Columbo

About

Columbo is a renowned American crime drama television series that originally aired from 1971 to 1978 and later from 1989 to 2003. The show revolves around Lieutenant Columbo, a shrewd and observant homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, played by Peter Falk. Columbo's distinctive appearance includes a rumpled beige raincoat, a cigar, and an old Peugeot 403 car. His unassuming demeanor and persistent nature often lead suspects to underestimate him, but he is a master of gathering incriminating evidence. The series pioneered the "inverted mystery" format, where the crime is shown at the beginning, and the plot focuses on how Columbo solves it. Each episode typically features affluent suspects who are initially dismissive of Columbo's methods but eventually become unsettled as he closes in on them. The show explores themes of class conflict and intelligence, often pitting Columbo's working-class wit against the sophisticated crimes of high society. With its timeless appeal, Columbo remains a beloved and iconic detective series worldwide.