Columbo's Best "Gotcha" Moments! | Columbo

Stream Columbo now on Peacock: pck.tv/3oBPwpJ
Oh, just one more thing... Columbo's best gotcha moments!
Clips from the episodes:
00:00 - A Deadly State of Mind
02:17 - Bye Bye Sky High IQ Case
04:37 - Candidate for Crime
07:42 - A Friend in Deed
10:39 - Suitable for Framing
Your favorite shows, movies and more are here. Stream now on Peacock: www.peacocktv.com
He's the greatest detective of all time, and he finally has his own official channel! Follow us for the clips and compilations of the most iconic murders and moments from the classic series.
Just one more thing... Don't forget to subscribe: / @columbo
and watch the full episodes on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/au/tv-season...
#Columbo #PeterFalk

[@richardcanedo1614]

To those who have not seen this terrific murder mystery show, part of what made it different is that you, the viewer, ALWAYS knew who the murderer was -- that wasn't the mystery at all! The crime was set up and committed early in each episode and it seemed clear that it was a perfect crime. (The murderer was almost always a highly intelligent, sophisticated sort, moving in a high-class world of art, education, design, business, etc.) Then enter frumpy, bedraggled Lt. Columbo, who always seemed befuddled and who asked lots of obvious or (it seemed) inane questions, especially, as he was about to exit, "Oh, just one more thing . . ." The fun was in trying to figure out how Columbo was figuring out what was wrong in the "perfect" crime -- and that was never obvious until very close to the end, like these samples. Terrific show, and a nice departure from the structure of "regular" murder mysteries.

[@Tsamokie]

Columbo was not a "who done it", rather it was a "how solve it". All about the sly, coy and cagey detective Lt, Columbo employeed in solving the crime. A great twist on a TV detective series.

[@chiefinspectorshine]

@@Tsamokie It's been a while but I seem to remember one episode where he solved the murder by the way the victim's shoes were tied. It was like, "Oh hell no, Columbo!" Falk owned that character.👍🏾

[@oliverdots]

Am I imagining it or was there 1 episode where you don't see who did it at the start? I'm sure there was just 1.

[@larrysingleton2864]

I like to say "as addicting as Columbo episodes". One of the very few TV programs or movies I can watch over and over again. It took me a while but I've got all the Columbos on DVD.

[@Maxumized]

You are guilty of describing Columbo to a “T”

[@NoxiousRob]

Columbo used a well worn technique, always make the other guy believe he's the smartest person in the room. He was able to disarm these people by letting them think he was not too smart a detective, and playing up to their egos by adopting a deferential approach. That lulled them into a false sense of security and eventually led to them giving the game away.

[@humbleopinion1499]

Yes - agree. And not only did the perpetrators realize the gig was up - it also suddenly dawned on them that Columbo was far smarter than he chose to let on - not only was the gig up - they had been outplayed, outsmarted and outwitted on every level

[@Stillkickingarse]

Very clever screenwriting...

[@madzen112]

Superman does the same

[@madzen112]

'At ease' they call it :)

[@flappospammo]

@@humbleopinion1499 In the sky high IQ one the supposed geniuses realised they were in the presence of a super genius basically a shabby version of sherlock holmes

[@robadams5799]

I like how Columbo was always so polite to the killers. "Yes. sir." "I wouldn't think so, sir." "Excuse me ma'am, would you mind holding the gun?"

[@ajs41]

He's rather English in that regard.

[@wiilov]

Good old fashion American Class.

[@raymondfisheriii791]

I imagine that because it seems like Colombo primarily uses words rather than violence to subdue the criminal’s he’s pursuing, it’s a tactic to allow people to feel more free to talk. It’s basically him playing good cop as much as possible so people feel more comfortable to say literally anything around him.

[@sha11235]

Well, he knew to be polite and not give the game away.

[@Sir_Typesalot]

„I like my job. Oh, I like it a lot and I'm not depressed by it. And I don't think the world is full of criminals or full of murderers, because it isn't! It’s full of nice people, just like you and if it wasn’t for my job, I wouldn't be getting to meet you like this. And I'll tell you something else: even with some of the murderers that I meet, I even like them too. Sometimes! I like 'em and even respect 'em. Not for what they did! Certainly not for that. But for that part of them, which is intelligent, or funny, or polite or just nice. Because I know there's niceness in everyone. A little bit anyhow. You can take a cop's word for it.“ (from the 1977 episode „Try And Catch Me“)

[@bluefinMarga]

Since I was 14, every Sunday night I would watch this with my dad. During the third commercial break, we would get ice cream-- I always had the purple bowl and he had the orange bowl. If we felt like it, we'd have popcorn at the final 30 minutes. I'm happy to say that I'm 23 now and though I'm at university, we still watch it together with the same routine whenever I come home. It's also very common in our family to say "just one more thing" and hold our hand up like Columbo does. This show has a special place in my heart!

[@carriebrooklyn_music]

This is so precious

[@theophanial9432]

I had a similar ritual with my dad. Only we d make instant soup and load it with cream and cheese. We watched it dubbed in our native language so I had never heard the original voices before. I m 40 now and I m going to visit my dad soon I ll try to catch an episode with him :)

[@yannickdanhoue3128]

same with mee !!!

[@dermothoran1814]

I'm delighted that you have this shared time! Make sure to enjoy it, as you will treasure these memories when they're gone. It's amazing how small things, (like a relaxed amiable time bonding over a shared television show) will become an important memory, when your loved parent is gone. Best wishes to you and yours. 😊

[@jwswanboats]

I always had something similar with my mom ( she remembers watching episodes when they first came out). When she retired as a teacher I got her a signed peter faulk drawing of columbo. He was also a terrific artist.

[@SpeccyMan]

Peter Falk played this role to perfection. Every time.

[@Tsamokie]

Zactly

[@dwightropp3014]

So true!

[@hobbygamer6220]

glad he never retired

[@davido3026]

Only Columbo was better than him!!!

[@HouseholdDog]

He was made for it.

[@petermanley7525]

No computer special effects, no car chases, just excellent stories and acting. The humility and intelligence is simply exquisite.

