Having completed my eight-year mega journey through all 69 of the dear Lieutenant’s televised escapades, I’m finally in a position to award gongs to the best aspects of Columbo’s ABC years. Who’s taking home the bacon? Let’s see…
Now that I’ve completed my reviews of all 69 Columbo adventures comes the really hard task: ranking every episode in order of preference. Find out where the revival-era episodes compare alongside the 70s classics here…
The only Columbo episode filmed in the 21st century, ‘Columbo Likes the Nightlife’ burst onto screens on January 30, 2003. The last Columbo to air, could Nightlife give our man a suitable send-off in his 35th year of televisual crime fighting? Let’s find out…
An aspect of Columbo’s revival era that paled in comparison to the show’s golden age was in the creation of interesting supporting characters. However, there are several bit-part players to treasure from the Lieutenant’s ABC years, whom I gratefully list here today…
One of the least remembered episodes of Columbo’s classic era, ‘Old Fashioned Murder’ was such a troubled production that it nearly killed off the series. It does have some memorable moments, though, which I chronicle here…
After the ratings flop that was ‘Ashes to Ashes’, Columbo badly needed a hit in order to remain a viable proposition for Universal and ABC. Could this story of a past-his-prime movie composer slaying his young protégé hit all the right notes? Let’s see…
Considering the Columbo endings that leave the viewer or the detective (or both) feeling flat – and why they ought to be treasured.
‘Poker Face’ launched this week to global critical acclaim, with its similarities to Columbo routinely referenced. Is it a show worthy of celebrating and worthy of Columbo fans’ time? Let’s see…
With a cast simply awash with household names, ‘Ashes to Ashes’ promised to be the sort of blockbuster Columbo experience all too rarely witnessed since the Lieutenant’s 1989 comeback. But is it an episode worthy of eulogising? Let’s find out…
It’s been quite a kind year for Columbo guest stars by recent standards, although several more have made their way up to the big stage in the sky. Here I chronicle the Columbo stars we lost in 2022.
A former US prosecutor has his say on what might really happen to Columbo’s cases in a court of law…
Billed as a celebratory special to mark the series’ 25th anniversary, ‘A Trace of Murder’ saw the Lieutenant rise Phoenix-like from the ashes of the ‘Strange Bedfellows’ debacle of two years earlier. Something to get excited about, or yet another disappointment? Let’s see…
Season 6 opener ‘Fade in to Murder’ may be a bit of an acquired taste, but there’s no doubting that the effervescent presence of William Shatner makes it a memorable adventure for Lieutenant Columbo. Here’s my take on its best moments…
In this blog’s quest to provide Columbo fans with thought-provoking deep cuts into the show, this guest post is an item to treasure. Here, Glenn Stewart lays out the hows, whys and whens of Columbo’s modus operandi, the leverage he gains from it and the science behind it.
Starring man mountain George Wendt as an unlikely double killer and Oscar-winning actor Rod Steiger as a menacing mob boss, ‘Strange Bedfellows’ burst onto screens on May 8, 1995. A sure-fire winner or another also-ran? Let’s find out…
From irate teens and ex-cons to hookers, hippies and even royalty, Columbo’s inherent qualities allowed him to strike up many an unlikely allegiance in order to see justice done. But just who are the Lieutenant’s strangest bedfellows? Let’s see…
It’s no secret that I HATE Last Salute to the Commodore, but there’s no such thing as a Columbo episode with no merit at all. After plumbing the depths I’ve come up with these five moments that are worthy of revisiting…
One of the most popular Columbo episodes of all, ‘Now You See Him’ is packed with the sort of goodness that has seen the series win the hearts and minds of millions of viewers for more than 50 years. Here I consider the highest of its many highs…
Despite being very different characters and harking from entirely different times, Columbo and Sherlock Holmes have much in common. In this guest essay, Glenn Stewart outlines the similarities and differences between the two legendary detectives.
Airing on May 2, 1994, ‘Undercover’ was the second of the series’ two dreaded Ed McBain 87th Precinct novel adaptations. Can it manage to insert Columbo into the world of serious police procedurals without enraging viewers? Let’s see…
Although generally considered a lesser effort by the series’ 70s standards, ‘A Matter of Honor’ still predictably contains a number of cracking moments that ensure ample viewer reward. But what are its best bits? Let’s saddle up and see…
Famous for William Shatner’s colour-changing moustache, the poetically titled ‘Butterfly in Shades of Grey’ made its bow on January 10, 1994. Is Shatner’s extravagant style a good fit for a dark tale of murder, manipulation and inappropriate attachments? Let’s see…
The success of Columbo is due in no small measure to the likability of a large proportion of its characters – even many murderers. Less frequent are those characters that make our skin crawl through their irritating words and actions. But who are the most annoying of them all?
Hollywood goddess Faye Dunaway became the most famous Columbo guest star ever when she popped us as Lauren Staton in 1993’s ‘It’s All in the Game’. Is this Peter Falk-penned vehicle worthy of such a stellar leading lady? Let’s take a look…
Although Columbo is a show about the darkest of human acts, part of its appeal lies in the sense of fun embodied in many episodes. Here I consider the series’ best laugh-out-loud moments…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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?
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…
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!
If you’ve ever been bamboozled by an apparent lack of consistency in use of phone records to nail villains in Columbo, this is the article you’ve been on hold for your whole life!
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…
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?
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…
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…
Guest blogger Kat Johnson provides her very hot takes on Peter Falk’s sexiest Columbo moments. Get ready to swoon!
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…
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…
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?
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Playwright, lawyer and former US prosecutor Rich Weill is back in this guest post, offering us an alternative ending to the much-maligned Last Salute to the Commodore. Can it salvage one of the least popular Columbo episodes? Take a look…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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!
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…
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…
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?
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?
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…
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…
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…
Former US prosecutor and regular guest blogger Rich Weill is back to share his opinion on Publish or Perish – an episode he describes as “one of the series’ great disappointments”. Can he be for real? Let’s see…
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?
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...
If you’ve ever had ambitions of penning a Columbo mystery yourself, here are the crucial ingredients you need to get right to make it a success. Excellent, informed commentary from guest blogger – and former US Prosecutor – Richard Weill.
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!
As a show, Columbo was notable for showcasing the skills of mature women – a demographic all too often underrepresented on the small and large screen. Here are 13 awesome examples of that from leading ladies aged 45+.
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.
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 featuring 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.
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.
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.
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?
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…
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!
Former US prosecutor Rich Weill gives some expert insight on what would need to happen in court for Columbo’s cases to conclude with a conviction of guilt.
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.
In a first for the Columbophile blog, regular reader Richard Weill – a playwright, lawyer and former US prosecutor – provides a very different perspective to my own on Columbo Dagger of the Mind.
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…
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.
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?
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…
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…
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…
Considering the Columbo victims who really didn’t deserve their grisly fates, and whose on-screen demises leave 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…
No one’s advocating murder, but some Columbo victims really had it coming. From fishwives and cads to blackmailers and gunrunners, here are the least-mourned victims of them all…
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…
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.
15 September 1971 is one of the pivotal dates in televisual history. It was the night Columbo Murder by the Book first aired.
Some thoughts on which stars could have been cast as Columbo villains in the 70s, but weren’t – much to the lasting regret of millions of viewers.
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!
We encounter plenty of dirt bag murderers over the course of 69 episodes, but who are the absolute lowest of the low lives when it comes to Columbo killers? Let’s take a look…
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…?
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