Episodes

4d ago

Episode 5 of the Cosy Crime Classics Podcast takes us to San Remo, AZ as we meet Tony Petrocelli and his team in Edge of Evil, from Season 1 of Petrocelli. In this episode, Gerry and Iain broadcast from around a corner. This week, we meet Anthony J. Petrocelli and his wife Maggie as they […]

Dec 12

Episode 4 of the Cosy Crime Classics Podcast returns to California as we weave intricate patterns in Counter Gambit, from Season 1 of The Rockford Files. In this episode, Gerry and Iain try to work out who knew what and when. This week, we catch up with Jim Rockford as he’s summoned to a meeting […]

Dec 5

Episode 3 of the Cosy Crime Classics Podcast heads to California as we buckle up for The Big Ripoff, from Season 1 of The Rockford Files. In this episode, Gerry and Iain enjoy 1970s airport security. This week, we meet Jim Rockford as he tries first to track down information on the death of a […]

Nov 28

Episode 2 of the Cosy Crime Classics Podcast returns to Cabot Cove as we settle in to enjoy Murder Takes the Bus, from Season 1 of Murder, She Wrote. In this episode, Gerry and Iain are paroled on a very tight schedule. This week, we return to Jessica Fletcher as she and Amos take a […]

Nov 21

Episode 1 of the Cosy Crime Classics Podcast visits Cabot Cove as we settle in to enjoy Hit, Run & Homicide, from Season 1 of Murder, She Wrote. In this episode, Gerry and Iain are controlled remotely. This week, we pay our first visit to Jessica Fletcher and the people of Cabot Cove as we […]

Oct 10

This special update episode seeks input from our listeners ahead of the launch of our new format. We need help choosing a theme song and two new shows to review. In this episode, Gerry and Iain share the candidates and ask for your votes! If you have thoughts on the Columbo Podcast please share them below, […]

Sep 24

The twenty-second episode of Poker Face was titled The End of the Road and was the final episode of the show’s second season. Charlie tries to get Alex to Beatrix Hasp before the Iguana gets to Alex. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the paving on the road to hell. This week, Charlie […]

Sep 17

The twenty-first episode of Poker Face was titled The Day of the Iguana and was the eleventh episode of the show’s second season. Charlie and Alex cater an exclusive wedding as a professional hitman targets the groom. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at balloon animals. This week, a hitman kills and impersonates Todd […]

Sep 10

The twentieth episode of Poker Face was titled The Big Pump and was the tenth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie joins a gym and tries to avoid getting involved in other people’s business. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at gym etiquette. This week, Charlie makes friends with Alex (Patti Harrison), who […]

Sep 3

The nineteenth episode of Poker Face was titled A New Lease on Death and was the ninth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie finds a spot to settle in for a time and gets to know her new neighbours. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at rent controls. This week, Charlie moves into […]

Aug 27

The eighteenth episode of Poker Face was titled The Sleazy Georgian and was the eighth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie joins a gang of con artists as they prepare for a massive payday. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at schadenfreude. This week, Charlie finds herself in cahoots with a gang of […]

Aug 20

The seventeenth episode of Poker Face was titled One Last Job and was the seventh episode of the show’s second season. Charlie makes a connection as a movie buff lives out his own screenplay. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Christmas cheer. This week, Charlie makes a love connection with store manager Bill […]

Aug 13

The sixteenth episode of Poker Face was titled Sloppy Joseph and was the sixth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie is working as a lunchlady at a private school and crosses swords with an ambitious child. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at psychological reslilience. This week, Charlie is working as a dinner […]

Aug 6

The fifteenth episode of Poker Face was titled Hometown Hero and was the fifth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie gets a job at a minor league baseball team and stumbles onto a match fixing scandal. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at America’s game. This week, Charlie finds herself employed at a […]

Jul 30

The fourteenth episode of Poker Face was titled The Taste of Human Blood and was the fourth episode of the show’s second season. Charlie joins a group of extremist animal welfare campaigners and tries to steal a gator from a celebrity cop. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at ColumboTok. This week, Charlie is […]

