The Shabby Detective: Yet Another Columbo Podcast

In this special bonus episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike White sits down with author Glenn Stewart to discuss his insightful and wildly entertaining book Columbo Explains the '70s: A TV Cop's Pop Culture Journey. Stewart's book explores the cultural and historical shifts of the 1970s—from Watergate to disco, second-wave feminism to fast food—with the trench-coated sleuth as our shrewd, inquisitive guide.Mike and Glenn dive into the origins of the project, the writing process behind channeling Columbo's voice, and how Stewart cultural criticism and TV history into a distinctive, illuminating take on the decade. Whether you're a fan of the show or just obsessed with '70s Americana, this episode is for you.

The great Santini takes center stage—but Lieutenant Columbo isn't impressed by smoke and mirrors. In this episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike and Chris shine a spotlight on Now You See Him, the 1976 Columbo classic starring Jack Cassidy in his final turn as a Columbo killer. Cassidy plays the arrogant nightclub magician who thinks he can make murder disappear, but the rumpled detective sees right through the act.Chris and Mike unpack the episode's sleight-of-hand plotting, its eerie undertones of Nazism and blackmail, and Cassidy's show-stealing performance. Along the way, they ponder Robert Loggia's mustache, comment on the trickery of typewriter ribbons, and debate whether this outing is one of Columbo's best.

Mike and Chris head south of the border for A Matter of Honor, the rare Columbo episode set in Mexico, where the Lieutenant faces bulls, bravado, and a different kind of justice. Ricardo Montalbán plays a retired matador with a secret—and a motive—and Columbo has to navigate a new culture and language barrier while staying one step ahead. The guys dig into the episode's unique setting, the ethics of honor killings, and how the show handles cultural sensitivity (or doesn't). Is this an underrated gem or a misstep in a sombrero? 

Mike and Chris slip into the shadows with Identity Crisis, Columbo's espionage-laced foray into cloak-and-dagger territory. Directed by none other than Patrick McGoohan—who also stars as a smug, sartorially superior spy—this episode finds the Lieutenant matching wits with a killer who's as cool as he is cold-blooded. The guys dive into the episode's slick style, surreal touches, and McGoohan's unmistakable fingerprints all over the production. Is this Columbo at its most cerebral—or just a secret agent detour too far? Join the investigation and find out.

In this episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike and Chris take a diplomatic detour into A Case of Immunity, where political protocol, palace intrigue, and murder collide. Columbo finds himself navigating foreign immunity laws and velvet robes as he tries to outwit a slippery embassy official (Héctor Elizondo) with a taste for treason. The guys break down the episode's unique tone, the curious case of Sal Mineo, and the appearance of Jeff Goldblum.

Step onto the faded red carpet and into the world of aging Hollywood glamour as The Shabby Detective takes on "Forgotten Lady", one of Columbo's most poignant mysteries. In this episode, we unravel the tragic tale of fading movie star Grace Wheeler (Janet Leigh), who dreams of a comeback but finds herself tangled in a web of murder and memory.With Peter Falk's rumpled lieutenant navigating a case where sympathy and suspicion go hand in hand, we dissect the episode's emotional depth, the heartbreaking performance of Sam Jaffe, and the delicate balance of justice and mercy. Plus, we take a closer look at Columbo's softer side—does the good lieutenant let sentiment cloud his sharp detective instincts?

In this episode of The Shabby Detective, we examine the riveting 1974 TV movie The Gun, a gripping exploration of fate and consequence. Crafted by the legendary writing duo Richard Levinson and William Link and directed by John Badham, the film follows the journey of a single handgun as it passes through various lives, leaving a trail of drama and intrigue. Join us as we unpack the film's unique episodic structure and the creative forces behind this powerful cautionary tale.

Between Columbo's Seasons 4 and 5, we're shifting our detective lens to explore another powerful creation by Richard Levinson and William Link: The Execution of Private Slovik (1974). Directed by Lamont Johnson and featuring an unforgettable performance by Martin Sheen, this adaptation of William Bradford Huie's work tells the harrowing true story of Eddie Slovik—a small-time Michigan criminal who made history as the only U.S. soldier executed for desertion during World War II.

We conclude the 4th season of Columbo with the episode "A Deadly State of Mind" wherein George Hamilton is a suave hypnotist of ladies -- one in particular played by Leslie Ann Warren. He has designs on her while also conducting "research" for his work. Her husband as other ideas. 

Season 4 continues with "Playback," an episode starring another Cassavetes alum, Gina Rowlands.  Unfortunately, she's sidelined as a innocent bystander and wife to the episode's murderer, played by Oskar Werner.   He's a fan of gizmos which aid his plan to murder his mother-in-law but, of course, they're ultimately his undoing.   

Set sail for murder as Lt. Columbo takes a cruise to Mexico with his wife only to be asked to help solve the murder of lounge singer Rosanna Wells (Poupée Bocar) at the hands of used car sales exec Hayden Danzinger (Robert Vaughn). It's the return of Bernard Hill and Dean Stockwell in an episode Chris Stachiw says may be the best of the season.

