The essential episodes of Columbo
Watch these 10 in order and you've got Columbo — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Columbo's first mystery pits him against a cheating doctor out to get rid of his wife in favor of his young, pretty actress girlfriend.
- 02
A wealthy art collector is murdered, and all signs point to a robbery gone wrong. But the nephew's alibi is a little too convenient, and Columbo pulls a fast one to ferret out the killer.
- 03
In London, a respected Shakespearean acting duo cover up the unintended killing of their producer.
- 04
A chess player murders his opponent before a big match. Lt. Columbo must out-maneuver this crafty, but craven, killer.
- 05
A stage illusionist kills his employer and makes it look like a contract killing; it's up to Lt. Columbo to trick the master trickster.
- 06
Food critic Paul Gerard, who has been extorting money from restaurant owners in exchange for good reviews, murders one when threatened with exposure.
- 07
Columbo investigates the apparent drowning of a famous painter's first wife.
- 08
When Dian Hunter, the publisher of the men's magazine "Bachelor's World", wants to sell her stock to a media tycoon, her adulterous partner Sean Brantley objects. Soon afterwards, Miss Hunter apparently disappears on a London-bound flight.
- 09
Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star
Columbo is pitted against an equally brilliant, nationally recognized criminal defence lawyer who murders his rock star girlfriend when he discovers she is seeing another man.
- 10
Columbo gets a taste of the Los Angeles rave scene as he investigates the apparent suicide of a tabloid reporter.
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He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