Jul 23

The thirteenth episode of Poker Face was titled Whack-a-Mole and was the third episode of the show’s second season. Charlie comes face-to-face with Beatrix Hasp and her dispute with the mob reaches a climax. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at pursuit. This week, Charlie is taken hostage by Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman) and […]

Jul 16

The twelfth episode of Poker Face was titled Last Looks and was the second episode of the show’s second season. Charlie spends time on a film set and meets a man with a macabre line of mementos. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at death. This week, Charlie takes up work as an extra […]

Jul 9

The eleventh episode of Poker Face was titled The Game is a Foot and was the first episode of the show’s second season. Charlie’ encounters a group of sisters with a lot in common. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at sibling rivalry. This week, Charlie, still under pursuit by the five families, befriends […]

May 21

The nineteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Tricks of the Trade: Part 2 and was the final episode of the show’s first season. Sarah and Billy hunt for crucial exonerating evidence, while Olympia follows the money all the way to the bank. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider cliffhangers. Sarah’s first court appearance […]

May 14

The eighteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Tricks of the Trade: Part 1 and was the eighteenth episode of the show’s first season. Sarah’s pro bono work hits a major snag, causing problems for her and Billy, while Olympia tries to work out whether Madeline’s claims hold weight. In this podcast Gerry and Iain […]

May 7

The seventeenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled I Was That, Too and was the seventeenth episode of the show’s first season. Olympia exposes the hurt Madeline’s schemes have caused while a pregnant woman seeks an urgent decoupling. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider faith, of the heart. Olympia locks Madeline in a room […]

Apr 30

The sixteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled The Johnson Case and was the sixteenth episode of the show’s first season. Olympia tries to help a juror unburden herself of guilt she’s carried for twenty years, while Madeline gets personal with the Redditor. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the point of no return. […]

Apr 23

The fifteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Game Face and was the fifteenth episode of the show’s first season. Madeline upsets Bitsy in court as the Slamm’d litigtion hurtles towards a conclusion. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider animal mascots. The Slamm’d case reaches a head with evidence from Lydia Reed (Marley Shelton) […]

Apr 16

The fourteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Game Day and was the fourteenth episode of the show’s first season. The Slamm’d case gets underway as Olympia excludes Shae. Madeline receives some home truths from her little sister. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider hidden depths. Olympia’s class action against the makers of alcoholic […]

Apr 9

The thirteenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Pregame and was the thirteenth episode of the show’s first season. A sorority stunt goes badly wrong, threatening Olympia’s class action, while Billy enjoys getting to know Simone a little better. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider attitudes to alcohol. Olympia’s class action against the makers […]

Apr 2

The twelfth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled This is That Moment and was the twelfth episode of the show’s first season. Julian and Olympia square off over a custody battle while Billy and Sarah’s troubles are exacerbated by the arrival of an old rival. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider character. After Julian […]

Mar 26

The eleventh episode of Matlock (2024) was titled A Traitor in Thine Own House and was the eleventh episode of the show’s first season. Sarah and Shae look to expose Madeline, while Olympia gets on Senior’s good side by helping an old friend win a case. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider well-executed plans. […]

Mar 19

The tenth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Crash Helmets On and was the tenth episode of the show’s first season. Madeline inserts herself in Olympia and Julian’s divorce while Sarah suffers a severe disappointment. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider loyalty. As Olympia looks to win the race for a partnership against Julian, […]

Mar 12

The ninth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Friends and was the ninth episode of the show’s first season. Olympia and Madeline get closer and work to help Elijah’s cousin escape a criminal charge, as Edwin’s concerns for his wife’s objectivity grow. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider blind faith. Olympia helps out Elijah’s […]

Mar 5

The eighth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled No, No Monsters and was the eighth episode of the show’s first season. Olympia helps a nanny refute allegations of abuse while the other school moms circle accusingly, as Madeline lets Alfie down. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider surveillance. Olympia gets caught up in the […]

Feb 26

The seventh episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Belly of the Beast and was the seventh episode of the show’s first season. Drama surrounds the Jacobson Moore office Christmas party as Madeline gets her first shot at a Wellbrexa case. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider moral thresholds. Madeline finally gets a chance to […]