Welcome to the show Mr. Patrick McGoohan as Colonel Rumford, headmaster at an all-boys military academy and devotee of rules and regulations. When his reign is threatened he retaliates by killing his rival with a cannon! Now it's up to Lt. Columbo to stick around the academy and solve the crime in one of the more solid episodes of Season 4.

Season 4 of Columbo continues with a favorite of Mike's, Negative Reaction wherein Dick Van Dyke plays photographer Paul Galesko who think he's committed the perfect murder of his wife (Antoniette Bower) and patsy (Don Gordon). Unfortunately for him, Columbo is on the case. This episode features great roles for Vito Scotti, John Ashton, Joyce Van Patten, Larry Storch, and Michael Strong.This episode of The Shabby Detective also features an interview with author David Koenig about his new book, Unshot Columbo: Cracking the Cases That Never Got Filmed.  Get it today at https://amzn.to/3Sh9VCj

We start off the fourth season of Columbo with a discussion of Exercise in Fatality in which our titular detective squares off with tough guy and fitness guru Milo Janus (Robert Conrad) in a case that gets everyone tied up in knots. This episode also features an interview with Amelie Hastie, author of Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder, a close reading of the series.  Get it now at https://amzn.to/3xf8Pjk

Chris Stachiw and Mike White are taking a break between the third and fourth seasons of The Shabby Detective: Yet Another Columbo Podcast and discussing one of Peter Falk's later roles as the patriach of the Romano family which includes Paulie (Peter Berg) and Peter (Chris Penn) along with black sheep Corky (Chris Kattan).We discuss Kattan's career, the panning of Corky Romano, and the Happy Madison universe.

We wrap up the third season of Columbo with a solid episode wherein Columbo (Peter Falk) is put on the case of a pair of murders including the death of police commissioner (Richard Kiley)'s wife. Written by Peter S. Fischer, the episode was directed by Falk's friend Ben Gazzara.

Chris and Mike discuss the Columbo episode where Peter Falk was in danger of being overshadowed by his co-star when Johnny Cash stars as a gospel singer who's under the thumb of Ida Lupino as she's lording over him being prosecuted under the Mann Act.

Mike and Chris look at Mind Over Mayhem, the 6th episode of the 3rd season wherein Lt. Columbo is faced with a puzzling murder that takes place on the campus of a think tank where the lead scientist, Jose Ferrer, wants to protect his son from an accusation of plagiarism.

Jack Cassidy is back to square off against Lt. Columbo. He's gone from author to publisher in "Publish or Perish" where he knocks off the prize author (Mickey Spillane) who is about to move to his rival's publishing house. The twist this time is that Cassidy is setting himself up as the murder as well as providing himself with an air-tight alibi courtesy of a mad bomber.

Robert Culp is back for his third time in the villain position as Dr. Bart Kepple, a big shot media consultant who uses subliminal images to murder one of his clients as well as his projectionist Chuck McCann ("The Far Out Space Nuts") in a solid turn from Stephen J. Cannell.

Writer Richard Hatem joins Chris and Mike to discuss the political thriller Columbo episode "Candidate for Crime" in which Jackie Cooper murders his campaign manager in order to protect himself and his affair.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

A contender for one of the best episodes of Columbo ever made, Any Old Port in a Storm pits Lt. Columbo against winemaker Adrian Carsini who has murdered his own brother in order to keep control of the family vineyard. Donald Pleasence turns in a powerhouse performance while Peter Falk is in top form. This episode also features an archival interview with story-writer Larry Cohen.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

We begin our third season with the murder of a cosmetics genius (Martin Sheen) by his treacherous boss (Vera Miles). Also along for the ride is a under-used Vincent Price.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

Like Peter Falk, we're taking a break between seasons. Chris and Mike talk about John Cassavetes's A Woman Under the Influence (1974), a harrowing look at mental illness, marriage, and gender.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

We conclude the second season of Columbo with a double dose of Martin Landau as he plays twins Dexter and Norman Paris; a playboy TV chef and stuffed shirt with a gambling problem. Have they murdered their uncle before he can marry Julie Newmar? Why couldn't they have done away with their uncle's annoying housekeeper (Jeanette Nolan) instead?This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

Lt. Columbo enters the thrilling world of competitive chess in The Most Dangerous Game where he faces off with the conceited champion Emmett Clayton (Lawrence Harvey), one of his best rivals.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

Lt. Columbo faces one of his deadliest foes, Dr. Barry Mayfield (Leonard Nimoy), a hotshot surgeon whose payday is being put off by his mentor Dr. Edmund Hidemann (Will Geer). When Mayfield performs heart surgery on Hidemann, he uses some bum suture which leaves a ticking timebomb in his chest...Artwork by parmaali02 from DeviantArtThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5084441/advertisement

