Many criminals made the mistake of underestimating Lieutenant Columbo, a homicide investigator with a crumpled trench-coat and a beat-up car, who certainly acted as an incompetent bumbler.But he was so polite to every suspect, and he talked so much about his wife (who we never got to see on any episode, but who many believe later had her own show, starring Kate Mulgrew, later of Star Trek: Voyager fame) that he lulled even the shrewdest murderer into a false sense of security.And although the audience had witnessed the murder in the beginning of each episode, it was still a surprise to see what mistakes the killers had made during the seemingly perfect murder.
Written by Sophie and last updated on jun 06, 2022.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
While on a work trip to London, to learn the techniques of the British police, Columbo gets involved with the murder of Roger Haversham, a rich old businessman who is financing the careers of two rundown theater stars. When Sir Roger threatens to end their careers, because he felt betrayed, he's killed. A short while after, his butler figures out the motives for his master's murder, and blackmails the actors, who have no other choice than to kill him and make it look like he commited suicide due to remorse, because he murdered his employer. Columbo stills manages to catch both the murderers, with the help of a pearl and a new umbrella.
The episode was rated 7.40 from 144 votes.
A fading movie star tries to murder a writer who is attempting to blackmail her, but accidentally kills her P.A.
The episode was rated 7.44 from 149 votes.
A chess grandmaster disposes of the champion, who keeps coming back on him.
The episode was rated 7.49 from 161 votes.
The manager of a football team kills the team's owner, disguising himself as an ice cream vendor as a cover. He then uses a recording of a faked phone call as an alibi to prove he was elsewhere at the time of the murder.
The episode was rated 7.52 from 171 votes.
The mistress of a conductor becomes a target for murder after threatening to tell all to her lover's wife.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 181 votes.
Jarvis Goodland, along with his nephew, plan a kidnap scam to break the nephews trust fund, but after the money has been collected, Jarvis kills his partner.
The episode was rated 7.66 from 169 votes.
A wealthy man is murdered; his twin nephews stand to inherit, but which one committed the crime?
The episode was rated 7.75 from 159 votes.
Leonard Nimoy plays a heart surgeon whose talents turn to murder. Stung by jealousy, he's planning a surgical death for his brilliant but ailing associate. Will Geer plays the intended victim.
The episode was rated 7.86 from 163 votes.