Feb 19

The sixth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Sixteen Steps and was the sixth episode of the show’s first season. Julian and Olympia revisit an old case and find themselves drawn back to one another, as Madeline’s grief is brought to the surface. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider office romance. Julian and Olympia […]

Feb 12

The fifth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Claws and was the fifth episode of the show’s first season. Madeline’s experience with addiction plays an important role as Olympia’s star witness suffers a relapse. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider compensation. Madeline’s quest leads to difficulties with her colleagues as she draws on personal […]

Feb 5

The fourth episode of Matlock (2024) was titled The Rabbit and the Hawk and was the fourth episode of the show’s first season. When the Jacobson Moore team represents both sides of a compensation claim, Madeline discovers just how low they’re willing to sink. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider moral victories. While Madeline […]

Jan 29

The third episode of Matlock (2024) was titled A Guy Named Greg and was the third episode of the show’s first season. A wrongful termination claim gives Madeline pause for thought and her efforts to find the malefactor at Jacobson Moore continue. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider whether the justice system has gone […]

Jan 22

The second episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Rome, in a Day and was the second episode of the show’s first season. Madeline continues with her plan to expose wrongdoing at Jacobson Moore and helps defend a boy accused of murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain take the evidence at face value. Matlock continues […]

Jan 15

The first episode of Matlock (2024) was titled Pilot and was the first episode of the show’s first season. Madeline persuades the firm of Jacobson Moore to hire her and helps with a claim for wrongful imprisonment. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at your references. We’re introduced in this initial episode to Kathy […]

Dec 2, 2024

This special update episode marks ten years since we published Episode One of the Columbo Podcast - Murder by the Book. In this episode, Gerry and Iain look back on ten years of podcasting together and announce their plans for the Columbo Podcast in 2025.

Oct 25, 2023

The tenth episode of Poker Face was titled The Hook and was the tenth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie’s time on the run appears to be at an end as she’s made a new proposal. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at family ties. This week, Charlie is located and acquired by […]

Oct 18, 2023

The ninth episode of Poker Face was titled Escape From Sh*t Mountain and was the ninth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie finds herself in a creepy motel, out of contact with the outside world, as threats become clear. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at dysfunctional friendships. This week, we find Charlie […]

Oct 11, 2023

The eighth episode of Poker Face was titled The Orpheus Syndrome and was the eighth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie befriends a special effects artist whose former colleague is prepared to kill to protect a thirty-year-old secret. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the powerful burden of guilt. This week, we […]

Oct 4, 2023

The seventh episode of Poker Face was titled The Future of the Sport and was the seventh episode of the show’s first season. Charlie helps a racing driver discover who sabotaged his car, but all is not as it seems. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at whether revenge is best served cold. This […]

Sep 27, 2023

The sixth episode of Poker Face was titled Exit Stage Death and was the sixth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie thinks she has a handle on a shocking death in the theatre before a fittingly dramatic twist baffles her. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the lengths people go to for […]

Sep 20, 2023

The fifth episode of Poker Face was titled Time of the Monkey and was the fifth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie befriends two fascinating women in a retirement village before learning about their past crimes. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at whether there are any limits to legitimate protest. This week, […]

Sep 13, 2023

The fourth episode of Poker Face was titled Rest in Metal and was the fourth episode of the show’s first season. Charlie takes a job as a merch girl on a heavy metal tour, but gets a shock when the band’s drummer dies on stage. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at destructive potential of jealousy. […]

Sep 6, 2023

The third episode of Poker Face was titled The Stall and was the third episode of the show’s first season. Charlie acquires a dog then finds work at a BBQ joint in Texas before her employer dies in unusual circumstances. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the dangers of veganism. This week, Charlie travels with […]

Aug 30, 2023

The second episode of Poker Face was titled The Night Shift and was the second episode of the show’s first season. Charlie befriends a trucker then tries to clear her new friend’s name after a murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at what happens when someone has a compulsion to act against their own interests. […]

Aug 23, 2023

The first episode of Poker Face was titled Dead Man’s Hand and was the premiere episode of the show’s first season. We meet Charlie Cale, learn about her special skill and see the start of a new chapter in her life. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider aptitude and its application for maximum benefit. Cale is played […]

