Just one more thing. Honestly, if you're looking for the Columbo series episode list, you've probably realized it isn't as straightforward as a modern Netflix binge. It’s a mess. A beautiful, cigar-smoke-filled mess that spans decades, networks, and even a weirdly long hiatus. You can't just count seasons 1 through 10 and call it a day because the gap between 1978 and 1989 changes everything about how the show feels.
The NBC Mystery Movie Era (1971–1978)
This is the gold standard. When people think of Lieutenant Columbo, they’re thinking of these 45 episodes. It started with a pilot called Prescription: Murder in 1968, which actually felt more like a stage play than the show we eventually got. Peter Falk wasn't even the first choice; they wanted Bing Crosby. Can you imagine that? Crosby as the disheveled detective? It would’ve been a disaster.
Then came the second pilot, Ransom for a Dead Man, and suddenly the formula clicked. NBC slotted it into their "Mystery Movie" rotation alongside McCloud and McMillan & Wife. This meant the episodes weren't weekly. They were television movies.
In Season 1, you’ve got Steven Spielberg—yeah, that Spielberg—directing "Murder by the Book." It’s incredible. The pacing is tight, the overhead shots are sophisticated, and Jack Cassidy plays the perfect arrogant villain. Cassidy ended up being a repeat offender, appearing in multiple episodes as different characters because he and Falk had such great chemistry.
Breaking Down the Seasons
Season 1 kicked off with seven episodes. By Season 2, they bumped it to eight. You start seeing the "Guest Star" trend explode here. We're talking Honor Blackman, John Cassavetes, and Ray Milland. The show wasn't just a police procedural; it was a high-society takedown.
Season 3 gave us "Any Old Port in a Storm," which many fans (and Falk himself) considered a favorite. Donald Pleasence plays a wine connoisseur who murders his brother. It’s one of the few times Columbo actually seems to respect the killer. He treats him with a sort of melancholy dignity at the end. It’s weirdly touching.
Then things got a bit experimental. By Season 4 and 5, the episodes started stretching. Some were 75 minutes, others were 95. "Negative Reaction" with Dick Van Dyke is a standout from this period. If you’re checking a Columbo series episode list, pay attention to the runtimes. The longer ones sometimes drag, but the 75-minute ones are usually lean and mean.
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The Long Dark and the ABC Revival (1989–2003)
NBC canceled the show in 1978. Everyone thought it was over. Falk went off to do movies, and the raincoat went into storage. But then, in 1989, ABC brought it back. This is where the Columbo series episode list gets confusing for casual viewers.
These aren't "seasons" in the traditional sense. They’re often referred to as the "New Columbo" or the "ABC Mystery Movies." There are 24 of them in total.
Some of these are... well, they're questionable. The 90s were a weird time for the Lieutenant. In "Columbo Goes to College," he’s dealing with frat bros using remote-controlled cars to commit murder. It’s a bit "How do you do, fellow kids?" but Falk still carries it.
What Changed in the Later Years?
The hair got whiter. The raincoat got a bit more tattered. The music shifted from that classic 70s orchestral suspense to synthesized 80s and 90s beats that haven't aged nearly as well.
- Season 8 (1989): This was the comeback. "Columbo Goes to the Guillotine" showed that the magic was still there, even if the production value looked a bit more like a soap opera.
- Season 9 and 10: These are a mixed bag. "Agenda for Murder" with Patrick McGoohan is a masterpiece. McGoohan directed five episodes and acted in four. He was essentially the shadow-architect of the show’s later years.
- The Specials: After Season 10, ABC stopped doing full seasons and just released "specials" every year or so. This includes "Undercover," which is widely hated by fans because Columbo wears a disguise and it feels like a completely different show. Avoid it unless you're a completionist.
The "Whodunnit" That Wasn't
Most crime shows are "Whodunnits." You watch to find out who the killer is. Columbo is a "Howcatchem." You see the murder in the first ten minutes. You know exactly who did it. The joy of the Columbo series episode list is watching the social friction.
Columbo is a blue-collar guy in a world of mansions, private jets, and high-tech gadgets (at least high-tech for 1974). He uses his perceived stupidity as a weapon. He waits for the killer to get comfortable, to get arrogant, and then he hits them with the "just one more thing."
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It’s about class. It’s always been about class.
The Best Way to Watch Today
If you’re staring at a massive list of 69 episodes and don't know where to start, don't just go chronologically. You’ll get burned out.
Start with the heavy hitters. "Murder by the Book" (Season 1, Episode 1) is mandatory. Follow that with "Suitable for Framing" (Season 1, Episode 4). The ending of that one is arguably the most satisfying "gotcha" in television history. Columbo doesn't even say a word; he just shows his hands.
If you want something a bit darker, "Swan Song" featuring Johnny Cash is great. Cash plays a gospel singer who crashes a plane to kill his wife. It’s moody, the music is actually good, and Johnny Cash is surprisingly believable as a cold-blooded killer.
Why the Episode List Matters for Collectors
If you’re buying the physical Blu-ray sets, be careful. Different regions group the episodes differently. Some "Complete Series" boxes omit the two pilot movies, which is a crime in itself. Always verify that Prescription: Murder and Ransom for a Dead Man are included. Without them, you're missing the evolution of the character.
In the pilots, Columbo is actually quite aggressive. He yells. He wears a suit that fits. He has short hair. It’s fascinating to see him transform into the bumbling genius we know today.
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Hidden Gems You Might Skip
Everyone talks about the Spielberg episode, but "A Friend in Deed" (Season 3, Episode 8) is a masterpiece of corruption. It involves a police commissioner. It’s one of the few times Columbo has to deal with internal politics, and it shows a grittier side of the LAPD.
Then there’s "Troubled Waters," which takes place on a cruise ship. It’s basically a locked-room mystery on the ocean. It’s fun, it’s breezy, and it’s a nice break from the usual Los Angeles scenery.
Honestly, even the "bad" episodes of Columbo are better than most modern TV. Even when the plot is thin, you’re there to watch Peter Falk. You're watching the way he fumbles for a pencil. You're watching the way he pretends to be impressed by a killer's expensive hi-fi system. It’s a masterclass in character acting.
Actionable Steps for Your Columbo Binge
If you're ready to dive into the Columbo series episode list, here is the most efficient way to do it without hitting the "90s slump" too hard:
- Watch the Pilots First: Do not skip Prescription: Murder. It sets the tone for the "Inverted Detective" format.
- Prioritize the NBC Years: Focus on Seasons 1 through 7. These are the "prestige" episodes with the highest production values and best scripts.
- The Patrick McGoohan Rule: If you see Patrick McGoohan's name in the credits—either as a director or an actor—watch it. He understood the rhythm of the show better than anyone else.
- Check the Runtime: If you're short on time, stick to the 75-minute episodes. The 95-minute ones were often padded by the network to fill a two-hour time slot and can feel sluggish.
- Use a Tracking App: Because the "Seasons" 8-10 and the subsequent "Specials" are often categorized differently on streaming platforms like Peacock or Tubi, use a dedicated TV tracker to ensure you aren't skipping the "lost" episodes from the late 90s.
- Skip the Outliers: Unless you want to see the show fail, you can safely skip "Last Salute to the Commodore." It was intended to be a parody/series finale and it's widely regarded as a bizarre, out-of-character mess.
The beauty of this show is that it’s timeless. A wealthy person thinks they are smarter than a man in a cheap coat. They are wrong. Every single time. And watching that realization dawn on their faces is a ritual that never gets old.