by a recent lack of updates on the Columbophile blog. For that I can only apologise and assure you that things will change – and soon!
October 27, 1974 was a BIG DAY in Columbo circles: it was the day Patrick McGoohan made his series’ debut in By Dawn’s Early Light. Is it a full-blooded hero of an episode, or the televisual equivalent of a pathetic Boodle Boy? Read on, soldier!
In what has become a charming annual tradition, in the middle of each year I fling open the proverbial doors to fellow Columbo fans and invite them to cast their votes for their single favourite episode. So for your viewing pleasure, here are fans’ top 10 Columbo episodes, as of August 2018. Is your fave here?
For all those regular readers who have been asking what guest contributor Rich Weill has been up to, this one’s for you! The Columbo super-fan has been a busy bee…
There’s barely a Columbo fan alive who doesn’t love the painting of the Lieutenant from Murder, A Self Portrait. And you can now get a print version of it for your own humble home! Hashtag winning!
It’s a question that has taxed fans for decades: did Lieutenant Columbo have only one eye like his alter ego Peter Falk? Let’s weigh up the evidence…
Casting the lovable Dick Van Dyke as a cold-hearted killer in Negative Reaction seemed something of a risky move, on paper at least. Can the comic performer convince in the role? Let’s find out…
Considering the reasons why Columbo remains an enjoyable and important viewing experience today, more than 50 years after it first aired.
A homage to the British murder mysteries of the early 1900s, Dagger of the Mind has its fans. But for many others this is a bewildering, even ludicrous tale of murder and cover-up set against the backdrop of London’s theatrical scene. So just what are its best moments?
Despite their near-mythical status, Columbo’s raincoat and shoes from the 70s’ series went unsold at an auction in New York this week after failing to reach the reserve price. Will they ever see the light of day again?
Featuring Robert Culp at his beastliest as moustached murderer Paul Hanlon, The Most Crucial Game from Season 2 is packed with great moments. But which rise to the surface like a block of ice just used to club a man to death in a pool? Here’s my take…
The iconic Columbo raincoat and shoes go under the hammer at an auction this June after failing to find a buyer in November 2017. What will it cost to get your hands on a piece of TV history?
Four months after Season 3 ended in thrilling style, Columbo burst back on to screens in the trim, taut and terrific form of An Exercise in Fatality. But how does it compare to all that’s come before it? Let’s turn back the clocks to September 15, 1974 and find out…
Debating the merits of favourite Columbo episodes with a fellow fan is one of the most enjoyable pastimes ever. But have you ever wondered which episodes Peter Falk liked most? If so, your sleepless nights are at an end!
Unpacking the myth that no less a luminary than George C. Scott had an uncredited role as a TV studio technician in 1978’s Make Me a Perfect Murder. Was he really there? Let’s find out…
With Peter Falk in scintillating form and Ray Milland delivering an array of delicious put downs, The Greenhouse Jungle raises many smiles. But just what are its top 5 moments? My thoughts here…
Columbo took a dark twist for its Season 3 finale, with A Friend in Deed pitting the Lieutenant against his own superior officer, Deputy Commissioner Mark Halperin. Is it a shining jewel in the Columbo crown, or just too dark for its own good? Let’s see…
‘Were you a witness to what he just did?’ Now you can be! Enjoy Dick Van Dyke’s splendid turn as murderous photographer Paul Galesko in Negative Reaction on the Columbo YouTube channel.
The big budget Etude in Black, the first episode of Columbo’s second season, was ‘event television’ in the truest sense – and remains many fans’ favourite episode. But just what are its absolute highlights? Here’s my take on Etude’s top 5 scenes…
Hell hath no fury like a doctor scorned – and no medical man has a meaner spirit than Leonard Nimoy’s devilish Dr Barry Mayfield. Now you can enjoy watching Columbo A Stitch in Crime in full online thanks to the official Columbo YouTube channel.
April 1 2018 struck a sombre note for Columbo fans with news that Steven Bochco had died at the age of 74 after a long battle with leukemia. Although small compared to his main body of work, Bochco’s Columbo contribution remains one of the most celebrated of all.
It perenially tops the chart of Columbo fans’ very favourite episode and now you can view Any Old Port in a Storm online in HD thanks...