Apr 12, 2019

This mini episode contains an excruciating outtake from the recording of the podcast for Season Ten’s Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health. Plus a little heads up for Gerry and Iain’s next big project. Also, we’re now on Spotify, so add us to your playlists! If you have thoughts on the Columbo Podcast […]

Apr 14, 2017

Episode seventy one of the Columbo Podcast is a quick update and look forward for the show. In this podcast Gerry and Iain catch listeners up on what they’ve been doing lately, what their plans for the Columbo Podcast are and on their other upcoming shows. You can find the new shows in the following locations: […]

Mar 31, 2016

Episode seventy of the Columbo Podcast looks back on the series, its highs and lows, triumphs and disasters. In this podcast Gerry and Iain revisit episode one, answer questions submitted by the listeners and cast their eyes forward to future endeavours. Amongst the mysteries tackled in this episode are: Has Iain learned anything […]

Mar 24, 2016

The sixty seventh episode of Columbo was titled Columbo Likes the Nightlife and was the final episode of the show’s final season. Columbo pursues a nightclub owner and sitcom actress when one man dies and another disappears. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the last ever episode of Columbo. Welsh actor Matthew Rhys had the honour of […]

Mar 17, 2016

The sixty sixth episode of Columbo was titled Murder with Too Many Notes and was the fourth episode of the show’s final season. Columbo calls the tune as a legendary film composer tries to lead him on a merry dance. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the show’s third and final Scottish killer. Legendary Scottish comedian […]

Mar 10, 2016

The sixty fifth episode of Columbo was titled Ashes to Ashes and was the third episode of the show’s final season. Columbo goes head-to-head with a celebrity undertaker. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the final appearance of a much-loved performer. In his final on-screen role, Columbo veteran Patrick McGoohan makes his fourth appearance in the […]

Mar 3, 2016

The sixty fourth episode of Columbo was titled A Trace of Murder and was the second episode of the show’s final season. Columbo is forced to look close to home for a suspect. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a temperamental double act. Star of Sledge Hammer!, David Rasche, teams up with Shera Danese – […]

Feb 25, 2016

The sixty third episode of Columbo was titled Strange Bedfellows and was the first episode of the show’s final season. Columbo enlists unconventional assistance to pin down a double murderer. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a killer with no flair for disguises. George Wendt, of Cheers fame, features as fratricidal killer Graham McVeigh. Having inherited […]

Feb 18, 2016

The sixty second episode of Columbo was titled Undercover and was the final episode of the show’s twelfth season. Columbo adopts an alternative identity to infiltrate a criminal conspiracy. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a break from the traditional format. After a minor role in Season 7’s How to Dial a Murder, Ed Begley Jr. returns as […]

Feb 11, 2016

The sixty first episode of Columbo was titled Butterfly in Shades of Grey and was the second episode of the show’s twelfth season. A bombastic radio presenter reacts violently to the prospect of his daughter leaving town. In this podcast Gerry and Iain remark on a couple of returning faces. William Shatner makes a welcome return to the show […]

Feb 4, 2016

The sixtieth episode of Columbo was titled It’s All in the Game and was the first episode of the show’s twelfth season. Columbo faces a unique distraction as a killer uses her femininity to take his eye off the ball. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an imperfect seduction. Lauren Staton (Faye Dunaway) and her daughter […]

Jan 28, 2016

The fifty ninth episode of Columbo was titled A Bird in the Hand… and was the final episode of the show’s eleventh season. Columbo has a choice of killers as a family implodes. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an episode with a critical and surprising twist. Harold McCain (Greg Evigan) spends his time chasing gambling debts […]

Jan 21, 2016

The fifty eighth episode of Columbo was titled No Time to Die and was the second episode of the show’s eleventh season. A family wedding becomes a manhunt as the bride goes missing. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a major departure from Columbo‘s usual format. It is a day (and night) of celebration as Columbo’s orphan nephew, […]

Jan 14, 2016

The fifty seventh episode of Columbo was titled Death Hits the Jackpot and was the first episode of the show’s eleventh season. Greed oozes from every pore as a lottery winner is killed for his prize. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an altogether unpleasant group of people. In the midst of a divorce from his wife […]

