Licence to Spiel

We discuss “A Stitch in Crime,” an episode of Columbo that both Thad and Carl really enjoyed, and not just because Spock, er, Leonard Nimoy is the murderer-of-the-week. Does no one keep track of morphine or coffee at this hospital? Who built the death-trap that is Dr. Mayfield’s house? And what does it take to make Columbo angry? We discuss these questions and much more, including quite possibly the coolest person to ever check their email.

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

In this episode, Thad and Carl talk about “Requiem for a Falling Star” starring Anne Baxter, Mel Ferrer, and Kevin McCarthy (no, not that one). We have our usual questions about things like gasoline fumes, whether anyone in this episode knows how to park, and what exactly is in those decanters on Anne Baxter’s bar.

We also go down a long (even by our standards) rathole about television shows and movies of questionable moral character and turn to the experts at “Focus on the Family” to help us out. If you just want us to get on with it, feel free to skip from one “…and Kevin McCarthy” chapter to the next.

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

Apologies for the delay, but we somehow lost our luggage in Heathrow Airport. In this episode, Columbo inexplicably finds himself in London, England and has to navigate every British cliché the writers can throw at him and find out whether or not it’s true that “the butler did it.”

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

“What’d you pay for those shoes?” We are back along with Robert Culp’s mustache as we discuss “The Most Crucial Game” and a whole lot of things that barely exist anymore.

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

We navigate “The Greenhouse Jungle” which is replete with fraud, fake kidnapping, murder, and really bad wigs.

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

We begin season 2 of Columbo with “Étude in Black,” a special, extended (or is that padded?) episode featuring Peter Falk’s friend John Cassavetes as the Murderer-of-the Week.

Does this episode merit an extra 30 minutes of runtime? Did Cassavetes do any research at all on how to conduct an orchestra? Was every actor from the 70s in at least one episode of “The Virginian?” And what’s up with the sudden appearance of Adolf Hitler? Listen and find out!

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

We take a one-episode break from Columbo to revisit the final latest entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—THE FINAL RECKONING. Just like the first time we watched it, we found it to be too long. In our (hopefully not too long) discussion, we ask why the filmmakers have suddenly decided their audience is full of idiots; question the inflammability of Alaskan cabins; and lose track of the number of times Ethan Hunt should die in this film.

Speaking of not dying, we have a hard time believing that this is the last film in the series…

Clip Shows and Sparachutes (immediate reactions to THE FINAL RECKONING)

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

We close out the first season of Columbo with “Blueprint for Murder,” which is also the first and only episode of the show directed by Peter Falk. Join us as we discuss after-market Cadillac modding, really cheap bourbon, and what might just be the most expensive murder investigation in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Carl and Thad are joined by special guest Ryan Riddle to discuss “Short Fuse,” starring Roddy McDowall as the murderer of the week. We had a fun and extensive conversation with Ryan that even touched on the episode at times.

Ryan Riddle – @ryanthomasriddle.com

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social

In this episode, Thad and Carl discuss “Lady in Waiting,” the fifth of the first season of Columbo. While we would never condone murder, we both agree that Bryce Chadwick is the most murderable victim we have seen to date. We also get incredibly distracted by the usual things, including the inexplicable “Webster” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” crossover episode.

Licence to Spiel – @podspiel.bsky.social