On the latest episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike and Chris discuss the fifth episode of the second season, Requiem for a Fallen Star wherein a seasoned actress, Nora Chandler (Anne Baxter), may have murdered the wrong person... or persons.This episode includes an interview with The Columbophile, a major fan of Columbo who has written The Columbo Companion, 1968-78: Investigating Every Detail of All 45 'Classic Era' Columbo Adventures, which is available here: https://amzn.to/45me5xG

On this episode of The Shabby Detective, Columbo goes to England in "Dagger of the Mind," the fourth episode of second season. He goes up against Honor Blackman and Richard Basehart as a pair of actors who happen to murder their potential benefactor,The Columbo episode was released as a film in Italy as Scacco Matto a Scotland Yard. Check it out here: https://vimeo.com/609864275

On the latest episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike and Chris discuss the return of Robert Culp, the death of Dean Stockwell, the cost of shoes, and we're visited by special guest, director Jeremy Kagan.

On the second episode of Columbo's second season he's paired with Bob Dishy as one (of two) Sgt. Wilsons and squares off as victim-cum-killer Ray Milland as Jarvis Goodland, an avid orchid collector who murders his nephew (Bradford Dillman)... to fuel his orchid addiction?

The Shabby Detective kicks off our second season with a discussion of "Etude in Black," which pits Lt. Columbo against haughty conductor Alex Benedict (John Cassavetes), one of the more incompetent foes our hero has had to deal with.

We wrap up the first season of Columbo with a discussion of Blueprint for Murder. Directed by Peter Falk, the episode stars Forrest Tucker as a brash but determined Texas millionaire and Patrick O'Neal as an ambitious architect. Writer Richard Hatem (Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Titans) joins Mike and Chris to discuss the episode and re-cap the first season.

In the penultimate episode of the first season of "Columbo", Roddy McDowall plays a spoiled brat who's a part-time photographer, part-time chemist, and full time jerk. He's got angles on his aunt's company but her husband (James Gregory) stands in his way. Can he get around that snoopy, shabby detective Columbo? Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Beth Chadwick: (Susan Clark) lives under the thumb of her brother Bryce (Richard Anderson). He objects to her relationship with Peter Hamilton: (Leslie Nielsen) as well as keeping her out of the affairs of their family-owned company. When she pretends to be startled by a burglar and shoots her brother, Columbo has to figure out the order between a cart and a horse.

Columbo takes on Dale Kingston (Ross Martin), an art critic and the nephew of an art collector. Dale does away with his uncle and tries to pin the murder on his aunt (Kim Hunter) but Columbo knows a thing or two about art...

Chris and Mike discuss the third episode of the first season, Dead Weight. Eddie Albert plays a military man who murders a subordinate before he can blow the whistle on some shady business dealings. Meanwhile, Suzanne Pleshette witnesses the crime. But, why should we believe what a woman has to say? This episode features an interview with Professor David Martin-Jones, author of Columbo: Paying Attention 24/7.

Mike and Chris discuss the Levinson & Link-penned episode Death Lends a Hand in which we first encounter Robert Culp as Columbo's nemesis. Culp plays a professional private eye who tries to blackmail the wife of newspaper magnate Arthur Kennicutt (Ray Milland). We get our first glimpse of Columbo's car which plays perfect into the automotive theme of the episode. Our special guest Mark Dawidziak literally wrote the book on Columbo, The Columbo Phile: A Casebook. Get your copy at https://amzn.to/3a6c5BF

On the first proper episode of the first proper season of Columbo the writing team of Ferris (Martin Milner) and Franklin (Jack Cassidy) have a little breakup when Franklin murders his partner. While the two may have created the famous Mrs. Melville character, Franklin is no match for Lt. Columbo. Murder by the Book was written by Stephen Bochco and directed by Steven Spielberg. This episode of The Shabby Detective features an interview with Joseph McBride, author of Steven Spielberg: A Biography.

Not quite a pilot and not quite a first episode, this is another TV movie version of Columbo. This time our detective has gotten quite shabby, murderess Leslie Williams (Lee Grant) even calls him that. She's murdered her husband and sets it up to look like he's being ransomed in order to empty all of his accounts. Too bad for her, she's got a snoopy step daughter (Patricia Mattick) and Lt. Columbo on her case. This episode features an interview with the one-and-only Lee Grant who discusses working with Peter Falk on The Balcony, Ransom for a Dead Man, and Prisoner of Second Avenue.

Before Peter Falk put on his rain coat, Bert Freed smoked Columbo's cigar on the Chevy Mystery Show episode "Enough Rope." Chris Stachiw and Mike White discuss that as well as "Prescription: Murder", the TV movie from 1969 wherein Falk made his official debut as the shabby detective.

Chris Stachiw and Mike White bring you the first episode of The Shabby Detective: Yet Another Columbo Podcast where we talk about the origins of the Columbo character by way of Josef Von Sternberg's Crime & Punishment (1935). The film stars Peter Lorre as a criminal who thinks he knows better while Edward Arnold plays Inspector Porfiry Petrovich, a clear precursor to Columbo's patented tactics. This episode features an interview with David Koenig, author of Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective.