Columbo is one of television’s most celebrated crime dramas, spanning 35 years, 69 episodes, and two major television networks. Starring Peter Falk in his four-time Emmy-winning role, the show completely upended standard detective tropes with its signature “inverted detective story” structure.
The following guide breaks down the core characteristics of the series, followed by a comprehensive, year-by-year chronological timeline of its production and broadcasting history.
Detailed Description of the Series
The Inverted “Whodunit” (The Howcatchem)
Unlike standard mystery shows where the audience tries to guess the killer, Columbo is an inverted detective story. Every episode begins by showing the audience exactly who the murderer is, their motive, and the elaborate steps they take to craft an “airtight” alibi. The true tension and entertainment lie in the psychological cat-and-mouse game between the killer and Lieutenant Columbo, watching him slowly pick apart their flawless crime.
The Character of Lieutenant Columbo
- The Appearance: Columbo is famously dishevelled. He wears a rumpled, beige raincoat over a wrinkled suit, drives a battered 1959 Peugeot 403 convertible, and frequently chomps on a half-burned cigar.
- The Tactics: He acts incredibly humble, forgetful, and easily distracted. This is a deliberate ploy to make the high-society killers underestimate him, causing them to let their guard down and talk too much.
- The Catchphrase: Just as a suspect believes Columbo is leaving and they have gotten away with murder, he stops, turns around, scratches his head, and delivers his iconic phrase: “Just one more thing…”
- Personal Quirks: He works for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), never carries a gun, loves chili with crackers, owns an incredibly lazy basset hound simply named “Dog”, and constantly references his unseen wife, Mrs. Columbo.
Detailed Production & Broadcast Timeline
The history of Columbo spans across two distinct network eras: the NBC Era (the original 1970s run) and the ABC Era (the late 1980s revival through to the final specials).
Pre-Falk Origins (1960 – 1962)
- 1960: Writers Richard Levinson and William Link introduce the character of “Lieutenant Columbo” in an episode of the anthology series The Chevy Mystery Show titled “Enough Rope”, played by actor Bert Freed.
- 1962: The writers adapt the story into a stage play named Prescription: Murder, where Columbo is portrayed by Oscar-winner Thomas Mitchell.
The NBC Series Era (1971 – 1978)
During this run, Columbo does not air weekly. Instead, it serves as a rotating program on The NBC Mystery Movie alongside shows like McCloud and McMillan & Wife.
- 1971: Season 1 begins. The official premiere episode, “Murder by the Book”, is directed by a young, pre-fame Steven Spielberg.
- 1972: Season 1 concludes, and Season 2 premieres in September. This season includes classics like “Etude in Black”.
- 1973: Season 2 ends, and Season 3 launches, introducing “Any Old Port in a Storm”, which features Donald Pleasence and is widely considered one of the best episodes of the series.
- 1974: Season 3 wraps up, and Season 4 premieres. It features Johnny Cash in “Swan Song” and Dick Van Dyke in “Negative Reaction”.
- 1975: Season 4 concludes, and Season 5 debuts in the autumn, featuring the episode “Forgotten Lady”.
- 1976: Season 5 ends. Season 6 premieres in October with a shortened, three-episode order as Peter Falk begins negotiating fiercely over his contract and salary.
- 1977: Season 6 wraps up. Season 7 launches in November, highlighting the fan-favourite episode “Try and Catch Me” starring Ruth Gordon.
- 1978: The final NBC episode, “The Conspirators”, airs in May. Burnt out by the rigorous schedule and wanting to pursue feature films, Peter Falk walks away from the character, ending the original run.
The Hiatus & Spin-Off (1979 – 1988)
- 1979: NBC attempts to keep the brand alive without Falk by launching a spin-off series, Mrs. Columbo, starring Kate Mulgrew. It is heavily rejected by fans and swiftly cancelled.
- 1980–1988: Columbo remains entirely dark for nearly a decade.
The ABC Revival Era (1989 – 2003)
ABC successfully strikes a deal with Peter Falk to bring the detective back for a series of premium, two-hour television movies.
- 1989: After an 11-year absence, Columbo returns to television with Season 8. Later that year, Season 9 launches.
- 1990: Season 9 concludes in May. ABC abandons the rigid, seasonal formatting, shifting the series into occasional, high-budget “TV Specials”. Season 10 officially begins with “Columbo Goes to College” in December.
- 1991: Three major movie specials are broadcast: “Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health”, “Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star”, and “Death Hits the Jackpot”.
- 1992: Two movie specials air: “No Time to Die” (a rare episode where Columbo solves a kidnapping rather than a murder) and “A Bird in the Hand…”.
- 1993: Only one special is produced and broadcast this year: “It’s All in the Game”, written by Peter Falk himself.
- 1994: Two movie specials air: “Butterfly in Shades of Grey” (featuring William Shatner’s second appearance as a Columbo villain) and “Undercover”.
- 1995: A single movie special is broadcast: “Strange Bedfellows”, co-starring George Wendt.
- 1997: Following a brief hiatus, “A Trace of Murder” airs to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
- 1998: The movie special “Ashes to Ashes” is broadcast, featuring Patrick McGoohan, who also directed several episodes of the series.
- 2001: “Murder With Too Many Notes” airs after a multi-year delay in production.
- 2003: The 69th and final episode, “Columbo Likes the Nightlife”, airs on 30 January. This concludes the historic run of the franchise, as Peter Falk formally retires from playing the character before his passing in 2011.
Columbo Overview and Detailed Timeline by year
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