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Tag: Season One

It Happened

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Robert Culp’s first outing as a killer is a really, really good one, the first season’s “Death Lends a Hand.” When an attempt at blackmailing newspaper publisher Ray Milland’s wife turns into murder, private detective Culp makes sure that his firm is involved in the investigation. Of course, he doesn’t count on Columbo being assigned to the case and his attempts to derail the inquiry never trick the Lt. for one second. Hollywood personality J.D. Ryznar (Yacht Rock, Drunk History) joins Jon and RJ to break it all down.

A Blue Horse

 

TitleCard_Suitable For FramingIn “Suitable For Framing,” Ross Martin is an art critic who kills his uncle in an elaborate plot to gain control of the old man’s valuable art collection. Jon did not like this. Returning guest Manning Krull and RJ did. It is sometimes odd and Don Ameche’s voice is like smooth, smooth velvet. Anyway, this edition of the podcast reveals both Jon and RJ’s depressing origins for knowing about all of this pop culture junk! Fun!

I’m Just Another Cop

Episode 15 (Murder By The Book)

For our latest, we go back to Columbo‘s first episode (yes, yes- there was the TV movie and then the pilot, but this is the first episode), directed by a young go-getter named Steven Spielberg. It’s Jack Cassidy’s first turn as a murderous creep, killing his writing partner (Martin Milner), rather than letting him break up the team. Joining us is The AV Club‘s Gwen Ihnat, who wrote a wonderful column about Columbo‘s best episodes a little while ago.

That’s a Lot of Fruit Salad

Episode Card_S01E06 (Ep 6)

Going back, back, back to season one, as Carolita Johnson (The New Yorker, carolita.org), Jon and RJ try to find something less blah about “Dead Weight.” War hero Eddie Albert’s cornered when congress threatens to investigate his defense contracts. Shooting his way out of the situation, he didn’t count on the one-two punch of Lieutenant Columbo and a depressed, constantly negged divorcee, played by Suzanne Pleshette, who witnessed the crime with her awful, awful mother. By the end, the podcast figures out a way this episode could have been a bit better, but it’s 40-odd years too late.

Eighty Fellas Tied For First

Episode Card_S01E04 (Ep 4)

Chris Sims and Matt Wilson (War Rocket Ajax and Movie Fighters) join Jon and RJ to discuss “Short Fuse,” in which Roddy McDowall plays a strange genius and heir to a chemical fortune who uses his know-how to murder his scheming uncle. In the process of unraveling the crime, Columbo has to face his fear of heights, silly string, extremely tight 1970s pants and, once again, Ida Lupino. Also, Viewer Mail and discussions for folks who may be new to Columbo.