Jan 7, 2016

The fifty sixth episode of Columbo was titled Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star and was the final episode of the show’s short tenth season. Blackmail once again proves unwise as a peerless defence lawyer murders his rock star lover. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a tricky case with some unusual clues. Hugh Creighton […]

Dec 31, 2015

The fifty fifth episode of Columbo was titled Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health and was the second episode of the show’s tenth season. A television presenter’s career is threatened by blackmail and he resorts to murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a returning killer and some nifty video editing. Wade Anders (George Hamilton) […]

Dec 24, 2015

The fifty fourth episode of Columbo was titled Columbo Goes to College and was the first episode of the show’s tenth season. A pair of privileged college students kill their professor to avoid punishment for cheating on an exam. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a particularly arrogant couple of killers and the welcome return of a much-loved face. […]

Dec 17, 2015

The fifty third episode of Columbo was titled Murder in Malibu and was the sixth and final episode of the show’s ninth season. A successful author first agrees to marry her young partner, then appears to withdraw that agreement. In response he resorts to murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an unusually weak motive and an uninspiring […]

Dec 10, 2015

The fifty second episode of Columbo was titled Uneasy Lies the Crown and was the fifth episode of the show’s ninth season. A dentist tries to preserve his cushy lifestyle by killing his wife’s lover and framing her for the killing. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the twisted motivations of a selfish murderer. The title of […]

Dec 3, 2015

The fifty first episode of Columbo was titled Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo and was the fourth episode of the show’s ninth season. Retribution is in the air as the widow of a man Columbo sent to jail seeks revenge on those she blames for his subsequent death. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a change in format […]

Nov 26, 2015

The fiftieth episode of Columbo was titled Agenda for Murder and was the third episode of the show’s ninth season. Political aspirations drive an ambitious lawyer to murder ahead of the California primary. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a returning guest star and developments in the work of a returning director. After two appearances in the original […]

Nov 19, 2015

The forty ninth episode of Columbo was titled Columbo Cries Wolf and was the second episode of the show’s ninth season. A publicity-hungry pair dupe Columbo, before their plans take a fatal twist. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the change in format and whether it helps or harms the episode. We are introduced to a pair […]

Nov 11, 2015

The forty eighth episode of Columbo was titled Murder, a Self Portrait and was the first episode of the show’s ninth season. A famous artist murders his ex-wife to protect a dark secret. In this podcast Gerry and Iain examine the killer’s motives and assess Columbo as an oneirocritic. There are once again echoes of episodes past here as we […]

Nov 5, 2015

The forty seventh episode of Columbo was titled Grand Deceptions and was the final episode of the show’s eighth season. A Colonel working at a conservative think tank kills to hide his financial indiscretions. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the case in detail and review the first season of Columbo’s revival. There’s a return to the […]

Oct 29, 2015

The forty sixth episode of Columbo was titled Sex and the Married Detective and was the third episode of the show’s eighth season. A sex therapist witnesses her partner engaging in an affair and kills him in revenge. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the subject and tone of this episode as well as the detail of the crime. […]

Oct 22, 2015

The forty fifth episode of Columbo was titled Murder, Smoke and Shadows and was the second episode of the show’s eighth season. A hotshot movie director kills his friend to protect a dreadful secret. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the highs and lows of this film lot investigation. The Columbo revival continues with a return to familiar […]

Oct 15, 2015

The forty fourth episode of Columbo was titled Columbo Goes to the Guillotine and was the first episode of the show’s eighth season and the first episode of its revival. A phony psychic conspires to win a government contract and kills for revenge along the way. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the start of Columbo’s revival and how this new episode […]

Oct 8, 2015

Before Columbo‘s 1971 pilot, audiences were introduced to Peter Falk as the iconic detective through 1968’s television movie Prescription: Murder. A psychiatrist uses a patient to help create an alibi for the murder of his wife. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Columbo’s beginnings and how well this story holds up against the subsequent series. […]

Oct 1, 2015

The forty third episode of Columbo was titled The Conspirators and was the final episode of the show’s seventh season and the last of the original run. An Irish entertainer kills when he believes he has been double-crossed in a weapons deal. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the end of Columbo’s original run and reflect on season […]

