"Colombo"

Should it be considered a guilty pleasure that I love the old 'Colombo' TV show? I also feel I should qualify this by saying that while the show continues in occasional ABC network movie specials, it's really the 'Colombo' of the 1970s, and to a somewhat lesser extent the 80s and early 90s, that I particularly love. (There's an episode directed by Steven Spielberg that's awesome. And I'm not even that huge a fan of some of his movies.) But anyway, I think it's just fascinating how the show follows the exact same formula every time, but still manages to keep me watching. Peter Falk's police investigator character is on one hand almost a buffoon, with all his aw-shucks mannerisms and terrible wardrobe. (Not to mention that ancient Pugeot.) But at the same time, he's very shrewd in using that perception of him to his advantage, subtly able to go about finding more out than anyone ever reasonably expects--except us watching, and him. He's almost sort of off-radar as a threat, and yet it's like a praying mantis waiting to eat you for dinner.

Comments

[Sara]

I would have to say the guilty pleasures of my genteration -- shows like Full House and Saved by the Bell -- are much more embarrassing. At some point, everyone watches a show they'd be less than willing to admit to, I'm sure.

[ivan]

My son is Colombo fun
Any idea, how to get the recordings of this show?
Regards
Ivan

[Dave]

where can I find a list of how meny times some actors have been on the show?

[Brian]

Last I checked Colombo episodes were not
available on video, or at least not DVD. I
keep hoping they release them at some point.
As for actors who have been on the show, I'd
just do a Google search under something like
"Colombo guest star" and you should get
something. Not sure who either Ivan or Dave
are, but thanks for checking in!

[Colombo]

You misspelled the name of the TV show, it's (Lt.) Columbo. The (mis)spelling was intentional. Some of the early TV Guides "corrected" the spelling, but were told to spell it with a "u". I wish I kept one of those early TV Guides...

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