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Weirding Way Media

Podcasters Chris Stachiw (The Kulturecast) and Mike White (The Projection Booth) look at the enduring character of Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) and his creators.

The Shabby Detective: Yet Another Columbo Podcast

Between Columbo's Seasons 4 and 5, we're shifting our detective lens to explore another powerful creation by Richard Levinson and William Link: The Execution of Private Slovik (1974). Directed by Lamont Johnson and featuring an unforgettable performance by Martin Sheen, this adaptation of William Bradford Huie's work tells the harrowing true story of Eddie Slovik—a small-time Michigan criminal who made history as the only U.S. soldier executed for desertion during World War II.

The Execution of Private Slovik (1974)

In this episode of The Shabby Detective, we examine the riveting 1974 TV movie The Gun, a gripping exploration of fate and consequence. Crafted by the legendary writing duo Richard Levinson and William Link and directed by John Badham, the film follows the journey of a single handgun as it passes through various lives, leaving a trail of drama and intrigue. Join us as we unpack the film’s unique episodic structure and the creative forces behind this powerful cautionary tale.

The Gun (1974)

Step onto the faded red carpet and into the world of aging Hollywood glamour as The Shabby Detective takes on "Forgotten Lady", one of Columbo's most poignant mysteries. In this episode, we unravel the tragic tale of fading movie star Grace Wheeler (Janet Leigh), who dreams of a comeback but finds herself tangled in a web of murder and memory.

With Peter Falk’s rumpled lieutenant navigating a case where sympathy and suspicion go hand in hand, we dissect the episode’s emotional depth, the heartbreaking performance of Sam Jaffe, and the delicate balance of justice and mercy. Plus, we take a closer look at Columbo’s softer side—does the good lieutenant let sentiment cloud his sharp detective instincts?

Forgotten Lady

In this episode of The Shabby Detective, Mike and Chris take a diplomatic detour into A Case of Immunity, where political protocol, palace intrigue, and murder collide. Columbo finds himself navigating foreign immunity laws and velvet robes as he tries to outwit a slippery embassy official (Héctor Elizondo) with a taste for treason. The guys break down the episode's unique tone, the curious case of Sal Mineo, and the appearance of Jeff Goldblum.

A Case of Immunity

Mike and Chris slip into the shadows with Identity Crisis, Columbo’s espionage-laced foray into cloak-and-dagger territory. Directed by none other than Patrick McGoohan—who also stars as a smug, sartorially superior spy—this episode finds the Lieutenant matching wits with a killer who’s as cool as he is cold-blooded. The guys dive into the episode’s slick style, surreal touches, and McGoohan’s unmistakable fingerprints all over the production. Is this Columbo at its most cerebral—or just a secret agent detour too far? Join the investigation and find out.

Identity Crisis

Mike and Chris head south of the border for A Matter of Honor, the rare Columbo episode set in Mexico, where the Lieutenant faces bulls, bravado, and a different kind of justice. Ricardo Montalbán plays a retired matador with a secret—and a motive—and Columbo has to navigate a new culture and language barrier while staying one step ahead. The guys dig into the episode’s unique setting, the ethics of honor killings, and how the show handles cultural sensitivity (or doesn’t). Is this an underrated gem or a misstep in a sombrero?

A Matter of Honor

Chris Stachiw and Mike White bring you the first episode of The Shabby Detective: Yet Another Columbo Podcast where we talk about the origins of the Columbo character by way of Josef Von Sternberg's Crime & Punishment (1935). The film stars Peter Lorre as a criminal who thinks he knows better while Edward Arnold plays Inspector Porfiry Petrovich, a clear precursor to Columbo's patented tactics. 

This episode features an interview with David Koenig, author of Shooting Columbo: The Lives and Deaths of TV's Rumpled Detective.

Columbo's Origin: Crime & Punishment

Before Peter Falk put on his rain coat, Bert Freed smoked Columbo's cigar on the Chevy Mystery Show episode "Enough Rope." Chris Stachiw and Mike White discuss that as well as "Prescription: Murder", the TV movie from 1969 wherein Falk made his official debut as the shabby detective.

Enough Rope & Prescription: Murder

Not quite a pilot and not quite a first episode, this is another TV movie version of Columbo. This time our detective has gotten quite shabby, murderess Leslie Williams (Lee Grant) even calls him that. She's murdered her husband and sets it up to look like he's being ransomed in order to empty all of his accounts. Too bad for her, she's got a snoopy step daughter (Patricia Mattick) and Lt. Columbo on her case. 

This episode features an interview with the one-and-only Lee Grant who discusses working with Peter Falk on The Balcony, Ransom for a Dead Man, and Prisoner of Second Avenue.

Ransom for a Dead Man

On the first proper episode of the first proper season of Columbo the writing team of Ferris (Martin Milner) and Franklin (Jack Cassidy) have a little breakup when Franklin murders his partner. While the two may have created the famous Mrs. Melville character, Franklin is no match for Lt. Columbo. 

Murder by the Book was written by Stephen Bochco and directed by Steven Spielberg. This episode of The Shabby Detective features an interview with Joseph McBride, author of Steven Spielberg: A Biography.

Murder by the Book

Season 4 continues with "Playback," an episode starring another Cassavetes alum, Gina Rowlands. Unfortunately, she's sidelined as a innocent bystander and wife to the episode's murderer, played by Oskar Werner. He's a fan of gizmos which aid his plan to murder his mother-in-law but, of course, they're ultimately his undoing.

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