Sep 23, 2015

The forty second episode of Columbo was titled How to Dial a Murder and was the fourth episode of the show’s seventh season. A behavioural psychologist seeks revenge on his best friend for an affair with his wife, with the help of his well-trained dogs. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an episode that tests the boundaries of criminal responsibility. […]

Sep 17, 2015

The forty first episode of Columbo was titled Make Me a Perfect Murder and was the third episode of the show’s seventh season. A television executive seeks revenge after she is betrayed by her lover. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at an interesting episode with echoes of previous shows throughout. Studio executives Kay Freestone (Trish Van […]

Sep 10, 2015

The fortieth episode of Columbo was titled Murder Under Glass and was the second episode of the show’s seventh season. A famous food critic kills to keep his extortion of restaurant owners concealed. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a suave killer who isn’t prepared to come quietly. Determined not to be exposed for his illicit racket, taking […]

Sep 3, 2015

The thirty ninth episode of Columbo was titled Try and Catch Me and was the first episode of the show’s seventh season. A successful author seeks to avenge her niece’s murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a game of cat-and-mouse between a playful killer and the lieutenant. Season seven kicks off with a memorable contest […]

Aug 27, 2015

The thirty eighth episode of Columbo was titled The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case and was the final episode of the show’s short sixth season. On the brink of exposure for embezzlement, a genius uses his ability to plot the perfect murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a contest between two highly intelligent characters. Although not […]

Aug 20, 2015

The thirty seventh episode of Columbo was titled Old Fashioned Murder and was the second episode of the show’s sixth season. Faced with the loss of her life’s work, a museum curator turns on those closest to her. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the impact of an emotional story. There was a familiar face opposite Columbo […]

Aug 13, 2015

The thirty sixth episode of Columbo was titled Fade in to Murder and was the first episode of the show’s sixth season. A television star turns to murder under pressure of blackmail. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a fascinatingly layered story of a famous TV detective. A smaller cast was used in this episode, compared to […]

Aug 6, 2015

The thirty fifth episode of Columbo was titled Last Salute to the Commodore and was the highly controversial final episode of the show’s fifth season. An array of suspects are presented as the show departs from its usual format. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at what was changed and the extent to which it helped or harmed the […]

Jul 29, 2015

The thirty fourth episode of Columbo was titled Now You See Him and was the fifth episode of the show’s fifth season. A popular magician kills to conceal his darkest secret. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Columbo’s efforts to outsmart a master of illusion. Returning for the third and final time, Jack Cassidy is our killer […]

Jul 23, 2015

The thirty third episode of Columbo was titled A Matter of Honor and was the fourth episode of the show’s fifth season. An ageing matador kills a dear friend to conceal an uncomfortable truth. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a vacationing Columbo and his unofficial contribution to the investigation. As legendary matador Luis Montoya, Ricardo Montalban […]

Jul 16, 2015

The thirty second episode of Columbo was titled Identity Crisis and was the third episode of the show’s fifth season. A double agent kills a CIA operative in Columbo’s jurisdiction. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the way the lieutenant takes on a skilled opponent. Patrick McGoohan returned to Columbo after his debut in Season Four’s By Dawn’s Early […]

Jul 9, 2015

The thirty first episode of Columbo was titled A Case of Immunity and was the second episode of the show’s fifth season. Internal conflicts lead a diplomat to kill two colleagues while the US government pressures Columbo to drop the case. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the way Columbo builds his case and a dramatic resolution. […]

Jul 2, 2015

The thirtieth episode of Columbo was titled Forgotten Lady and was the first episode of the show’s fifth season. A one-time star of stage and screen kills her husband to fund a comeback. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the unusual circumstances that impede Columbo’s investigation and the unlikely resolution that follows. Holywood icon Janet Leigh […]

Jun 25, 2015

The pilot episode of Columbo was titled Ransom for a Dead Man and preceded the show’s first season. An ambitious wife disposes of her husband to take control of their assets. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the story of this pilot episode and its relationship to the series that followed. The original run of Columbo spanned […]