[@5610winston]

We all remember the speeding scene with the radar speed trap, but I seem to remember a scene where a life was truly in peril (as truly, anyhow, as it can be in a fictional teleplay) when Columbo was pushing that little 403 to limits the viewer wouldn't have expected to be possible.

[@petermanley7525]

@@5610winston Yes! Even though as you say it wasn’t real, it was so well done it was harrowing!

[@5610winston]

@@petermanley7525 Then there was the episode when Robert Vaughn was a passenger in a comedic scene where Dennis Dugan was trying to master the four-on-the-tree (and yes, the 403s and the early Peugeot 404s had a four-speed where first was back and down as in a standard three-speed and fourth was a dog-leg forward and up from third, I had several friends who had examples of both, see also 2-Stroke Turbo's _DKW Freeway Blast_ involving a car even homlier than Columbo's car, demonstrating the shift pattern I described.

[@petermanley7525]

@@5610winston Very true. And your favourite episode?

[@petermanley7525]

@@5610winston Very true. And your favourite episode?

[@sethc6663]

Peter Falk frequently added in unscripted improvisations such as asking for a pencil, searching for something in his pockets, asking a character to repeat something, rambling about irrelevant trivialities, or adding in a line about Mrs. Columbo. Falk did this to frustrate and annoy his fellow actor (usually the suspect) and generate a genuine "get to the point" moment ~ IMDb

[@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737]

Lol bet that drove the writers and especially the egomaniacal directors nuts. Good!

[@quietjester154]

this info makes every scene of a "gotcha!" so much more funny because you can see them genuinely getting impatient and getting snappy when he keeps on rambling and rambling, or adding in things that don't need to be there

[@williamwheeler7068]

That was one of the greatest things about the Show. Columbo on his first meeting of a person could get the vibe they were the killer. He was fun to see him get the proof. But Columbo Taunted them to make them think he was a bumbling fool. Where in some cases it would make the killer think they hand the upper hand which could also make them make further mistake.

[@williamwheeler7068]

@@imarriedabrkfsttaco3737 I heard sometimes he and the writers and head guys would fight about the direction an episode. But Peter had so much He just wanted to make sure the show was good. The only story I heard that he ticked off his costars of an episode was the episode with Eddie Albert. He had gotten so upset He walked off the set and didn't show up. So, they had to film around things to keep the episode running. He finally got over his anger and came to the show. However, they had filmed most of it. He wanted to do his scenes with the actors which they had already done without him. The Director stood his ground and said no. Eddie said to him you know I always wanted to work with your but you are really an a-hole. Suzanne Plshette was in that episode, and they had been long time friends and she got very angry with him for a while. However, they did make up. All in all, though Peter Falk was very nice guy. But he just wanted to make sure the show was the best it could be. The funny thing is the episode with Eddie Albert was also a good episode.

[@thesilversurfer7136]

I loved the character Columbo. He uses the same self deprecating manner as Hercule Poirot. Always polite and solicitous which totally disarms their targets.

[@MaryanaMaskar]

These are my two favorite shows!

[@vibovitold]

Poirot was one of the inspirations for the character

[@MrOdsplut]

Poirot is not self-deprecating

[@debbiep8260]

But Hercule Poirot wasn’t self-deprecating; he was actually pompous and full of himself, and extraordinarily proud of his “little grey cells”.

[@normative]

Poirot? Self-deprecating? That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone describe that character that way.

[@barquerojuancarlos7253]

The facial expressions of the people at the moment of being caught, of being exposed by Columbo are amazing. The acting in this series was superb

[@rowanaforrest9792]

Yes! This actor here, the one at the beginning insisting that the man was blind, I recognize as the same actor who played a creepy villain named Mr. Morden on the excellent sci-fi series "Babylon Five." That smarmy expression he does so well is unmistakable.

[@ronmackinnon9374]

​​@@rowanaforrest9792 George Hamilton. But the Babylon 5 actor was different, named Ed Wasser.

[@rowanaforrest9792]

@@ronmackinnon9374 Oh, thanks. I did think his nose looks different than Mr. Morden's, I wondered about that, but the voice and facial expressions are so similar. Wow :)

[@paulmurgatroyd6372]

There is some quality scowling at the end of episodes of Columbo, as you might yourself if you were caught out by the cheeky scruff! 😆

[@Akabalthy]

especially "bye bye sky high IQ chase"

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Falk was perfect for this role, but the real stars were the writers: they came up with the most ingenious crimes and provided a way for Columbo to dissect them in a very astute and entertaining manner. Every episode was consistently written and acted at a level above anything before or since. Probably the best TV detective series ever produced.

[@donl1846]

Brilliant writing.

[@ZarkowsWorld]

When writers was writers and not activists pushing some pathetic agenda down the viewers throat.

[@marrrtin]

I'd agree. When it was on the network, it was always a must-watch.

[@darylmixan8170]

Leslie Nelson was better as Columbo.

[@rogueuniversities6866]

Nonsense. The writers ruined the show by telling you who the culprit was at the start

[@mkvv5687]

These were great. I really liked "Bye Bye Sky High IQ Case" because the antagonist was so sure of his superiority even above a club of smart people. The look of realization when he realized that he'd been outwitted by a bumbling Inspector Clouseau in a rumpled trench coat was priceless. Also, a shout out to fine work of the record player. This show had a terrific rotating supporting cast.

[@YungM.D.]

The use of the classical music reaching an intense crescendo was also a brilliant touch

[@libertyavalanche]

😂 Dead

[@Jerry-up8bk]

COLUMBO NOT CLOUSEAU!

[@mkvv5687]

@@Jerry-up8bk You're right, of course. Inspector Clouseau's trench coat was not rumpled.

[@joimumu]

Jake Peralta from Brooklyn 99 clearly saw that episode

[@jaredhamilton425]

That IQ case was so good. Columbo got him going and the guy didn’t even realize he just completely gave himself by actually explaining how he did it. It’s almost like a real awesome prank.😂🤣😂🤣

[@Jim_L]

I like how quiet so many of these scenes were. No dramatic music pumped in at the key moments, only silence between dialogue. Doing this gives the show a feeling like you're in a theater seeing a live play.

