What I love the most about Columbo is that he treats everyone with respect. His sympathy is always with the victim, and it is truly sympathy, not an excuse for him to lash out at the criminals. He...
What I love the most about Columbo is that he treats everyone with respect. His sympathy is always with the victim, and it is truly sympathy, not an excuse for him to lash out at the criminals. He often treats criminals with empathy without taking their side. Which actually makes him a more effective detective. He embodies a lot of the virtues I strive for. Justice without violence. Retribution without hate or excess. A sharp knife that does the job and then stop cutting. Columbo does what is required of him. And then leaves.
I rewatched all the Colombo episodes a few years ago. I also noticed his humility and empathy. There are several other older shows that emphasize empathy and have main characters who try to avoid...
I rewatched all the Colombo episodes a few years ago. I also noticed his humility and empathy.
There are several other older shows that emphasize empathy and have main characters who try to avoid violence, specifically gun violence. One that stands out is The Bionic Woman. She’s such a sweet and compassionate person and it is basically a theme of the show. Also the source of that show, The Six Million Dollar man, where the main character, like Columbo, doesn’t want to have anything to do with guns. I feel like such shows today would be highly criticized by the usual collection of bad faith people.
Also The Rockford Files. Jim Rockford has a gun but he keeps it at home in a cookie jar and it only comes out in rare emergencies. I think there’s only one or two episodes when it’s fired.
Also The Rockford Files. Jim Rockford has a gun but he keeps it at home in a cookie jar and it only comes out in rare emergencies. I think there’s only one or two episodes when it’s fired.
Obliquely related: Columbo x Fraiser They still air regularly on antenna TV (at least in my local segment) and I'll watch it once in a while. They're neat in that they don't hit the usually...
They still air regularly on antenna TV (at least in my local segment) and I'll watch it once in a while. They're neat in that they don't hit the usually cliches and humanize the murderer. Sometimes you actually hope they'd get away with it. Alongside Columbo, you learn about their corner of the world; things about their profession, their passions, customs, etc which usually tie back to solving the crime.
It's all very accessible, unlike CSI style shows where they found the killer by looking through the database of all flower shops in New York that carry orchids and cross referenced it with buildings made in the 1800's based on a picture containing an old radiator.
The more humanized criminals are great because sometimes they would get a big celebrity like Johnny Cash or Donald Pleasence to play the bad guy, and its fun to see Columbo get to banter with them.
The more humanized criminals are great because sometimes they would get a big celebrity like Johnny Cash or Donald Pleasence to play the bad guy, and its fun to see Columbo get to banter with them.
I figured out where he was going with this about halfway through the comic but kept going in hopes that I was wrong. I dont necessarily disagree but I wish it wasnt the case. I wish people just...
I figured out where he was going with this about halfway through the comic but kept going in hopes that I was wrong.
I dont necessarily disagree but I wish it wasnt the case. I wish people just liked things and wanted to talk about them for other reasons beyond circling back to the same one conversation that has been constantly ongoing for the last 10 years or so.
For what its worth, I also like Columbo, but not because of class warfare. I like Columbo as a character, I like that hes calm and controlled and polite even when facing off against murderers and criminals, for the most part. I like that the episodes telegraph who the murderer is so the whole episode doesnt hinge around a big twist reveal. I like that the show needs to find a different way to be interesting beyond having high stakes and suspense.
That never occurred to me. Columbo is working class, the people he investigates are most often the wealthy. I did have the thought when watching that no police department has the resources to go...
For what its worth, I also like Columbo, but not because of class warfare.
That never occurred to me. Columbo is working class, the people he investigates are most often the wealthy. I did have the thought when watching that no police department has the resources to go all out for everyone the way Columbo goes all out.
That fact also didn't occur to me until hearing it mentioned while watching Columbo: Intrigue Without Mystery. But upon reflection, I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that it's part of the...
But upon reflection, I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that it's part of the appeal. There is a certain catharsis in watching the kinds of people who seem like the kind who would normally escape justice...actually getting caught.
I think it tends to be more that the criminals are elites of some kind. Typically intellectual elites. People like high end buisnessmen, sure, but also chess chanpions and symphony conductors and...
I think it tends to be more that the criminals are elites of some kind. Typically intellectual elites. People like high end buisnessmen, sure, but also chess chanpions and symphony conductors and poets and photographers, and other people who may not be wealthy but you just assume they are because they are famous.
The real underlying thread I think is that Columbos criminals are people who have reason to think of themselves as being too smart to be caught by a run of the mill police detective.
Agreed that not everything needs to be about Trump. But it’s hard not to think of that when you’re watching any show that is about justice or accountability or ethics or competence because real...
Agreed that not everything needs to be about Trump. But it’s hard not to think of that when you’re watching any show that is about justice or accountability or ethics or competence because real life is so disappointing.
I used to watch it with my Dad when I was a kid. I've always liked it. I also just have to link Colombo in Death Note https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLJY8fHYk1A I don't know a single person...
I used to watch it with my Dad when I was a kid. I've always liked it.
I also just have to link Colombo in Death Note https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLJY8fHYk1A
I don't know a single person familiar with both properties, so I've got no one to show it to that would appreciate it.
I do have a question for everyone. When I was a kid my understanding was always that Colombo was a genius that acted dumb and weird to trick suspects. But watching it more as an adult, I think he really was just a weird socially awkward guy. He never seems to drop the act even when he's not working a suspect.
