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A Rubber Band, a Compass and an Instant Camera

Guillotine_Ep13

And we’re back to the later episodes, for season eight’s “Columbo Goes to the Guillotine,” which does a fair job of debunking the whole psychic/ESP nonsense. Sadly, it cannot debunk the fact that sharp blades will chop off heads. That’s just real. Joining us to discuss the episode and its possible real-life background is Leigh Beadon (techdirt.com), who’s well-versed in the mentalism and magic game. If you guessed that this is a good episode of the podcast, what are you, The Amazing Kreskin or something?

Also please note- we will be taking a brief hiatus after this one.

19 Comments

  1. Chana Masaledar Chana Masaledar

    Looking forward to listening to this one.

    How brief is a brief hiatus? Brief as in “We’ll be back after a few brief messages” brief, or “See you on the next episode of Wasted Words” brief?

    • RJ RJ

      Let’s say Mid-March at the earliest. And geez, you listened to Wasted Words?

      Condolences.

      • Chana Masaledar Chana Masaledar

        Wasted Words was great. And I listened to it sober, so I probably remember it better than most of the panelists do.

  2. Chana Masaledar Chana Masaledar

    Another fun episode. Leigh Beadon was an excellent choice for guest, since he’s a magician and a big Columbo fan.

  3. justin eastman justin eastman

    Good episode but I could have lived without the first 15mins of the ep. To much yammering on about randie and bashing people. this is one of my fav episodes though. Nice to hear you finally talk about it.

  4. roseyv roseyv

    Is the weird psycho killer episode the one where the woman is in a huge bridal gown throughout her entire ordeal, but is also STUNNINGLY smart and resourceful (at least for a 1990s TV “woman in jep” scenario), and actually helps to engineer her own rescue/escape? Which somehow involves salad dressing? Because I remember being blown away by that plot element at the time, but I can’t remember what show it was. I actually thought it was Kojak.

    • Jon Jon

      I don’t know if it is or not but, from that description, I WANT it to be!

    • Leigh Leigh

      Indeed, that’s the one! And yes, her resourcefulness was probably the most standout element of the episode.

    • Chana Masaledar Chana Masaledar

      That’s the one, all right. Vinegar cleans away the rust on the door hinge, and oil helps get the pin out.

      It’s one of two Columbo episodes that are based on novels by Ed McBain. (The other is “Undercover.”) Both diverge very sharply from the usual Columbo formula.

      • roseyv roseyv

        Okay, now I have to re-watch the episode. Although I have to admit I always thought those little oil and vinegar cruets were kind of an odd touch for a killer/kidnapper to add to his hostages food rations.

      • justin eastman justin eastman

        Wow I love undercover. Now i know why its so different from the rest. You guys should review the bains ones back to back

    • Rob Rob

      I HATED the serial killer episode. It started out so promising with Columbo’s humorous behavior at the wedding, and then as soon as the kidnapper shows his face the episode takes a DEEP nose dive in quality. It was such a drastic departure from the realistic killers we’re used to in Columbo that it completely ran my faith into the ground. And then there’s the poorly paced scenes with Columbo that Peter Falk is wringing out every ounce of charm he has to make them palatable, but it just can’t save the episode.

  5. Dang, it had to happen! You’re fantastic podcast has been keeping me company this past week as I work away at my drawing board (something the actual TV show has done on many, many an occasion), but finally I have caught up. It’s been a great game of Columbo/JOMT back and forth, so thanks for the great company. Alas I have somehow never seen this episode, so can’t even listen to the Podcast! It sits there, mocking me to the point where I may have to tie it to a chair, take it’s photo and hit it with my car while wearing Dabney Coleman s face.
    Keep up the great work and PLEASE get round to another Jack Cassidy episode soon, he’s by far my favourite and I’d love to hear your thoughts on one of his episodes with someone who ‘get’s’ Columbo.

    • Jon Jon

      We’re on a brief hiatus at the moment, but we’ll be back very soon – with a Jack Cassidy episode, too! And thanks for the kind words!

  6. Haha, I finally just listened to this; thanks for reading my stupid notes at the end!

  7. This was a great episode. I loved your guest and thought he added so much to the podcast. You guys have hit your stride and it was one of your best! I hope the hiatus is not too long. I also remember the Joanna Going episode with the weird serial killer. It’s from one of Ed McBain’s 87th precinct series. I didn’t care for it as an entry in the Columbo franchise, but on its own it was pretty good.

    • RJ RJ

      Thank you for the kind words.

    • Leigh Leigh

      Same from me — thanks! I was worried I’d have more fun *being* a guest than anyone would have listening to me 😉

  8. dtsjr dtsjr

    Please, let’s show some respect for Alan Fudge! He was also Jack Cassidy’s attorney on the ’70s episode in which Mickey Spillane gets whacked.

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