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. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Sergeant Kramer
Episode review: Columbo Agenda for Murder
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… Continue reading
Episode review: Columbo Cries Wolf
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… Continue reading
The 100 greatest Columbo scenes of the 70s, Part 6: 50-41
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… Continue reading
Trying to salvage Last Salute to the Commodore
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… Continue reading
Summing up Columbo’s fifth season
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… Continue reading
Columbo episode review: Last Salute to the Commodore
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… Continue reading
Episode review: Columbo A Deadly State of Mind
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… Continue reading
Episode review: Columbo By Dawn’s Early Light
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! Continue reading
Guest star / Opinion / Tribute
Six of the best: chronicling Columbo’s unsung heroes
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. Continue reading