Decoder Ring had a fun episode about how Columbo is HUGE in Romania [1]. I love Columbo. Poker Face took the same format, and it really works well. I don't need to solve the crime myself... and...
Decoder Ring had a fun episode about how Columbo is HUGE in Romania [1]. I love Columbo. Poker Face took the same format, and it really works well. I don't need to solve the crime myself... and its not like the shows ever really give enough to do so; so having it all up front and allowing us to watch our hero piece it together is always great.
Its amazing how many episodes they cranked out -- especially with the runtime.
What I love the most about Columbo is that he treats everyone with respect. His sympathy is always with the victim, and it is truly sympathy, not an excuse for him to lash out at the criminals. He often treats criminals with empathy without taking their side. Which actually makes him a more effective detective. He embodies a lot of the virtues I strive for. Justice without violence. Retribution without hate or excess. A sharp knife that does the job and then stop cutting. Columbo does what is required of him. And then leaves.
I rewatched all the Colombo episodes a few years ago. I also noticed his humility and empathy.
There are several other older shows that emphasize empathy and have main characters who try to avoid violence, specifically gun violence. One that stands out is The Bionic Woman. She’s such a sweet and compassionate person and it is basically a theme of the show. Also the source of that show, The Six Million Dollar man, where the main character, like Columbo, doesn’t want to have anything to do with guns. I feel like such shows today would be highly criticized by the usual collection of bad faith people.
I think Macgyver is a bit like that right? If I recall correctly, his anti gun stance was rooted on a traumatic childhood event.
Also The Rockford Files. Jim Rockford has a gun but he keeps it at home in a cookie jar and it only comes out in rare emergencies. I think there’s only one or two episodes when it’s fired.
Obliquely related: Columbo x Fraiser
They still air regularly on antenna TV (at least in my local segment) and I'll watch it once in a while. They're neat in that they don't hit the usually cliches and humanize the murderer. Sometimes you actually hope they'd get away with it. Alongside Columbo, you learn about their corner of the world; things about their profession, their passions, customs, etc which usually tie back to solving the crime.
It's all very accessible, unlike CSI style shows where they found the killer by looking through the database of all flower shops in New York that carry orchids and cross referenced it with buildings made in the 1800's based on a picture containing an old radiator.
The more humanized criminals are great because sometimes they would get a big celebrity like Johnny Cash or Donald Pleasence to play the bad guy, and its fun to see Columbo get to banter with them.
I figured out where he was going with this about halfway through the comic but kept going in hopes that I was wrong.
I dont necessarily disagree but I wish it wasnt the case. I wish people just liked things and wanted to talk about them for other reasons beyond circling back to the same one conversation that has been constantly ongoing for the last 10 years or so.
For what its worth, I also like Columbo, but not because of class warfare. I like Columbo as a character, I like that hes calm and controlled and polite even when facing off against murderers and criminals, for the most part. I like that the episodes telegraph who the murderer is so the whole episode doesnt hinge around a big twist reveal. I like that the show needs to find a different way to be interesting beyond having high stakes and suspense.
Columbo has actually been a really well regarded show across the world for decades. There are other reasons why someone might like any given thing beyond hating Donald Trump, is what Im getting at.
That never occurred to me. Columbo is working class, the people he investigates are most often the wealthy. I did have the thought when watching that no police department has the resources to go all out for everyone the way Columbo goes all out.
That fact also didn't occur to me until hearing it mentioned while watching Columbo: Intrigue Without Mystery.
But upon reflection, I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that it's part of the appeal. There is a certain catharsis in watching the kinds of people who seem like the kind who would normally escape justice...actually getting caught.
I think it tends to be more that the criminals are elites of some kind. Typically intellectual elites. People like high end buisnessmen, sure, but also chess chanpions and symphony conductors and poets and photographers, and other people who may not be wealthy but you just assume they are because they are famous.
The real underlying thread I think is that Columbos criminals are people who have reason to think of themselves as being too smart to be caught by a run of the mill police detective.
Agreed that not everything needs to be about Trump. But it’s hard not to think of that when you’re watching any show that is about justice or accountability or ethics or competence because real life is so disappointing.
I used to watch it with my Dad when I was a kid. I've always liked it.
I also just have to link Colombo in Death Note
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLJY8fHYk1A
I don't know a single person familiar with both properties, so I've got no one to show it to that would appreciate it.
I do have a question for everyone. When I was a kid my understanding was always that Colombo was a genius that acted dumb and weird to trick suspects. But watching it more as an adult, I think he really was just a weird socially awkward guy. He never seems to drop the act even when he's not working a suspect.
He is smart but his defining characteristic is being relentless. He just can't stop thinking about a case.
I watched a few episodes last year, not bad.
I wouldn't mind trying McMillan & Wife, and McCloud ( Dennis Weaver ) again either.
Decoder Ring had a fun episode about how Columbo is HUGE in Romania [1]. I love Columbo. Poker Face took the same format, and it really works well. I don't need to solve the crime myself... and its not like the shows ever really give enough to do so; so having it all up front and allowing us to watch our hero piece it together is always great.
Its amazing how many episodes they cranked out -- especially with the runtime.
[1] https://slate.com/podcasts/decoder-ring/2023/04/columbo-and-his-cold-war-message-to-romania