[@VeeSeven700]

Don't see it much anymore. With the advances in tech we've seen more flashy cuts and music overlays. It has its place. But this type of show is missed hugely!

[@demianschultz3749]

Absolutely, things made way more sense back then

@@VeeSeven700 Nothing to do with advances in tech, it's just a change in the medium. Big factor of course is the music video, that by its nature will have more frequent cuts (to match the beat). And the directors who started out in music videos (easier to get into this, on a very small budget even, than in TV or _gasp_ feature films) then went into other TV and (_gasp_ ;-)) feature films, and took that style with them. Which in turn changed out viewing habits.

[@maxflight777]

Nicely put 🔝✅

[@annarodriguez9868]

​@@demianschultz3749 Everything made more sense back then! 😂

[@hongkongcantonese501]

I've always loved the "Oh My" as the genius' ego proves to be his undoing. Columbo was a genius detective, an excellent psychologist, and a master strategist. His legend will live forever.

[@darrennew8211]

That, and the one where the wine opener was used for poison, were my two favorite episodes of all time. And it's kind of soothing to watch how slowly things were filmed back then. A great 40-second shot of just the Big C walking up to the door of the house wasn't uncommon.

[@binaryboy]

Columbo was even geniuser than the genius.

Would have worked on Bernard Samson. But then again, Bernie wouldn't have murdered someone (although he did kill if necessary in his line of work).

[@rita8684]

@@darrennew8211 the wine opener was same mistake as friend in deed..from the off the police conned him....told him go to some house....the jerk went......question was..so you ate food with some guy,,,he drop dead...you didnt go fast to a docter or a hospital??police chief friend in deed,,,,from the off again,,,,he phoned columbo,,,,,,,,why did he phone a homosicide police man?how he know a person was dead/murdered......then they both get for about 1hour plus of just one more things........lol,,,,,,,,

[@Badartist888]

It's great but a good lawyer would get him off. Imagine how Columbo would sound in court against some denials. I love the show but a lawyer and a lie on the stand would get so many of them off.

[@ajhintleman215]

The last scene where Columbo pulls his hands out of his pockets and just makes the most "Oh really now? You dunn goofed, kid" face ever...I love it

[@SpielkindFR]

Its such a great way to show how many steps he was ahead at all times. He assumed that accusation of him touching the paintings then and there might come up. And he prepared accordingly.

[@Michael_Knight823]

​@@SpielkindFRYep, Columbo is the kind of guy who's playing chess while the murderer is playing tic-tac-toe.

[@jonh6585]

literally proving two steps ahead, not only did he catch him in the finger prints...he knew the guy would say "you just did that now" so had the gloves prepped

[@spacewolfjr]

the consequences were never the same!

[@TinyMaths]

To me, these Columbo endings are so well crafted that they get to me emotionally. I always feel a little bit 'sad' once Columbo's strategy has almost completely unfolded, and the suspect realizes they've been trapped. There's often a tone of sadness in Columbo's voice as he wraps things up; a feeling of pity in his voice, and he has this almost apologetic gait (which I suppose is his usual walk, but it seems to have a specific impact at the gotcha moment). Maybe he wishes it could have been another way, that the person could have been innocent. Whatever it is, I'm usually left in a quiet melancholy mood.

[@vibovitold]

in some cases Columbo was clearly able to empathize with the perpetrator and respect them on some level, like with the wine expert, or the musician (played by Johnny Cash). some of them were less despicable than others, and often committed murders because they truly had their backs against the wall, in a way. for some others he had no sympathy (like the surgeon played by "Spock"), they had no redeeming qualities. what i find refreshing was the atmosphere of intellectual honesty permeating the show, which even the villains adhered to. the murderers, once faced with the inevitable conclusion, pretty much never deny it, they don't try to defy logic. they have to accept the conclusion, because reality can't be twisted anymore at this point. it makes me think of chess (that i play, although i'm not particularly high rated). when it's checkmate, it's checkmate - there's no point in arguing further, it is what it is, right there on the board. you've made a mistake somewhere, and here's the indisputable result. there's this famous quote from an interwar chess grandmaster Tartakower - "on the chessboard, lies and hypocrisy do not survive long". very suiting here, the way i feel about it.

[@donarthiazi2443]

​@@vibovitold I completely agree. The mystery writer that killed her niece's husband/murderer in her home vault is one that Columbo might have struggled with a bit. At the end she actually thought our hero would sympathize with her enough to _'look the other way'_ ... but he reminded her they were both _"professionals."_ And he actually did drop the case when Janet Leigh murdered her husband so she could again start dancing. BUT the circumstances were VERY SPECIAL and it would have been no benefit to arrest her.

[@gnarlin4964]

@@donarthiazi2443 Which episode is that?

[@donarthiazi2443]

@@gnarlin4964 They were _Try and Catch Me_ where the old woman killed her niece's murderer in a locked vault. And _Forgotten Lady_ where Columbo did not arrest Janet Leigh. I loved them... especially _Forgotten Lady._ Edit: Columbo didn't just not arrest her because he felt sorry for her. Watch the episode and you'll see 😉

[@poetcomic1]

@@donarthiazi2443 That was the great Ruth Gordon of Rosemary Baby's fame.

[@eddiecolon3941]

The Mentalist , Monk , Psych , Murder She Wrote , all of them owe respect to this show. And Peter Falk was absolutely perfect for this role.

[@paulbriggs3072]

Not so fast, Eddie. You see, while you claimed to be at the country club playing tennis with the victim, your phone message machine shows that you called at 2:34 pm. But according to the log at your club, you showed up at the club 10 minutes after that. But there's no way you could have gotten to the club only ten minutes later. You see there happened to be a road detour that day due to bridge work. That bridge closed half an hour before that call. But you could not have known that, Your identical twin Herbert showed up in your place wearing your club jacket. At first I didn't notice but then I saw that you sign your name a bit differently when you made the mistake of giving me your autographed picture of your days as a magician.

[@SundaeExpress]

Hehe, it's a rare treat to meet someone who's even heard of 'Monk', let alone appreciates it's awesomeness, so thank you :)

[@ront0803]

Absolutely!

[@ThatsMrMoronToYou]

And none of them can hold a candle to Columbo because it was a 90 minute show.

[@SundaeExpress]

@@rabeapakind3709 Her?

[@colinweir5807]

Columbo was quiet, methodical and persistent. The phrase "Just one more thing......." would throw so many supects off balance. 🐯

[@len8744]

I always liked the way they would sometimes get annoyed at his continual questions!

[@eileenfrank3686]

By that point in the show, ..."Just one more thing....," the solution of the crime became secondary; it became increasingly evident that the guilty person may just beg to be hauled off by police officers!

[@kevina3372]

And sexist… he questioned that woman about whether she fly a plane alone like he is in the 60’s… oh wait

[@heatmyzer9]

Yep, when he said that….it was the end of the end, game over.

[@macro3751]

​@@kevina3372I mean, some people have co pilots, hell depending on the plane it might even be out of necessity. Knowing if there was a second person with the one being questioned is a pertinent thing to a murder investigation

[@JacksonBetta]

Nobody sets you up better than Columbo. What a great show this was.

[@sha11235]

The first episode of Columbo I ever caught was the one with Jackie Cooper as the candidate. Was hooked ever since. This was in the 80's long after the show had ended and just before the revival.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

I always liked how Columbo was ready to leave and then makes a brilliant excuse to stay.

[@francesdigiovanni6151]

He is excellent with the complements as he his worming his way into ito the case .

[@rameshrolla1574]

"just one more thing" sir 😁

[@jonowens460]

That cinched it😮😂😂😂

[@mumblesbadly7708]

Ross Martin’s character’s reaction when Columbo pulls out his gloved hands is priceless. 😂😂😂

[@xenolambrose7261]

Ross was a highly underrated actor IMHO

[@bernhardwall6876]

For this to work, Columbo has to keep his hands in his coat pockets throughout the scene.

[@MBValentine]

Me and my brother still randomly quote "he he touched them!!! You touched them you you"

[@MikeySea676]

The lip quivering 😄

[@greenaum]

Yeah cos gloves aren't removable! Seemed like something they overlooked... I'd love to see how some of these cases stand up in court.

[@areoborg]

The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Case may not be the greatest Gotcha on paper, but with Tchaikovsky playing in the background and their interactions growing in intensity along with the music is what really sells that moment.

[@agriperma]

Columbo knew he had an ego, and used that to his advantage, Colombo not only had the suspect admit his crime, he had him show him how he did it.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@agriperma not smart enough to keep his ego in check, had he let columbo show him his method which would not work he might have gotten away

[@vordman]

It's a genius piece of TV the way it builds to a crescendo. Brilliant acting from both men.

[@AnointedFlow]

Yes! Genius

[@lduranceau8046]

On my personal favorites.

[@aaronmehaffey6251]

"Commissioner I believe you killed your wife." I love when Columbo drops the act and goes into Arrest Mode.

[@acrodave9287]

Colombo was the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing, an Apex Predator circling his prey with vicious intent. What makes him great is that he punches up against the rich, the privileged and the powerful, an intelligent, ruthless working class hero always punching up. A character to aspire to.

[@COTH23]

The one episode when Colombo pulls out his gloved hands gets me everytime.

[@RJ1999x]

That was genius

[@lusmas99]

My favorite episode.

[@ashleyp.4932]

"Suitable for Framing" - sadly on the DVD of the series they give away the "Gotcha" having a photo of Columbo with the gloves on from the end - it's fine when you know it, but if you hadn't seen it before... 😮

[@Kevtron9000]

So funny

[@ms.charlotte4027]

Yes!!!

[@BammerD]

The instant Columbo starts with the constant "just one more question" or "just one more thing," you're done.

[@harrismiller1948]

It's the kind of show and the kind of writing you don't see today, the perfect crime dissected by a perfect detective

[@vibovitold]

Perfect crime? Oh, I'm sorry, sir. There's no such thing as a perfect crime. It's an illusion.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

​@@vibovitold yeah

[@wyland7716]

@@vibovitoldNoice!

[@mrlesta]

what i like about columbo is the relationship journey that develops between murderer and detective and the pressure he builds up on them until they are almost relieved at the end for it to be all over

[@markbonner1139]

VERY ASTUTE, thought that myself, now & again!!

[@mrlesta]

@@markbonner1139 thought what ?

[@rajeshparmar5457]

A humble detective, nothing extravagant about him but his attention to detail and method of working to find the culprits made Columbo the best in his profession . Hats off to him .

[@brendathompson2288]

Man I'm telling you the reactions by these guys when they realized they were caught is everything. 🤣🤣🤣

[@siddharthsen7035]

The best reaction was Ross Martin's in suitable for framing

[@brendathompson2288]

@@siddharthsen7035 "Th th this is an entrapment. It's a set up that's all." 😆 With the quivering lips.

[@davido3026]

They were caught up with their pants down!!! Literally!!!

[@siddharthsen7035]

@@brendathompson2288 the quivering lips is what makes it so epic 😁

[@Tsamokie]

@@siddharthsen7035 Yeah, when Columbo pulls out his gloved hands. Sweet. Second to that is when Columbo calls out the "blind man's" brother whom is indeed the blind man. Godfrey, I just adore Columbo and Peter Faulk's rendition.

[@walterengler5709]

I have to admit the one with the gloves I love SOOO much. Ross Martin plays it so well you can see the mind just fly off the tracks and get totally lost not knowing what to do once the gloves appear.

[@TJay41]

I almost felt sorry for the guy, he went from smug to a blubbering idiot in less than a minute

[@salmanuel4053]

The writing (and Peter Falk's acting) was not only better than most of today's programs, it was shockingly better.

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

My parents introduced me to this and I follow their addiction. I love seeing the arrogance of the murderers, thinking they’re dealing with an unorganised, confused office worker only to be struck with the realisation that they’re dealing with one of the most intelligent detectives in LA.

[@rmr5740]

As a kid, I loved when the Sunday Night Mystery was Columbo. One last reprieve before the dreaded Monday morning back to school. The show progression was wonderful. First the arrogant murderer couldn't be bothered with the nincompoop cop. Unfortunately, the cop just wouldn't go away, but no worry, he was just too smart for the cop. Then there was that point were the murderer wasn't so sure the cop was so dumb but it was too late, he was caught. Columbo on Sunday night was part of growing up.

[@ian_b]

Love this memory. I remember that feeling of staying up late to watch something "eking out the day before sleep and then school" :)

[@adotintheshark4848]

Didn't Sunday Night Mystery have four shows which rotated each Sunday? I don't remember what the other three were.

[@rmr5740]

@@adotintheshark4848 McMillan & Wife and McCloud were the other 2. I liked them too but Columbo was my favorite.

[@tomekhauzer]

@@rmr5740 Similar memories. I loved watching Columbo when I was a young teenager. Very clever show and of course unforgettable Peter Folk. I'm from Poland and American TV series such as Columbo, Kojak and San Francisco Streets were very popular in Poland in 70s . Polish state TV showed them every Thursday nights as an evening of crime stories and late Saturday nights.

[@70sleftover]

@@tomekhauzer Impressive! Soviet-era Poland actually allowed this American TV.

[@ProtoBlueGaming]

That gloved hands reveal was absolutely amazing

[@dixonpinfold2582]

Except he could have put the gloves on in the interim, no?

[@gabyu]

To me it was one of the few occasions that Columbo showed the Machiavelli side of his character

[@capacitatedflux]

​@@dixonpinfold2582sure, but the perp already has zero composure at that point. It's probably something that he would think about in jail, but with all the pivots and trying to keep a story straight in the moment, he's probably not thinking about that.

[@pieandcheese647]

@@dixonpinfold2582Columbo is shown to have his hands in his pockets for that entire scene. The moment he walks into the door his hands are in his pockets. We never see them until he reveals the gloves.

[@okamiseven]

​@@dixonpinfold2582put on a coat and put gloves in the pockets then see if you can put the gloves on one handed without taking your hands out of the pockets

[@FactBuffet]

Peter Falk won 4 Emmys and a Golden Globe for playing Columbo!

[@Blessedlight1]

Could watch Columbo a hundred times and it would not be enough. Outstanding scripts that is played perfectly by the actors.

[@muzluv33]

i never tire of Columbo after all these years. Watch it every time a can and have the DVD' of the original and the remake.

[@poleaxed6447]

In the UK one of our channels has them almost on a permanent cycle every Sunday. May have seen them many times but they still have a charm that you rarely see in detective drama's today.

[@TheMan750]

That politician ending as of this moment is my favorite. When you’re 5 steps ahead of Columbo, he’s already 3 steps ahead of you

[@JIMuser-vh3Zxx]

What four brilliant ‘gotta you’ moments . Peter we all miss you and your roles you played . No one could have done it in your style and charismatic manner .

[@johndean4765]

The gotcha moment when Colombo was wearing gloves at the end was brilliant!!!

[@filipvadas7602]

Columbo as a whole was an absolute masterclass in writting and acting. The beauty of the show, on top of it mostly being done from the killer's perspective, was that all of Columbo's observations are so simple and yet incredibly clever. Anyone could make the connections he did if they were observant and/or clever enough, but the audience doesn't see them because , again, we only see the *"perfect crime"* like the killer until the jig is up

[@kxl309]

I have no clue why but at 4:17 is exactly why I loved watching columbo slowly look up, not because it looked goofy or anything but because it looked he was staring at the viewer and the murder at the same in the 'I know you know' sort of feel

[@kxl309]

Peter Falk did an amazing job being this strange Lt. And I'm glad that he was the one playing columbo because he truly is unpredictable in the sense that you can't quite tell what's going on in that goofy head of his

[@kxl309]

Also I never knew until now but he's got a glass eye and yet it somehow has so much life and emotion in it that it's hard to tell unless you pay close attention

[@stephendacey8761]

Wow...Peter Falk seems so old when I was a kid watching it. Now, I think I look older than him. Boy does time fly.

[@liecrusher3506]

I know what you mean. Surreal.

[@mariaml9854]

I WAS ONLY 4 OR 5 WHEN MY PARENTS WATCHED COLUMBO AT TV, NOW I AM 51 AND WATCHES IT EVERYDAY WITHMY FATHER WHOIS 96!! HEIS LIKE A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY!!

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@mariaml9854 ...After all these years....your father has the right to be considered "Family"!!! And Maria...There's no need to shout..... It's your DAD THAT IS DEAF.... Not the rest of us. But God Bless ya!

[@mariaml9854]

@@patagualianmostly7437 DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU. AM I SHOUTING??

[@jackkruese4258]

You’re right I’m 50 and it only seemed like last week I was in my early 20s.

[@Rjl41]

I can add the ending of Columbo goes to College, murder by the book and now you see him with the great Jack Cassidy as the great Santini, the forgotten lady, candidate for crime, or double exposure are ones of the best ends ever!!!

[@SBaby]

4:30 - If there's one thing Columbo is good at doing besides catching killers, it's getting killers to self-snitch.

[@burtonstewart8798]

Classic television at it’s best, the likes of which we will never see again. Brilliant writing, producing, and acting. Love Columbo!

[@gregbors8364]

This show was definitely one of the best of its time, and I’d say the movie industry in general has devolved over the past 50 years or so, but most the best television series have been produced in the 21st century: The Sopranos, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Shield, and, more recently, Severance come to mind. Cable and streaming services have allowed television to escape the confines of the old broadcast TV format, in which content that wasn’t “family-friendly” was not allowed.

[@GILLY56ify]

@@gregbors8364 You are right that TV drama has developed over the years and is much better for it but Columbo was and still is worth watching because of the character of Columbo; Peter Falk played him perfectly in my opinion ... i always get the impression that the guest stars enjoyed being involved in each plot as the guilty party and created the enjoyment for the viewer to want to watch .. I personally still enjoy watching repeat episodes of the shows

[@kaybee4132]

I can't imagine not having Columbo in my life! Love these snippets, love the marathons on TV, love my box sets -- 😍. The man, the character, the direction, the guest stars - perfection!

