12/17/2023 0 Comments Best columbo episodes 2020The Lieutenant Columbo we encounter in these tales is one who’s easily recognise to fans of the TV series. “William Link is owed a huge debt of gratitude by million of fans world-wide.”Ĭonsisting of 12 short stories, set in or around the late 2000s time-frame the book was written in, we find the Lieutenant investigating the sort of top-end-of-town murders we’re familiar with from the series, including those committed by a criminal attorney, a celebrity hypnotist, a movie starlet, a classical musician and various wealthy citizens of LA.īut there are also a few atypical, grittier tales thrown into the mix – including a champion boxer who offed two rivals, a troubled Iraq war veteran who takes revenge on his former captain, a police detective from Columbo’s own department driven to kill a colleague to help clear gambling debts, and a killing caused by mistaken identity. For a man so intrinsically linked with the Columbo character, Link’s written output is surprisingly light – which is why The Columbo Collection is such an intriguing little anthology. In unison with Levinson, Link co-wrote Prescription: Murder and Death Lends a Hand, and also conceived the story (but didn’t write the teleplay) for Ransom for a Dead Man. However, despite inventing Lieutenant Columbo (with the now-deceased Bill Levinson) and serving as Producer and later Executive Producer on the series, Link actually contributed very few original mysteries to the Columbo universe. The series co-creator, now aged 86, is owed a huge debt of gratitude by million of fans world-wide who have gained so much pleasure from his best-known conception. ( Some of the guest stars from the show's original run included everyone from Johnny Cash to Vincent Price.) If a new generation gets attached, that's just one more thing for its expansive fandom to love.The book cover is resplendent with Al Hirschfield’s iconic 70s’ Columbo illustration Now a decade on from when it was first published, The Columbo Collection is a book every lover of the Lieutenant should consider owning – and not just as a way of saying thank you to William Link. Rather, it's a cigar-scented combination of nostalgia, new relevance, and classic performances. (You can also watch the mysteries on Poker Face in any order, proving the longevity of the format.) It's not just one thing that's brought Columbo back into the limelight. As a character, Columbo has inspired countless other detectives, including Charlie Cale ( Natasha Lyonne) in Peacock's hit entry Poker Face- itself inspired by Columbo. But beyond all that, the eternal appeal of Columbo still rests with Peter Falk's charming performance. In fact, Columbo has aged surprisingly well - the perfect retro TV show for the socially conscious viewer. Without meaning to, the show actually subverts some criticisms of modern cop shows. Columbo rarely carries a gun, and most of the criminals, all murderers, are rich. Falk brings a certain mystery to the role, and his moral code surely doesn't hurt among modern audiences. The show's even pacing and generally calm atmosphere contrasts nicely with its often-bloodless murder scenes - you could fall asleep watching Columbo as easily as you could be intrigued by it, a rare mix in the age of hyper-intense television. Its familiar rhythm makes it a rare example of a show that works well both traditionally and on streaming platforms - being able to watch episodes in any order is convenient either way. Audiences today value the comfort of shows like Columbo just as much as they did in 1971.
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