The Columbo Confab Podcast

In "Blueprint for Murder" (1972), when architect Elliott Marham's (Patrick O'Neal) plans for a sprawling new project are nixed by Texan Bo Williamson (Forrest Tucker) and Bo suddenly mysteriously disappears, Columbo's suspicions naturally turn to Markham. But without a body, how can he prove there was a murder? Is this murder worthy of Frank Lloyd Wright? Or does it belong on the office floor with the plans of Williamson City? Listen in and find out what Steve and Sean think!

Have a comment or a question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

Our fearless podcasters face the daunting task of reviewing A Riddle for Puppets (1979), one of the few episodes of Mrs. Columbo still widely available. Something's not quite right with ventriloquist Noel Abbott (Jay Johnson), who chisels his mentor to death and is convinced the only witness to the crime is his victim's puppet, Clown. Is A Riddle for Puppets worthy to be considered Columbo canon? Or should it be reserved for a midnight showing during a weeknight? Listen in and find out what Steve and Sean thought!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email them at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

Famous criminal defense attorney Hugh Creighton (played by Dabney Coleman) murders his common-law wife, a has-been rock star. However, while dodging questions from Lieutenant Columbo, Creighton must also deal with his blackmailing associate. Is this one good enough to set free? Or should it be guilty as charged? Listen in to Steve and Sean and find out!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email them at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

In "Publish or Perish" (1974), saucy publisher Riley Greenleaf (Jack Cassidy) pays a creepy hit-man to bump off a rival, Greenleaf stages a fake drunken night on the town to provide himself with an alibi. Of course, now he has to outwit Lieutenant Columbo while disposing of the man he paid to do the dirty deed. Is this a plot worthy of a Pulitzer? Or should we find this one in the back wracks of your local dime store? Listen in and find out what Steve and Sean think!

Have a question or comment for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

Steve and Sean talk about "Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo" (1990) in which realtor Vivian Dimitri (Helen Shaver) kills her boss to avenge the imprisonment and eventual death of her late husband. As the title suggests, wackiness ensues when Vivian has designs not only on the policeman who caught her husband, but his wife as well. Will Columbo escape with his life before finding the evidence that will put Vivian behind bars? Will he eat his wife's poisoned jam? Why is everyone attending this fake funeral? Listen in and find out!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

In "A Stitch in Crime" (1973) a talented heart surgeon (played by Leonard Nimoy) kills twice to cover up his murderous plan to do away with his colleague in a diabolical plot involving dissolving suture. Does this episode deserve a good diagnosis? Or was it DOA? Listen in to what Steve and Sean have to say and find out!

Have a question or comment for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or fllow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

Steve and Sean open Season Eight of The Columbo Confab podcast with "A Trace of Murder" (1997) starring David Rasche as a forensic scientist who plots with his mistress to frame her millionaire husband for murder. Does this episode pass scientific muster? Or is it bunkum? Listen in and find out what Steve and Sean thought!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast's Twitter account via @columboconfab.

Steve and Sean turn the dial on the Wayback Machine to 1968 and the premiere of Prescription: Murder (1968), starring Gene Barry as an adulterous psychiatrist who bumps off his wife with the help of his mistress. Is this episode up to FDA standards? Or is as toxic as diet pills? Listen in and find out!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow us on Twitter via @columboconfab.

In "Uneasy Lies the Crown" (1990), diabolical dentist Wesley Corman (played by James Read) has a creative plot to poison his wife's lover, but not exactly for the reason you expect: he wants to humiliate his wife and continuing practicing dentistry with his father-in-law. Is this a story that's polished? Or is it full of cavities? Listen to Steve and Sean and find out!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter via @columboconfab.

Steve and Sean finish up the Robert Culp trifecta with "Double Exposure" (1973), in which Culp stars as a motivational research scientist who gets caught blackmailing clients with his named by unseen girlfriend's "fabulous body." Audiotapes, film, nickels, and raisins abound when Culp bumps off another hapless blackmailer to cover up the first murder. Oh, what a tangled web he weaves! What did Steve and Sean think? Listen and find out!

Have a comment or question for the hosts? Email Steve and Sean at [email protected] or follow the podcast on Twitter at @columboconfab.