Jun 18, 2015

The twenty-ninth episode of Columbo was titled A Deadly State of Mind and was the final episode of the show’s fourth season. A psychologist gets close to a patient and kills first to protect her and next to protect himself. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the important evidence and Columbo’s unorthodox investigation. There was a familiar […]

Jun 11, 2015

The twenty-eighth episode of Columbo was titled Playback and was the fifth episode of the show’s fourth season. A disagreement between a man and his mother-in-law escalates dramatically as a murder is committed on camera. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look frame-by-frame at a story underpinned by new technology. Harold Van Wick (Oskar Werner) is the chief […]

Jun 4, 2015

The twenty-seventh episode of Columbo was titled Troubled Waters and was the fourth episode of the show’s fourth season. A cruise to Mexico is disrupted when a businessman kills his lover to escape her blackmail attempt. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the breaks and swells of a unique episode. This mystery takes place entirely on board a cruise […]

May 28, 2015

The twenty-sixth episode of Columbo was titled By Dawn’s Early Light and was the third episode of the show’s fourth season. A colonel looks to preserve the status of his military academy by rigging a cannon to take care of a perceived threat. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the setting, characters and circumstances that give Columbo a taste […]

May 21, 2015

The twenty-fifth episode of Columbo was titled Negative Reaction and was the second episode of the show’s fourth season. An emasculated husband goes to extreme lengths to escape a miserable marriage. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Columbo’s difficulties in ruling out a framed man and the errors that lead him to the true culprit. No introduction […]

May 14, 2015

The twenty-fourth episode of Columbo was titled An Exercise in Fatality and was the first episode of the show’s fourth season. A health and fitness entrepreneur kills to prevent his dodgy dealings being exposed. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the leads and deductions that leave Columbo convinced the death was no accident. The killer in An Exercise […]

May 7, 2015

The twenty-third episode of Columbo was titled A Friend in Deed and was the eighth and final episode of the show’s third season. A police commissioner takes advantage of leverage over a friend to murder his wealthy wife. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the schemes and slip-ups that faced Columbo in his investigation. The two murderers in […]

Apr 30, 2015

The twenty-second episode of Columbo was titled Swan Song and was the seventh episode of the show’s third season. A country music legend plans a plane crash to escape his wife’s cult. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the investigation to see whether Columbo can hit the right notes. The major guest star in this episode was […]

Apr 23, 2015

The twenty-first episode of Columbo was titled Mind over Mayhem and was the sixth episode of the show’s third season. A robotic accomplice clears the way for a genius to commit a brutal murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a battle of two great minds and analyse the crucial mistakes that set Columbo on the right track. […]

Apr 16, 2015

The twentieth episode of Columbo was titled Publish or Perish and was the fifth episode of the show’s third season. Self-incrimination, home-made explosives and literary rivalries make for a dramatic combination. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look between the lines for clues and mistakes that let Columbo turn the page on this mystery. The cast of Publish or […]

Apr 9, 2015

The nineteenth episode of Columbo was titled Double Exposure and was the fourth episode of the show’s third season. Subliminal messaging helps in both the commission of a murder and in solving it. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the overt and covert messages that lead Columbo to his killer. Robert Culp returns for his third tour […]

Apr 2, 2015

The eighteenth episode of Columbo was titled Candidate for Crime and was the third episode of the show’s third season. A would-be senator looks to convince Columbo that he is a victim, not a killer. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the schemes, slip-ups and shocks that lead the Lieutenant to his culprit. Jackie Cooper takes centre […]

Mar 26, 2015

The seventeenth episode of Columbo was titled Any Old Port in a Storm and was the second episode of the show’s third season. Fratricide and fermentation are the key themes in a classic tale. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the critical relationships and circumstances as Columbo looks to prove a scuba accident is more than it seems. […]

Mar 19, 2015

The sixteenth episode of Columbo was titled Lovely but Lethal and was the first episode of the show’s third season. Espionage and double-dealing in the cosmetics industry lead to a brutal murder as the new season begins dramatically. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the foundation of Columbo’s case and some important concealed evidence. The dark underbelly […]

Mar 12, 2015

The fifteenth episode of Columbo was titled Double Shock and was the eighth and final episode of the show’s second season. Motive and opportunity are the critical questions as Columbo tries to distinguish between a pair of identical suspects. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the detail of this case and consider how each of Season 2’s killers would fare at […]