[@FriendOfChrist]

I've been watching Columbo for 50 years, and I never get tired of him. He's one of the greatest characters ever created for TV.

[@maozedong44]

Dont forget the writers, insanely good.

[@1971dave]

The great race is a must see film,,, here in the UK columbo is on channel 21 every Sunday from 9 till 9,,

[@FriendOfChrist]

@@1971dave - The Great Race is such a funny movie. One of my favorites. Jack Lemmon stole the show, and Peter Falk was hilarious as his assistant.

[@williamstdog9]

Me 2 Kay!! I honestly haven’t watched these episodes for more than 20 years but now seeing them again almost brings tears to my eyes … so awesome how family friendly entertainment from a forgotten time can bring back so many memories and take you back … 😢 I miss wholesome TV shows & movies like this … what a CLASSIC Columbo was ♥️

[@ksumar]

I remember watching Columbo on a Black & White TV📺! Those were the days when we only had 3 channels in the UK namely BBC1, BBC2, and ITV

[@bigron7009]

This is quite possibly America's greatest ever gift to the world. Columbo & Falk...Majestic 😍

[@stevencooke6451]

Possibly my favourite fictional detective. I loved watching him watch the smirk off the killer's face. Perpetually underrated because of his outward appearance, but with a mind like the proverbial steel trap.

[@amaybury4672]

I love Columbo's expression at 12:22, it's like, 'I know, I'm sorry, you're trying so hard but there's really no way out of this'.

[@sanityplusmilkshakes]

The expression screams "I mean, bruh..."

[@mv8141]

Back when good writing was important.

[@CatzlovichCatnipAndCabbages]

The Candidate For Crime ending is phenomenal it gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

[@Thomas-fg9il]

I love how he always played Colombo as if he was a bumbling nitwit, which I believe was partially to allow the suspect to let their guard down. And in the end he always solves the crime, and typically it is partially due to (or in spite of) the arrogance of said suspect. There's something inherently satisfying about that formula. They ought to do a remake of this show, except on one would ever play the part so well...

[@truthneverlies4922]

Nobody can’t be redone

[@truefilm6991]

Columbo is about class struggle. The resourceful working class man outwits the pompous high class murderer. That alone is very satisfying. The victim is often an idiot who blackmails the murderer, not knowing who they are dealing with. That fact makes it a little easier to sympathize with the murderer. The best endings are the ones where they seem to make an agreement with Columbo: you got me, there is no more use denying I did it. I go quietly and await trial.

[@KB-ke3fi]

I liked his dog

[@staceygram5555]

Why make a remake when you can just watch the original? Also, they tend to destroy everything they try and make remakes of.

[@lenaicooper877]

@@staceygram5555 so true!!!

[@bndkllr2763]

"I have jush one more queshjun shir." I LOVE the way Peter Faulk's Columbo sneaks up on his suspects, who quickly assume that he is confused and inept!

[@Kiwigucci]

All the episodes showed us that the perfect murder doesn’t exist.

[@RisqueBisquet]

I mean, a vast majority of murder cases in real life don't get solved. If there's such a thing as an unsolvable murder, it's safe to say it's one of the ones that haven't been solved. Of course, real murder cases are much less exciting. If a body is never found, and nobody saw the person disappear, it's always a tough nut to crack.

[@Katharina14031982]

I also love the ending of “Columbo cries wolf” where he finds the dead wife inside the newly built bathroom wall, via her digital bracelet.

[@muzluv33]

Yes! That is one of my favorites of the later episodes.

[@csevern5106]

Peter Falk was the best - playing a pedantically-detailed, nerd/geek . RIP Peter, you are gone, but not forgotten.

[@rabbitgundam4420]

Peter Falk is incredible. Watching this again so many years later, I can't get over how amazing the acting is by EVERYONE on screen. The desperation, arrogance, you name it, of the guilty parties. Columbos deductions are reasonable, brilliant and practical. No throw-away lines like: "I found this in the archives". Just exceptional writing, acted out by exceptional actors. I have been binge-watching this recently for some nostalgia, as I used to watch this with my grandmother when she would watch me. A half-century since its debut, Columbo is still a far superior product to sit down, unwind and enjoy.

[@tnwhiskey68]

I think the thing that makes this show so effective is that Columbo seems so unassuming and plays dumb so well. When he exposes his brilliance, it's too late for the criminal!

[@CobraAction1]

"Bye Bye Sky High IQ Case" Columbo is the genius...

[@stelvis7413]

One of the greatest busts in the series was when he got Commissioner Halprin. Brilliant.

[@Lava1964]

My friend and I watched that episode when it first aired. He joked, "if it's Columbo's apartment, maybe he's the culprit."

[@RTG1031]

That episode just showed that the Commissioner didn't have much between his ears to get to where he was. The only way to explain why he would put his top cop on his wife's murder case.

[@duncancurtis5971]

Clark Kents boss in one episode.

[@mickirving6779]

@@RTG1031 that's right. Earlier episode season 1. The killer Robert Culp offered Colombo a job to get him off the case.

[@davido3026]

@@mickirving6779 his name gave him away!!! Robber culprit

[@karelfinn2343]

It says a lot that I read the video title and immediately knew what the last clip was going to be, because that moment when Columbo pulls his hands out of his pockets and shows off those gloves is legendary.

[@BoogieManSince1977]

Peter Falk is Immortal in my eyes... what a King of a man

[@johnmolina3441]

That show was the best. And the guest list was outstanding

[@markbonner1139]

Remember the 1 with Eddie Albert & Susanne Pleshette?? OUTSTANDING!!!

[@Rhubba]

My favourite of them all is the Bye Bye Sky High IQ case in the way it builds up, the close quick editing, the performances ratcheting up into a tense gotcha. Fantastic performances from Peter Falk and Theodore Bikel. But I've also got to hand it to Ross Martin and Falk in Suitable For Framing as well...one man's complete emotional breakdown.

