Non-cape tv show

[Rushy]

Almost finished with the original NBC run of Columbo. They've been an utter delight. Although you can tell by the final season that Falk is getting a little restless, and screwing around to amuse himself. I'm told this trait will be amplified tenfold during the ABC era, and I'm morbidly excited for it.

I'd say my favourite killer would be Donald Pleasence, with William Shatner as a close second.

[Old Black Man]

Donald Pleasance? Ah hell yeah!

[CuckTurdginson]

Well…Donald Pleasance, yeah - that’s a given.

I’ve always liked Columbo, I wonder if Falks burnout got managed a little better when he only had to do a movie every couple of years.

[Kugelfisch]

Yup, Pleasance was always great. The old episodes have the added charm of smoking cigars in stores and him marveling at the newest technology, like fax machines or punch card computers that barely fill a room.

[Rushy]

I’ve always liked Columbo, I wonder if Falks burnout got managed a little better when he only had to do a movie every couple of years.

I'm told it gets much worse, probably due to his age, the fact that he was the only remaining producer and maybe even early signs of dementia.

Famously, Falk purchased the rights to two hardboiled detective novels and converted them into Columbo episodes despite them not following the formula in the slightest. All on a whim, because some friend said they were good books.

Another anecdote is that he saw a guy with a funny cap during filming and insisted on borrowing it so Columbo could randomly wear it. For no explained reason.

[Kugelfisch]

Some of the really late episodes lose some steam and feel a bit out of place in time.
I still wouldn't say I've seen a truly bad episode and I've seen them all.

It's a bit like with the bad episodes of Star Trek TOS. The overall charm just helps it out a lot.

[rabidtictac]

The older Falk got, the more Columbo became a pastiche rather than a character. The worst episode I ever saw of Columbo, they retconned him speaking Italian! So many episodes where Columbo spoke fluent Italian before, but for that episode, they acted like he couldn't understand Italian at all, nor speak it. Guess everyone involved in the production forgot Columbo isn't just some shmuck in a costume who whistles a knick-knack tune.

The last couple of the columbo movies are pretty messy. The Star Trek TOS comparison is apt. Even bad Columbo is still charming. But the episodes are much better than the movies.

At least Columbo doesn't spend 90% of each episode chasing a skirt, the way Kirk would do in the bad TOS episodes.

[Rushy]

I blame Falk for making me hum This Old Man at work

[VoiceOfReasonPast]

I'm just picturing someone like Falk pulling a Columbo in Current Year. He'd probably get cancelled for "problematic" behavior on set or some shit.

[Rushy]

Columbo complimented 14-year old girls on their appearance in more than one episode. Absolutely cancelled.