Over a period of 23 years, six killers had the chance to extinguish Lieutenant Columbo’s life force – either in the heat of the moment or as a premeditated act. Can’t remember them all? Then here’s a short overview of the six times Columbo diced with death…
Thanks to those lovely people at the Columbo YouTube channel, Robert Culp’s magnificent Columbo debut in 1971’s Death Lends a Hand is now available to view in full HD glory.
Courtesy of the official Columbo YouTube channel, full episodes of the greatest TV show of all time are now available in the public domain. For your viewing pleasure, here’s Murder by the Book in full HD glory. I’ll drink to that!
Here’s a televisual treat for all fans of Lieutenant Columbo: an official YouTube channel packed with high quality, HD clips and full episodes!
We’ve all seen the freeze frame close-ups of Columbo’s ID badge that state that his first name is ‘Frank’. But should we consider this canonical? I weigh up the options…
Did Columbo’s creators really see the light when casting Johnny Cash as country crooner Tommy Brown in Swan Song? Or does the episode crash and burn like a light aircraft flown into stormy skies? Let’s see…
Robots! Boy geniuses! Supercomputers! Flashing lights! Yes folks, Columbo Mind Over Mayhem sets its stall out to impress with its array of cutting edge technology. But how effective is the murder mystery at its heart? Let’s find out…
A new Columbo cookery book is out now, packed with recipes from the show or the personal favourites of Peter Falk and many of his legendary co-stars.
As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first airing of Prescription: Miurder, here’s a little bit about the origins of the Columbo character – and the actors who played him before Peter Falk.
Many Columbo fans are keen for an update on the 2018 Columbo Convention, which was announced last August. Here’s a quick update on my endeavours to secure more concrete details.
Consummate Columbo baddie Jack Cassidy was back for his second stint as a killer in Publish or Perish. Can it hope to match the excellence of his debut in Murder by the Book? Read on and find out…
With a real-life construction environment as a filming backdrop and some big name co-stars to performance manage, Blueprint for Murder gave Peter Falk a baptism of fire in the director’s chair – a challenge he rose to admirably. But which scenes rise higher than the others, like a skyscraper at Williamson City?
With every year that passes, the pool of Columbo supporting stars gradually diminishes, and 2017 was no different. Here I pay tribute to the Columbo guest stars we said ‘bon voyage’ to over the past 12 months.
The good Lieutenant left our screens so many years ago that the idea of a Columbo year in review never occurred to me. However, there have...
Even if Short Fuse isn’t one of Columbo’s finest hours, it still has several terrific scenes to reward the keen viewer. Here’s my take on the top 5 episode highlights.
Robert Culp is back in his third and final appearance as a Columbo killer! But is Double Exposure a suitable send-off for one of Lieutenant Columbo’s most fearsome opponents? Let’s slip on our yellowest jackets, prepare some subliminal cuts and find out!
The silly season is right around the corner so if you haven’t already started planning your Christmas shopping for the Columbo fan in your life, now’s the time to get serious!
As a show, Columbo was notable for showcasing the skills of mature women – a demographic all too often overlooked and underrepresented on the small and large screen. Here are 13 awesome examples of that from leading ladies aged 45+.
Columbo’s raincoat and shoes will go under the hammer at Bonhams in Noo Yoik on 21 November with the iconic combo set to fetch between $80,000-$120,000.
Despite rubbing shoulders with all-time classic episodes Murder by the Book, Death Lends a Hand and Suitable for Framing, Lady in Waiting stands tall in its own right. But just what are its absolute best moments? Here are my top 5 picks.
While there was never an actual Columbo Halloween episode, the show has enough spooky connections to warrant penning a seasonal special. Let’s check which of the show’s stars are horror icons in their own right.
When an episode of TV is as good as Columbo Suitable for Framing, choosing only 5 magical moments is a tough assignment. Here are my personal highlights. What are yours?
Candidate for Crime is notable for one of the greatest ever Columbo gotchas. But does the whole episode compare favourably to this stand-out moment, or is it low on thrills? Let’s see…
When it comes to casual boozing, Columbo was in a world of its own. In the 70s especially, pretty much every character seemed to have a glass in hand. And with that in mind I give you 10 terrific booze-fuelled Columbo moments to raise a glass to.
Although few rate Dead Weight amongst Columbo’s very finest hours, it still has enough quality about it to keep its head above water. Here I pick my 5 favourite moments.
Examining the tragic real-life fates of three Columbo guest stars – including one of the best loved of all, Jack Cassidy. Read on with caution.
Featuring one of the great guest star appearances from Donald Pleasence, Any Old Port in a Storm is many fans’ absolute favourite Columbo episode. But how does it stand up to rigorous review? Let’s pop the cork and find out…
Following hot on the heels of the sublime Murder by the Book came Robert Culp’s Columbo debut in the outstanding Death Lends a Hand. It’s an episode packed with highlights, but here I select my favourite five.
Big fans of Peter Falk will be aware that it’s his birthday on 16th September. One London-based fan is marking that anniversary with an art exhibition celebrating the ‘Women of Columbo’ until 31 October.
How fans of the Lieutenant across the globe can do their bit to give a Columbo Lego set the best chance possible of becoming a reality.
Murder by the Book is one of the most important pieces of television ever made. But just what are its very best moments? I put forward my suggestions here.
GET EXCITED! A major event to mark the 50th anniversary of Columbo first airing, as well as a tribute to the life of Peter Falk, is on the way in July 2018!
Chronicling the two Columbo episodes that were scripted but never made – including one penned by none other than Hollywood heavyweight director Brian De Palma.
Released in March 1971, Columbo Ransom for a Dead Man was a big-budget spectacular and ‘Event Television’ in the truest sense. But just what are the very best moments? My thoughts here…
Boasting a brilliant cast and a unique beauty industry backdrop, hopes were high that Season 3’s opening episode Lovely but Lethal would match the curtain-raising efforts from the first two stellar seasons. So let’s dust off our fashion turbans and sharpen our eyebrow pencils in readiness to see if it lives up to the hype…
In a new article format I tackle the 5 most memorable moments from each Columbo episode, starting off with Prescription: Murder. Is your favourite moment here?
Great news! A new biography of Peter Falk is out now, and should be considered essential reading for all Columbo fans.
There’s a distinct lack of Columbo-themed professional development articles doing the rounds on LinkedIn, but here are some very real life lessons we can all learn from the good Lieutenant.
In a series marked by twists and turns, Columbo Season 2 saved it’s biggest surprise till last, serving up an actual whodunnit with feuding identical twin brothers vying for contention as the Lieutenant’s number one suspect. But is Double Shock electrifying stuff, or just a shocker? Let’s find out…
I’ve chronicled a selection of super-cool Peter Falk / Columbo magazine covers and would LOVE to hear your thoughts on them. Many are rock-star cool…
Help me in my bid to get Google to consider creating a Columbo Google Doodle to commemorate the show’s 50th anniversary next February.
Starring an irate Laurence Harvey, The Most Dangerous Match pits Lieutenant Columbo against a fiendish chess Grandmaster. How will he outsmart such a wily mind? Let’s see…
When Spock tries to kill Grandpa Walton through use of dissolving suture, Columbo has one of his toughest cases on his hands – as well as a killer he truly loathes. How does A Stitch in Crime stack up to all that’s come before it? Find out here…
You want absolutely unscientific predictions on which Columbo killers would’ve been found guilty in court? You got ’em right here!
January 21, 1973 marked the return of Columbo to screens after a two-month winter break. He was back in LA and hanging out with Tinseltown legend Nora Chandler on the Universal lot. But is Requiem for a Falling Star a comeback of epic proportions, or a straight to VHS bargain bucket affair? Read on!
If you like a bit of eye candy when you’re watching Columbo, get ready to phwoooar away to your heart’s content as we consider the show’s most devilishly handsome hombres.
Columbo was awash with devilishly handsome men and bewitchingly beautiful women. The latter take centre stage here as we consider Columbo’s loveliest leading ladies.
Columbo broke new ground on November 26 1972. For the first time ever the Lieutenant stepped outside his Los Angeles comfort zone and mixed it up with a bunch of stereoptype-tastic Brits on a work visit to Scotland Yard. Can ‘Leftenant’ Columbo cut the mustard in old London town? Let’s see…
Some crimes committed in Columbo were so deviously devised that the killers could be forgiven for thinking they’d committed the perfect murder. Here I examine the most fiendishly clever killings of all.
A tribute to Columbo’s ‘Super-Six’ support stars Val Avery, Fred Draper, Vito Scotti, Bruce Kirby, John Finnegan and Mike Lally, who clocked up 60 appearances between them.
Bad Bobby Culp is back and – joy of joys – he’s badder than ever! But is The Most Crucial Game a Superbowl of an episode, or a tepid mid-table tussle? Let’s see…
Nothing beats a good old fashioned Columbo conversation. And that’s exactly what I had with the host of the ‘Headline This’ podcast early this year. Listen in here.
The fashion police have rounded up some of Columbo’s worst dressed guest stars, and put them in the dock. Will a jury convict them for fashion crimes against humanity? Read on and find out.
Wow, 2016 was a shocker wasn’t it? Many of the world’s most popular stars of stage, screen, concert hall and sporting arena took their one-way trips to the Pearly Gates. Columbo fans weren’t immune to these losses and a number of much-loved guest stars bid us farewell.
With party season now well and truly upon us, what better time to turn our attentions to one of life’s most important questions: who would make your guest list for a fantasy Columbo dinner party?
HUZZAH and HURRAH! Special 15% discount on a range of super-cool Columbo products for readers of this blog. Helloooooooo Christmas!
As it’s already well into November, it’s high time you started making Christmas plans for the Columbo fan in your life – or filling out your own Columbo wishlist if you’re the fan in someone else’s life. Here are some great Columbo gift ideas guaranteed to make hearts sing!
November 11, 2016 was a sad day for Columbo fans the world over, with the news that one of the show’s suavest and most stylish guest stars, Robert Vaughn, had died at the age of 83. For what he brought to the show, Vaughn retains a place in the hearts of Columbo fans in perpetuity.
Amidst an ocean of talent, three Columbo guest star killers loom large above all others: the great triumvirate of Jack Cassidy, Robert Culp and Patrick McGoohan. Who’s the best? You decide…
Following hot on the heels of the uber-popular Etude in Black was always going to be a tough gig, but with Ray Milland leading the supporting cast, and Peter Falk now owning every inch of the crumpled mac, anything seemed possible. Is Greenhouse Jungle a pathetic African Violet, or a $1200 orchid? Let’s see…
US Presidential election race? Get real! The only votes that matter this year are the ones cast by fans to determine your very favourite Columbo episodes. And here they are. More popular than Hillary and Donald combined…
The 50th anniversary of the first airing of Columbo Prescription: Murder is swiftly approaching. Here’s what’s on my wishlist to commemorate this momentous occasion.
Columbo’s hotly-anticipated second season kicked off in grand style with the big budget Etude in Black, guest starring Peter Falk’s BFF John Cassavetes. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s see…
Photo and video highlights from the life of Peter Falk – including lots of magnificent Columbo moments! Gone but not forgotten…
As well as giving Ol’ Blue Eyes a good ribbing, Lieutenant Columbo’s hilarious turn on the ‘Dean Martin Celebrity Roast’ series in 1978 finally revealed his elusive wife’s first name. What was it? Read on and find out…
Columbo’s legendary first season rounded out with an episode directed by Peter Falk himself: no easy feat given the live construction site backdrop. So is Blueprint for Murder TV gold, or should it be condemned to burial in the foundation of a skyscraper? Read on to find out…
Had a hard day? Then relax and enjoy the back story and image gallery of one of TV’s most enduring and heart-warming relationships: that of Columbo and Dog.
Trawl through the #Columbo hashtag on Instagram and it won’t be long before you spy a multitude of plucky tourists cuddling up to a familiar-looking bronze figure, striking a classic pose. It’s clearly a statue of Columbo. But why is it in Budapest?
With the zany Roddy McDowall having a blast as the killer, and fashions on display that induce strokes, Short Fuse is certainly a high-energy addition to the series. But is it any good? Read on and find out…
From Mama Fratelli and Mr Miyagi to sexy vampiresses and Major League baseball stars – did you know that all these superstars appeared in Columbo?