[@bernhardwall6876]

I love how enthusiastic Columbo is while he plays out his solution to the murder, and Brant's as he shoots it down, before realizing that he has inadvertently condemned himself.

[@davidlally592]

Mm thart particular Colombo ep is based on a high iq society. In fact the late bikel was then a mensa member - in reality!!

[@culcune]

I always loved how he knew exactly who did it, yet toyed and played with them for the entire film. On a side note, waaaaaay back in 1987, I was on my way to class, and they were filming part of one of the later Columbo's at my school, Cal. State University, Northridge. If I recall, it was the episode where there was a university course about solving murders, and some of the students committed an actual murder, but unfortunately for them, Columbo was the detective on that case...

[@rubix4195]

One of my fave cases when I was younger - the two students who killed the tutor. :)

[@theblitz9]

Columbo Goes to College I actually expected to see the climax scene here in this video

[@culcune]

@@rubix4195 cocky kids trying to outwit Columbo; amateurs...

[@culcune]

@@theblitz9 I was hoping to see it, as well.

[@brendakabanda2181]

@@rubix4195 same here.

[@onikoneko]

The second one with the squibs is the *perfect* example of using people's innate desire to correct others when they believe they are mistaken. Columbo deliberately set up a false show with the dictionary and vibrations so the killer rushed in to demonstrate how it *really* happened, and thus reveal himself as the killer.

[@tyeteames7192]

One of my favorite actors. He never failed to keep my interest in his films . Comedy, drama, or intrigue. A truly gifted actor.

[@chaosnexxus9255]

8:52 for "Ay! I don't even live here!"

[@charlesmurphy1510]

They will never make a better show than Columbo.

[@cyphi474]

I hope they will never try.....

[@an-cx1ho]

what about reality show with kardashians

[@RoisinT2]

Impossible.

[@rw8733]

There will never be another Columbo.

[@madsheila4169]

You are correct. It isn't possible

[@mack8488]

Never ever ever EVER underestimate your ennemy.... is the big lesson Colombo taught us weekly... great show i always loved it!!!

[@musicwillsaveme]

One of the greatest characters on TV. May he RIP.

[@Fremen1971]

I loved Peter Falk as Colombo, the grandfather in The Princess Bride, and as Sam Diamond in the great detective comedy "Murder By Death".

[@davidjames468]

And several other great roles!

[@francesdigiovanni6151]

also as a mobster in Murder INC

[@edwardrock8153]

I like the ending in "Columbo Cries Wolf" with the beeper literally spelling out "gotcha"

[@yvonnecooper5494]

I like that one too.

[@Chutney1luv]

Columbo, being an extraordinary detective, has a way of making a criminal regret bring born! 🤣🤣🤣

[@LKMNOP]

What I find amazing is that these are some of my most favorite of the denouements of his. These are all from his earlier shows which were better than the latter third of the shows where they made him a caricature of himself. These show the character's true genius. It was so clever how he would pit people's intelligence against themselves.

[@a2pha]

"And one more thing ..." Columbo is one of the greatest TV shows that teaches you very good lessons in deduction and reasoning. They should be required watching for children.

[@Urko2005]

I could watch the episodes over and over and not get bored, they are that good , even decades on.

[@ftoniaromano6480]

Very interesting! Columbo would also give school kids a man to watch. He’s a gentleman. He helps people. He respects women. He always puts his arm out for them to hold. He’s gentle. He’s angry. He’s a genius! GREAT IDEA!

[@crazyralph6386]

Also teaches patience, tenacity and most of all….”I want a lawyer”. 😂

[@vibovitold]

making anything "required watching" is the best way towards ruining the experience in my opinion

[@DutchVanHelsing]

I was a Londoner working for an English run motorcycle couriers in Hollywood making so much as bike messenger companies did not exist in LA. It must have been 85/6 and I was in the Beverly hills between Coldwater and Laurel Canyons..I came to a 4 way stop and noticed a convertible Rolls Royce that looked broken down from the way it was parked..I went over to see the owner and it was Peter Falk , we had a chat and I asked him if he needed a ride to a gas station as it turned out he was just outta fuel. He thanked me and said his wife was on her way with fuel as he had called from his radio phone...a few mins late she turns up in an XJs and rolls her eyes at him and we laugh...My first Hollywood celeb bumping-into-story...

[@Komotau4691]

Nice one.

[@rw8733]

I'd be speechless.

[@AzguardMike]

i loved the Bye Bye Sky one. He is laughing crazy at how "wrong" Columbo is, to the point he has to show him how it is done, laughing the whole time, then a simple "oh no" when he realises he just implicated himself, nay, proved, he was the killer.

[@keltonfoster]

At 4:25 is the face of a man who just realized he needed to kill again.

[@paulfitness5157]

Every Saturday nite I'd buy 6 bags of popcorn, 8 snack bars and sometimes a Pizza and sit back, relax and enjoy Columbo, might sound sad but was one of my highlights of being a kid

[@logansharp9520]

Not sad...its genius....thanx for the tip, ill swap popcorn for beer, snax n pizza n Colombo is next weekend sorted 😅✌️🇬🇧👍🇺🇲

[@manoman0]

Sad? Sad how?? It meant you had parents that could provide enough snacks for you to put on weight as a kid, have a roof over your head, a telly and I could go on and on and on....sounds, like well, pretty good!

[@TinyMaths]

Not sad at all; sounds like the perfect night in. Nothing like a good back to back session of Columbo on a weekend. I still do it from time to time...

[@Allan-et5ig]

Not sad at all! It was a great show and the food you were slamming was permissible - for a kid's metabolism!

[@paulfitness5157]

@@manoman0 true

[@ewardmello4255]

Don't we appreciate him more and more .What a actor!

[@angc214]

Columbo did such a good job of playing dumb and letting the bad guy talk himself into prison.

[@s.tiffanysmith9977]

I have seen every episode multiple times. Every time I watch them, it's like I'm seeing them for the first time. Peter Faulk was made for this part. A genius actor.

