Columbo (1971)
The legendary detective series where a rumpled, cigar-toting lieutenant dismantles perfect crimes one deceptively casual question at a time.
Columbo - Series Information
- Original Title: Columbo
- First Air Year: 1971
- Last Air Year: 2003
- Created by: William Link, Richard Levinson
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Number of Seasons: 10
- Number of Episodes: 67
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 15, 1971 (United States - TV-PG), September 15, 1971 (Canada - G), September 15, 1971 (United Kingdom - PG), September 15, 1971 (Germany - 12), September 15, 1971 (France - 12), September 15, 1971 (Australia - PG), September 15, 1971 (Brazil - 12), September 15, 1971 (Spain - 7)
- Networks: ABC, NBC
- Production Companies: Universal Television, Studios USA, Universal Television Entertainment, NBC Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Меня зовут Коломбо (RU), 名侦探科伦坡 (CN), کلمبو (IR), Columbo (PT), Colombo (ES), Columbo (FR), Columbo (DE), 刑事コロンボ (JP)
Columbo - Plot
Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.
Columbo - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the lieutenant's inimitable investigative style:
Oh, just one more thing...
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Columbo - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- William Link
- Richard Levinson
Main Cast
- Peter Falk
- John Finnegan
- Bruce Kirby
- Mike Lally
- Shera Danese
- Vito Scotti
- Ed McCready
- Robert Culp
- Patrick McGoohan
- Val Avery
Writers
- Jackson Gillis
- Peter S. Fischer
- Steven Bochco
- Richard Levinson
- William Link
Executive Producers
- Richard Alan Simmons
- Roland Kibbee
- Dean Hargrove
Columbo - FAQs
Where can you stream Columbo online?
Columbo is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium, including their ad-supported tiers. Episodes can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
What is the meaning of Columbo's catchphrase?
"Oh, just one more thing..." is Columbo's signature line, delivered as he seemingly turns to leave a suspect. It signals his most incisive question, designed to catch the killer off guard. The phrase became one of television's most iconic catchphrases and perfectly encapsulates the detective's disarming strategy.
Is Columbo based on a real detective?
Columbo is a fictional character created by William Link and Richard Levinson. The character's mannerisms were partly inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky's detective Porfiry Petrovich from Crime and Punishment, as well as by the rumpled detective in G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown stories.
Who plays the lead role in Columbo?
Peter Falk portrays Lieutenant Columbo throughout the entire run of the series. His performance earned him four Emmy Awards for the role. The supporting cast across various episodes includes Robert Culp, Patrick McGoohan, Bruce Kirby, Shera Danese, and Val Avery, among others.
How many seasons and episodes does Columbo have?
Columbo ran for 10 seasons comprising 67 episodes in total, plus 2 special episodes. The series aired from 1971 to 2003, spanning over three decades. Season 10 is the largest, containing 14 episodes, while earlier seasons typically featured between 3 and 8 episodes each.
What is Columbo's format and how does it work?
Columbo uses an inverted detective format: the audience sees the murder committed at the start of each episode. The drama lies not in who did it, but in watching the seemingly scatter-brained lieutenant methodically corner the killer. Critics and viewers praised this innovative approach as one of TV's most distinctive storytelling techniques.
Did Columbo win any major awards?
Yes. Columbo earned numerous Emmy Awards over its long run. Peter Falk won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the role. Guest stars including Patrick McGoohan also received Emmy recognition for their appearances in the series.
What networks originally aired Columbo?
Columbo originally aired on NBC as part of the NBC Mystery Movie rotating anthology from 1971 to 1978. The series was later revived on ABC, where it continued airing TV movies from 1989 through 2003. Production companies included Universal Television and NBC Studios.
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