Definitely one of my least favourite episodes of the 1970s run that I’ve recently got through. Firstly, what was he thinking trying to befriend (or even woo) her? Secondly, what was she thinking, not running a mile when he came knocking at her door?!
If Colombo’s interrogation had been real, she probably would have had a miscarriage on the spot. 
He was trying to seduce her by being swavey and deboner. 
He was obviously hoping she’d quit talking to the cops once she was putty in his hands. Then he’d have the option of carrying on the affair or arranging an “accident” and ditching her body at sea.
I think the latter was heavily implied when she said toward the end “Oh, he’s taking me out on his boat tomorrow morning,” or words to that effect.
I dunno what her mindset was, but I fer sure would freak out if someone I just saw commit a murder showed up at my front door!
I have an RCA flatscreen that’s about ten years old. It’s hooked up to a digital cable service. Since I live in a basement apartment, I think it’d be pointless to try getting signals with an antenna.
I remember when Canada switched to digital back in 2009. Analogue sets could still work (I think you needed some kind of adapter), but the streets were littered with perfectly good ones that were put out for the trash man to collect.
When I was living in Moscow, I bought a tunable Radioshack TV antenna to bring home with while on a visit to the US. I hooked it up to the analogue set I had at the time (a Grundig, I think), but I still couldn’t get any signals coming through the air.
Did you notice Grant’s complete lack of reaction while she was listening to them argue over the bogus keys?
In her shoes, I would have been going “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! I forgot about the goddamned keys! I still have them, and they’re incriminating! Why the hell didn’t I get rid of them after the murder? If they do find them, my ass is grass!”
This of course begs the question: After reprimanding Margaret for fabricating evidence, why didn’t Columbo turn to Grant (who was standing nearby listening to the whole exchange) and say “Oh, one more thing: Would you mind, ma’am, if we have a look at your keys, so long as we’re all here?”
“Get a warrant.”
COLUMBO: “Of course, ma’am. No problem there. Margaret, would you mind keeping an eye on your stepmother while I get one?”
The thing that struck me about Columbo was it seemed to be one of the first crime shows where you knew who the perp was within the first few minutes - there was no ‘Charlie Chan’ reveal moment. You couldn’t try to solve along with the protagonist, you just had to watch his explorations.
Judge: “You want a warrant why? This bogus evidence by a civilian acting as an agent of the police shocks the conscience. Not only am I not granting the warrant, I suspect the trial judge will throw out all the evidence obtained as a result of the police misconduct. There may even be legal repercussions for the police. have a nice day!”
Yeah, that would be a real downer.
There was one episode, Farewell to the Commodore I think it was called, where the viewer didn’t know, and funnily enough it is one of the most poorly received episodes.
I’m always startled to see the amount of air pollution obscuring the L.A. skyline in those pre- catalytic converter days.
That key business and the entire accompanying pantomime is so confusing, I just ignore it.
If they had actually gone after them, the episode could have been cut in half. So it was just filler—which could be either good or bad writing, depending on your point of view.
the whole ep is just weird.
Suzanne Pleshette’s mom is only 41 but looks a lot older and says ‘her husband has been gone 30 years’. So looks and character match up. Suzanne, her character and age match up as does Eddie Albert. But he’s 33 years older then her!
A guy 33 years older shows up, says you’re accusing him of murder, says ‘watch the news tonight’. Then shows up at work and asks if you watched the news* and asks you out on a date. And your mom, who would be a much better match, eggs you on to date this guy.
*And the news did nothing to exculpate him of the murder!
Its still entertaining but easily the worst one to date.
“Last Salute to the Commodore,” and technically, the viewer thinks they know who did it, but the “killer” they see at the start is themselves killed halfway through, which is where the whodunnit thing comes from.
I think the basic gimmick was sound (they repeated it in a more traditional way in one of the ABC movies), and that it could’ve been better remembered with a better ending/solution.
It’s also on Peacock. I’m not sure if you need the premium subscription or if it’s available on their free service.
Yes, it’s amazing what people put up with. Back in the 70s (and likely other decades), there’d be a couple of weeks in January in which prevailing winds would blow away the smog and it was possible to see that L.A. was surrounded by mountains. But the rest of the year, one had no idea.
Of course movie and TV production couldn’t all take place during those two weeks–so film made back then does show a lot of whitish/yellowish skies. 
The next ep perfectly illustrates the modern ‘death of the character actor’. Especially ones that look like your neighbor.
In an episode where Peter Falk is the best looking actor…
We’ve got:
Ross Martin
Kim Hunter
Vic Tayback
Mary Wickes
uhhh…that nosy neighbor from Bewitched…
In his prime Don Ameche of course put everyone to shame.
Not only do they look like your neighbor, they do WONDERFUL, unique eccentric character work.