r/Columbo

51 year old male, I'd never seen an episode of Columbo until two months ago. I had heard about it, especially the "one more question" thing. I entered the series cold as far as expectations. I thought it was a detective show, bumbling goofy detective that acted dumb but was actually smart. That's sort of what I thought the show was about.

Well I wasn't totally wrong. I watched probably 4-6 episodes a week and just finished last night. My only outside supplementation was to read the wikipedia so I could look up the guest actors as I went along. OK here are my thoughts:

- I loved the format. Generally the setup and execution of the crime was so fun to watch. And while the entire episodes kept my attention, I'd say the beginning of the episodes were the best part. It was fun knowing who did it already with the "whodunnit" part being figuring out what clues were left behind

- Always fun watching 70s era shows for the technology and differences. But even though it's an old show it absolutely holds up. Beyond fashion and technology etc it's really not that different from modern realities. The main thing that took me out of reality was the general lack of blood. There were a few murders where that wasn't even addressed (not sure if blood was not allowed on tv back then, etc). The murderers always confessing at the end was a little jarring as well, although that's common for tv. I'd get a laugh how Columbo and the murderer seemed so casual at the end of episodes as if the murderer is "ah you got me!" That being said, I'd probably complain if every episode was left open-ended so I'm guessing the TV show did things right.

- Columbo (the character) got less likable as the series went along. I'm not sure if that's me getting used to him or if the character himself changes (I'd probably need multiple series viewings to answer that). But I found him charming and funny at the beginning and a combination of rude and slapsticky towards the end. There seemed to be less continuity with the later episodes - although if you think about it that's reasonable. Every case is different requiring different technique. Still, I found myself rooting against Columbo the futher the series went

- A lot of fun aha moments. It was fun seeing Columbo's mind at work and the little things he noticed

- Also a lot of rolling my eyes. Entire cases being built on "why would someone who's about to commit suicide brush his teeth first" (or whatever). I did feel the writing occasionally used coincidence and luck as crutches although people would probably say that's the reality of these cases. I kept telling myself all the cases Columbo didn't solve weren't made into episodes. And if I felt it unreasonable him focusing on the murderer immediately, what I wasn't seeing were the other 5 off camera people he was "just one more question" 'ing off camara. So yeah a lot of eye rolling but some of it wasn't justified.

Generally the first 15 minutes of these episodes were 9/10 and the rest of the episode about 7/10. Overall 8/10 for the series. I'd tell friends to watch and enjoy. They don't necessarily need to watch the entire series as every episode is standalone. But it's a fun look at 70s-90s life, well produced, well acted, lots of fun.

Never realized this before, but after our stalwart detective has his soul searching session with Dr. Ray Flemming, the good doctor invites him to remain in his office, search it, have another drink, and to turn out the light when he leaves.

After he departs, Columbo leaves ... returns to turn out the light ... then leaves again ... WITH his cocktail glass! A souvenir, perhaps?

Just came here to say that ahah

Yesterday we watched traces of murder and it was such a torture. I don't smoke at home, so watching the whole plot revolving around good cigars, Columbo's stogies, Clifford's cuban stash, the wedge cigar clipper...

It was hard!

I finally was able to get another episode guide done, this week it's Columbo Cries Wolf. Lot going on in this episode, and truthfully not one of my favorites. But still, more than enough to talk about including quite a few little goofs.

Columbo Cries Wolf

Peter Falk and Ian Buchanan in Columbo Cries Wolf

https://preview.redd.it/4l2920wdfs1h1.png?width=465&format=png&auto=webp&s=87dec052fa024472e3de100e2f1ebf850b3b7f3c

I’m a lawyer but have never practiced, but Columbo was kind of stumped until he visited the girlfriend of the suspect at the movie studio. She asked for an attorney and Columbo started yelling at her when he was obligated to stop asking questions. Was 1969 before the case that said asking for an attorney must end interrogation?

Columbo notices and mentions it when he arrives on the scene and then again when he talks to Nelson in his campaign office. It felt like it got a lot of airtime. He says both times kids must have done it, but it feels more significant since it got a couple of mentions. Is it just that the light being broken made him think about the lighting during the shooting, or did he think it was part of the setup for some reason?

S 2 ep 6 A stitch in Time!!!

Holy CRAP!!! HOW did I NOT realize Nurse Ratchett in One Flew over The Cookoos Nest is THE VERY SAME Nurse working with Leonard Nemoy!!! Was this BEFORE or After??

Not the brightest bulb.

This isn't important in the slightest, but when he takes Lennie to the brownstones (before the truck comes to wet the street), is that scene inside one of the huge indoor film buildings? It doesn't look like it's natural light. I don't know what those huge buildings are called, but I've always wondered that.

Like a bunch of Harry Potter movies were filmed in huge hangers, even outside shots. This one looks like it's indoor but are they saying it's an outdoor shot? Sorry I'm not making any sense. I'm watching this one right meow. I love it, even if the ending is cheesy. It's my kinda cheese and I'm weird.