[@stephanginther9051]

I've heard nothing but good things about Peter Falk. I mentioned in a comment a few years ago that my dad knew a guy who was friends with him. He told my dad that Falk actually dressed like he did on Columbo in real life and pretty much _only_ wore second hand clothing. They said he was turned away from quite a few star's homes he'd been invited to by security who though he was homeless. My comment got a reply a while later by someone who personally knew him. They said that that was true. They went on to say that Peter Falk was one of the kindest and most generous and genuine human beings they'd ever had the privilege to call a friend and they miss him every day. RIP Peter, you will be remembered.

[@larrysingleton2864]

"I've heard nothing but good things about Peter Falk" Same with Ernest Borgnine. I've got this movie Aces and Eights. I think he played the part just to help an actor at the beginning of his career. In the special features they're interviewing him and he comes across as a regular guy. Doesn't play the big movie star. The real deal as I like to say. I enjoyed the interview probably more than I enjoyed the movie. Just finished a book written by Douglas Fairbanks Jr about his war years. Another regular guy who was a war hero just like a lot of other actors during World War II. Not like these woke self-absorbed Hollywood actors today. Let me know if you can see this comment. Actively shadow banned and censored by both the KZbin and Fakebook fascists and New Nazis.

[@stephanginther9051]

@@larrysingleton2864 I saw it.

[@radicalross7700]

Yes, Stephen Ginter. Remembered fondly and greatly missed.

[@rita8684]

@@larrysingleton2864 yes i seen your comment,,it could be maybe as almost all them actors from back then were all from like no job no money..ultra hard life....they get mega rich,,,famous..it dont change them much...telly savalis ,kojak and so on,,,,was only intrested in the bar at the hotel,,,they name it after him...after lol,,,i use to see him once a year...the greek easter time...he would come most easters to the church here in north london....england....no idea the reason why that same church?my mum chat with him lots!!just another greek person in the church.....no security people with him,,,,,,this all jazz,,,,like we see maddona jogging with 8 big men around her jazz lol,,,times have changed,,

[@larrysingleton2864]

@@rita8684 What a great story. The only claim to fame I have is seeing Muhammad Ali come out of a magic shop on Hollywood Blvd and get into a big black convertable and Al Capone giving my gra'mom, a waitress, pregnant with my mom twenty dollars and saying "Buy your baby some shoes" .. Pretty neat story about Telly Savalis. Yeah; A lot of those old timers were the real deal. Worked their way up the hard way.

[@marijooneill8015]

Love Columbo every time he gets the last laugh. Love all of the episodes.

[@jamesfeldman4234]

Metaphorically, Columbo gets the last laugh. But you'll note he never actually laughs when his gotcha is complete. Columbo is always serious at that point. And sometimes, there's even a "Sorry, but I'm just doing my job" message implicit in these closings.

[@energyplus8738]

@@jamesfeldman4234 Exactly right! He has respect for criminals, even as he apprehends them.

[@milosorian1320]

"No Sir." Gets me all the time.

[@etourdie]

Zvarri! That last one was definitely the inspiration for how Phoenix took an ace detective down

[@jaylamb1097]

Suitable For Framing and A Friend In Deed were so good; the endings made them classics IMO.

[@dchegu]

No doubt,my friend

[@TheMaineSurveyor]

A Friend In Deed featured Richard Kiley. Spared no expense!

[@emsleywyatt3400]

I love the look that the thief gives Columbo.

[@TheStuport]

"Just One More Thing" Never Ever Gets Old! Cheers To All Of The Colombo Groupies!

[@edward1676]

Thanks..

[@filipohman7277]

Cheers, Greetings from Helsinki, Finland 🇫🇮

[@TheStuport]

@@edward1676 All Good Edward! Cheers

[@TheStuport]

@@filipohman7277 Cheers From Ohio in the States!

[@filipohman7277]

@@TheStuport Cheers Brother 👍😎

[@thadkroon171]

I can watch these over and over and over and never tire of them. All of the acting by all characters is just outstanding.

[@tonymu2976]

I've watched every episode many times and it is always entertaining

[@JBMistry]

This show will NEVER get old. You can watch it 50 years later and still enjoy it. I envy those who haven't seen the show. They have a whole lot of enjoyment and excitement ahead of them.

[@AC3HT]

"Dunces, the lot of them" . 🤣 Great line from truly a great episode. 📺

[@jerryvan-hees7130]

That episode was overdone. So much what ifs or miracle chances. Very tacky episode

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

He was quite the arrogant genius.

[@JorgensZelda]

Mr. Morris has an excellent voice for radio or narration. I wonder if he had such a career.

[@garyhope3731]

Brilliant tv series, can watch them again and again, never get fed up of watching week after week.

[@Kevtron9000]

I crack up so hard everytime I see Columbo raise his hands w the gloves on. That scene is fantastic

[@pmb6667]

LOL! Right? The look on his face! The other part earlier, the quick exchange when he asks the other cop for confirmation whether he can 'prove it' that the paintings were planted. Columbo (turns to cop): "Can we?" Cop: "Yup" Columbo (turns to suspect): "Yeah." That entire quick exchange made me laugh every time, LOL!

[@Guru316]

The best part of the Columbo character was his ability to spot the unusual. He could see what others couldn't. And the way he worked it out was his genious.

[@mkvv5687]

That's 'cause he could see two things at once.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

That's every main detective character ever tho, now isn't it? Legit question.

[@deejorno]

@@jestfullgremblim8002 while the ability to spot the unusual is in every good detective fiction, Columbo's version is to spot them *while* he's acting a fool. He's leading these people into these confessions by spotting how they're reacting to his act. Sherlock Holmes, Batman, you name it can spot a lie. Columbo will spot the path to confession.

[@jestfullgremblim8002]

@@deejorno now that's a good way to put it. Just like you said, his things wasn't merely spotting the unusual.

[@macmcleod1188]

@@deejorno Columbo was a *really* good actor. And Columbo could be *quite* the showman too. I loved when he did the magic tricks for the Great Santini.

[@dsoutherland1747]

I loved that show. Always great endings.

[@davidwilson2680]

Seen every Columbo, and enjoyed all of them. Still watch them to this day. Never get tired of Columbo.