Mar 5, 2015

The fourteenth episode of Columbo was titled The Most Dangerous Match and was the seventh episode of the show’s second season. When a legendary chess grandmaster is seriously injured Columbo must outwit a sharp-minded killer to piece together the vital evidence. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider whether the case has been made effectively, following the twists and turns of the investigation. […]

Feb 26, 2015

The thirteenth episode of Columbo was titled A Stitch in Crime and was the sixth episode of the show’s second season. A brilliant doctor is forced to improvise when a suspicious nurse begins to investigate his behaviour and Columbo goes head-to-head with the killer. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at a popular guest star on what is a well-regarded episode. […]

Feb 19, 2015

The twelfth episode of Columbo was titled Requiem for a Falling Star and was the fifth episode of the show’s second season. Columbo returns to the world of showbusiness and to Hollywood, looking to solve an apparent case of mistaken identity. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the show’s return to a familiar setting and a very unusual twist. In Requiem […]

Feb 12, 2015

The eleventh episode of Columbo was titled Dagger of the Mind and was the fourth episode of the show’s second season. Columbo travels to London and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation involving Shakespearean actors, butlers and cockney handymen. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the highs and lows of a controversial episode. In a unique […]

Feb 5, 2015

The tenth episode of Columbo was titled The Most Crucial Game and was the third episode of the show’s second season. The owner of a professional football franchise is killed by a frustrated employee and Columbo once more has to prove that a seeming accident was murder. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the motivations and machinations of the episode. […]

Jan 29, 2015

The ninth episode of Columbo was titled The Greenhouse Jungle and was the second episode of the show’s second season. A scheme to extract funds from a family Trust is turned on its head as an uncle double-crosses his nephew. Columbo has a little help for once as he tries to solve the case. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at […]

Jan 22, 2015

The eighth episode of Columbo was titled Ètude in Black and was the opening episode of the show’s second season. A popular musician murders his mistress to conceal their affair, intending that her death be considered a suicide. Columbo is charged with disproving that assertion and identifying the killer. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Columbo’s approach to the […]

Jan 15, 2015

The seventh episode of Columbo was titled Blueprint for Murder and was the final episode of the show’s first season. Columbo is tasked with finding a body before it is permanently hidden and the chance lost. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at the battle of wits between Columbo and the killer, before reflecting on Season One as a […]

Jan 8, 2015

The sixth episode of Columbo was titled Short Fuse and delivered an explosive twist to the typical methods used by killers on the show so far. This episode saw Columbo try to establish whether two victims were the unfortunate casualties of a car accident, or if something more sinister had occurred. In the podcast Gerry and Iain look at the dramatic […]

Dec 26, 2014

The fifth episode of Columbo was titled Lady in Waiting and marked the first time a female killer featured on the show. This episode saw Columbo try to overturn a coroner’s inquiry verdict of accidental death. In the podcast Gerry and Iain look at the methods and motives of Lady in Waiting and try to ascertain whether justice can be […]

Dec 17, 2014

The fourth episode of Columbo was titled Suitable for Framing and brought viewers back to the direct conflict between Lieutenant Columbo and a killer that had been seen in the first two episodes of the season. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the strengths and weaknesses of Suitable for Framing and whether returning to the […]

Dec 11, 2014

The third episode of Columbo was titled Dead Weight and focused on not just a murder investigation, but on the relationship between the killer and a witness to his crime. In this podcast Gerry and Iain consider the highs and lows of Dead Weight and how it compares to the two earlier episodes. There was a slightly expanded […]

Dec 3, 2014

After a strong opening episode Columbo returned with a new case in Death Lends a Hand. This was the second of Season 1’s seven episodes and pitted Columbo against a private detective in a twist on the traditional relationship between killer and investigator. In this show Gerry and Iain look at the key components and moments of Death Lends a […]

Dec 2, 2014

Murder by the Book was the first installment of Columbo’s inaugural season and (if we set the pilots aside for now) introduced audiences to Peter Falk in what was to become an iconic role. In this episode Gerry and Iain take a look at not only the plot, but also the characters, actors and others […]