What do you do when you’re the host of a wildly popular crime show and a rival finds evidence of your past career in “party films”? Well, if you’re George Hamilton in “Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health,” you kill the guy with spiked cigarettes and hope no one notices. Well, Lt. Columbo notices. Aaron Bleyaert (Conan, How to Lose Weight in Four Easy Steps), our very own foul-mouthed Charles Grodin, returns to the podcast to gloat over how utterly not-good this episode is. Honestly, though, we do start get to some awfully good points about 25 minutes in. We swear.
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Unlistenable. The guest keep repeating his ‘edgy’ joke over and over. I couldn’t take more than 15 min.
I’ve come to really love your podcast and you guys had hit your stride. And then you brought this guest back. WHY????
Variety is the spice of life.
There was no variety. This guy brings NOTHING to your show. Please, I’m begging you, do not bring him back.
Next time can you get someone on who perhaps DOESN’T like the sound of his own voice so much? Seriously guys, this wasn’t variety, it was cringeworthy.
Always refreshing to hear a different point of view! It’s not a great episode of Columbo by any stretch, though I have to admit : the more latter era ones I watch, the better (as a whole) they’re getting.
Yeah, I think we’re feeling the same way. They’re different, and sometimes the original Columbo template doesn’t always quite fit, but we’re warming to them more or less. We’ll be discussing a pretty good example of the latter episodes on the next podcast …
Haha, oh boy, y’all.
I must say, since I was still breathing after the first 20 frustrating minutes, I agree that you all made some very interesting observations about the episode and the series as a whole, perhaps some of the deepest so far, which I truly appreciated from all sides. (I couldn’t help but think of director Ed Wood when you discussed the show being amusing for the wrong reasons.) However, I’m sure you will continue to receive an onslaught of negative reaction (no pun intended) to this one, and even though I don’t know him, it wouldn’t surprise me if the host had this in mind.
Keep them coming regardless, guys. Glad you are back after a quiet spell.
Sorry, I meant to say “it wouldn’t surprise me if the GUEST had this in mind.” My apologies.
“The Maltese Falcon was the second time that movie was made…”
Actually it was the third time. There was the 1931 film of the same name, there was Satan Met a Lady with Warren William and Bette Davis in 1936. To be fair it was a loose adaptation of the novel.
Aw, awesome, thanks for looking out!
While I was watching the episode, at first I liked to see Columbo’s quick eye when he spotted the unsmoked cigarette butts. Unfortunately, it soon became clear that Columbo didn’t have much to do for the next hour, and the pace of the episode dragged more and more. The 80s and 90s episodes really suffered by the inflexible timing: this wouldn’t have been a great episode at 75 minutes, but it would have been considerably improved.
As for the podcast episode: this podcast was certainly listenable, and there were some decent observations. But someone who claims to hate an entire TV series maybe isn’t a good match for a podcast that’s completely devoted to the series. He didn’t seem very happy about returning as a guest, either. Maybe you should thank him for his time and look for guests who actually enjoy the show?
I believe Aaron is right about this episode being a parody (possibly unintentional). The “gotcha” of this episode seems to mock what happens at the end of George Hamilton’s seventies episode, “A Deadly State of Mind.” “Playback” is also alluded to, but I won’t spoil that for you.
As for episodes I wished had happened a couple of thoughts come to mind.
I would have enjoyed watching John Astin playing a philosophy and logic professor who murders a student he was having an affair with when she threatens to expose him.
Also, a “Columbo” and “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” crossover would have been great. Maybe Kolchak could have killed Vincenzo to avoid being fired, or maybe in self defense when he finally pushed the editor too far.
Keep up the good work. I’m always happy to listen to a new episode of your show.
Guys I’ve listened to alot of Ur stuff and have loved Ur insights and deep observations. But this was just terrible! And it was because of Ur guest! Honestly I could of listened to you two pull this not bad episode apart. (undercover, no time to die and rest in peace Mrs columbo being far worst.) But after 15 mins I had to turn this off and listen to the Columbo podcast instead. Sorry guys but epic fail.