Tom Holmberg

Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective David Koenig ISBN: 9781937878122 Columbo was arguably the most popular and most unique television mystery series ever—even though, within two minutes of the titles, the audience already knew the murderer’s identity. The show captivated tens of millions of viewers for 69 adventures produced over 35 years. Yet if star Peter Falk had gotten his way, it would have run far longer. Columbo was never formally canceled, just subtly killed off. Twice. Who was to blame? The temperamental lead who would rather work in movies? The budget-conscious studio, exhausted with the star’s demands? Or was it the meddling television studios, searching for a younger, hipper replacement? Discover the solution in Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV’s Rumpled Detective. Author David Koenig takes you behind the scenes to witness the creation and making of every case, from the pilot Prescription: Murder (and its earlier incarnations on The Chevy Mystery Show and on stage) to the final special, Columbo Likes the Nightlife. You’ll discover the origins of the Lieutenant’s unseen wife, the lethargic Dog, the wrinkled raincoat, the wheezing 1959 Peugeot, and “Just one more thing....” The narrative draws on scores of exclusive interviews with the show’s writers, producers, directors and other creative personnel, as well as previously unpublished studio records, including scripts, memos, production reports, casting sheets, and business diaries. They will transport you to the harried story conferences, the heated confrontations, and take... after take... after take... of filming. The “shooting” of Columbo was filled with backstage intrigue and larger-than-life personalities who, through it all, created unforgettable classic television.

And his polo ponies? I can really sympathize with him and his wife about them. :)

I like the ones with a clock as if it will really run down (I think the fake "gold" coins have one). Also the ones where supposedly production (in China? Really?) has stopped.

They also say free shipping. I also bugs me that some of the products are sold for a three week (or some period of time) trial for X dollars, but they never say what the actual final price is. That's a scam if I ever saw one.

Ads that bother me, such as the TuboHeat machine, is where they offer a second device "for free, just pay a separate fee." Don't they know the meaning of the word free?

R.I.P. David Lynch, "Twin Peaks" director https://variety.com/2025/film/news/david-lynch-dead-director-blue-velvet-twin-peaks-1236276106/

R.I.P. Bob Uecker, "Mr. Belvidere" star and baseball announcer https://www.mlb.com/news/bob-uecker-notable-cultural-moments

The only person at MSNBC who really seems to work is Velshi.

Moved to France.

TCM will be be showing "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" twice, two days apart, on Jan 11 and Jan 13. Have you ever seen this happen before?

And maybe even read the book. The movie follows the book fairly closely.

"Seventh Victim" , a good Val Lewton flick, is on today. Sort of a precursor to "Rosemary's Baby" without a baby. Kim Hunter makes her film debut.

A Dr Loveless episode tomorrow Jan 4: Night Of The Surreal Mccoy Loveless invents a way to go into paintings.

You left off "Scrooged"

Yes. In our home it was "number one" and "number two".