Columbo is a wonderful and unique show that often gets overshadowed by Peter Falk’s titular Lieutenant. I talk about some of the things that made Columbo compelling, beyond the character, such as the inverted detective story, duels with the murderers, the dour tone of the endings and more.

So if you like Columbo or detective shows, grab some chilli, feed the dog, get the wife, and settle in as I try to explore how Columbo creates intrigue without mystery.

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them.

“Columbo” is the property of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios.

SOURCES:

Johnny Carson interview (1972):
   • Peter Falk on Johnny Carson Promoting...  

Columbo statue in Hungary:
   • Why Is There a Columbo Statue In the ...  

William Link interviews (Archive of American Television):
   • William Link on the genesis of the ch...  
   • William Link on casting Peter Falk as...  
   • William Link on the structure of "Col...  
   • William Link on Columbo's unseen wife...  

Steven Bochco interview (Archive of American Television):
   • Steven Bochco discusses "Columbo" - E...  

Just One More Thing: Columbo! (BBC Radio 4 documentary by Mark Billingham):
   • Video  
https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/20...

The art of the Detective Story by R. Austin Freeman:
https://web.archive.org/web/200707071...

Steven Spielberg and the Small Screen (Duel 1971 Featurette):
   • Steven Spielberg - On Small Screen  



MEDIA:

Prescription: Murder (1968)
Columbo (1971-2003)
Poirot (1989-2013)
Animaniacs (1993-1998)
The Benny Hill Show (1969-1989)
Knives Out Trailer (2019)
The Good the Bad the Weird (2008)
L.A. Confidential (1997)
Dial M for Murder (1954)
Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996)
The Chevy Mystery Show (1960)
Crime and Punishment (1935)
Death on the Nile (1978)
The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)
Octopussy (1983)


MUSIC:

Columbo OST - Bernardo Segall, Billy Goldenberg, Dick DeBenedictis, Oliver Nelson, Patrick Williams, Dave Grusin.
Thomas Newman - The Player OST - Funeral Shark
Mark Isham - Bad Lieutenant Port of Call New Orleans OST - Scene of the Crime
Mark Isham - Bad Lieutenant Port of Call New Orleans OST - Steak-Out
Keith Mansfield - Morning Broadway
The San Remo Golden Strings - Hungry For Love
String Quintet in E major, G.275 (by Luigi Boccherini) - Musicians from Ravinia's Steans Music Institute
Baby Elephant Walk for Piccolo (by Henry Manicini) - Seonmi Seo / Rinnai Pops Orchestra
Christopher Young - Rounders OST - The Catch
Christopher Young - Rounders OST - Ode to Johnny Chan


Thanks to Cătălin Mesaru and Cătălin Moise for text editing and feedback!


00:00 Intro
01:59 Prologue: Columbo 101
06:34 Part 1: Sympathy for the Devil
08:26 Part 2: Starstruck
11:29 Part 3: Duel
16:13 Part 4: Getting caught red-HAMded
17:39 Part 5: "Sad" Pop
19:22 Part 6: The Lieutenant
21:57 Part 7: Evidentiary, My Dear Viewer
23:30 Epilogue: And the rest is...