Considering the Columbo victims who really didn’t deserve their grisly fates, and whose on-screen demise leaves the viewers dabbing their eyes with their hankies…
How does Lady in Waiting compare with the sky-high standards of Columbo Season 1, and how does virtual unknown leading lady Susan Clark cut the mustard against Cassidy, Culp and the cadre of exceptional villains we’ve met up to now? Read on to find out…
Many an episode of Columbo features the killing of a character who is so lovable that our very hearts quiver with sadness at their parting. Oh...
No silver screen accolade is more coveted than the Academy Award. And the stars of Columbo, both from in front of and behind the camera, have a shedload of Oscars between them – as well as nominations galore. Have a look here at Columbo’s Oscars pedigree. You might be surprised…
Let’s don our velvet tuxedos, crank up the electric blankets and prepare to slay our most lovable uncles as we stride out with Dale Kingston and co to give eloquent critique to this most artful of episodes. Is Suitable for Framing a Degas or merely a De Groat? Read on and find out…
As well as the killers themselves, the supporting cast in many Columbo episodes was also world class. But who put in the very best support star guest appearances? Have a look at my thoughts…
Filmed at a time of escalating tensions between studio and star, nothing was plain sailing for Season 1’s third episode, Dead Weight. Does it sink or swim? Let’s find out…
As is to be expected of a show that’s well over 40 years old, a number of much-loved Columbo characters have passed away over the past 12 months. For what it’s worth, here’s a very small tribute to the Columbo legends we lost in 2015.
Chronicling the little-known but official Columbo mystery novel of the 1970s – A Christmas Killing. Is it a cracker, or a turkey? Read on and find out!
Let’s get ambidextrous and furious as we race back in time to 6 October 1971 to hang with three-time guest killer Robert Culp as he stars in Death Lends a Hand.
Analysing why Columbo’s comeback from 1989-2003 was less successful than the 70s classic era.
Every episode of Columbo features a mystery. But there’s a real-life Columbo mystery that remains unresolved more than 45 years on. Simply put: who is this beautiful actress who played a small but notable part in Suitable for Framing back in 1971?
15 September 1971 is one of the pivotal dates in televisual history. It was the night Columbo Murder by the Book first aired.
Why the monthly #ColumboTV live-tweet experience could be the greatest Columbo social media experience of them all.
As magnificent as Peter Falk was in the role of Lieutenant Columbo, the show’s enduring appeal owes just as much to the stellar contribution of that...
If you’re a fan of Columbo, you won’t need me to tell you how nice it is to be able to spend some quality time with...
Let’s step back in time to 1st March, 1971 to revisit Columbo Ransom for a Dead Man. Buckle up and let’s fly with Peter Falk and Lee Grant!
In fact we encounter plenty of dirt bags over the course of 69 episodes, but who are the absolute lowest of the low lives when it comes to Columbo killers?
Taking it back to where it all began on February 20, 1968, as Peter Falk dons the raincoat for the very first time in the seminal Prescription: Murder. We know how that panned out in the long run, but taken on its own merits, how well does Prescription: Murder still stack up? Let’s investigate…
Many Columbo killers were vile toads who deserved their comeuppance, but not all. In some instances, we can understand why they were driven to murder. We might even like them and root for them. But which are the most worthy of our sympathy?
if you’re a serious fan of Lieutenant Columbo the one book you absolutely positively have to dig up is Mark Dawidziak’s masterpiece The Columbo Phile. Here’s why it’s essential reading…
Back in the middle of 2014, the internet was awash with rumours that a big screen reboot of Columbo was on the cards, with Hollywood ace...
Just what are Columbo fans’ favourite Columbo episodes? This perpetually open fan poll gives you the chance to vote for your favourite and see where it fits into the bigger picture. Vote with confidence! Columbo would want it that way…
Are these the 10 best Columbo episodes of all time? I certainly think so. Is your favourite here?
How Theo Bikel’s performance as Oliver Brandt in Columbo Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case was the genesis of my love for the show.
Columbo has bested some of he greatest criminal minds of his generation. But beyond that, he’s also brought down some of America’s highest profile and most-loved personalities. Here I consider what would rank as his most sensational cases.
At their very best, the Columbo ‘gotcha’ can have the audience fist-pumping and whooping with glee as the killer realises they’re history. Here’s what I think are the 10 very best examples. Do you agree…?
“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…”
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