The sad story of how Patrick McGoohan tore the heart out of a young screenwriter’s Columbo dream – and the damage done to one of the series’ least-treasured outings ‘Murder With Too Many Notes’…
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…
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 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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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!
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!
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.
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…
From Mama Fratelli and Mr Miyagi to sexy vampiresses and Major League baseball stars – did you know that all these superstars appeared in Columbo?
Analysing why Columbo’s comeback from 1989-2003 was less successful than the 70s classic era.
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?
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