The Columbo Podcast

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 Cliff (Benjamin Bratt), who returns her for a meeting with Sterling Frost Sr (Ron Perlman) at an Atlantic City casino run by Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman) and the Hasp family.

When Frost is gunned down and Charlie set up as the patsy, she leans on Agent Luca Clarke (Simon Helberg) and pays a visit to her sister Emily (Clea DuVall) in an effort to escape the attentions of Hasp and the Five Families.

This is the only season 1 episode directed by Janicza Bravo. The writing credit goes to creator Rian Johnson, his second of the season.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of The Hook please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The Hook was released in 2023. It is 57 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is now available.

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 enjoying the Rockies in summer with Luke (Chris Cortez), an outdoorsy guy with whom she finds an immediate connection. Later, we find her in winter without her beau and falling in tow with a kleptomanic drifter she calls Morty (Stephanie Hsu).

When Charlie’s car gets stuck in a snowdrift, Morty heads off to get help and Charlie is later hit by a speeding car driven by Trey (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), absconding from house arrest for the night. Thinking he’s killed her, Trey enlists the help of his old friend, Jimmy (David Castañeda), but soon their past looks like it might be catching up with them.

This is the second season 1 episode directed by creator Rian Johnson. The writing credit is shared by showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of Escape From Sh*t Mountain please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

Escape From Sh*t Mountain was released in 2023. It is 60 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is now available.

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 find Charlie first at a barbershop, then – by chance or fate – working with practical effects specialist Arthur Liptin (Nick Nolte). Arthur’s one-time colleagues Laura (Cherry Jones) and Max (Tim Russ) have recently become estranged from one another, but when Max appears to kill himself in front of Laura she comes to Arthur with an unusual request.

When Arthur, too, dies unexpectedly after meeting with Laura, Charlie pays the studio executive a visit only to make a stunning discovery. With the help of archivist Raoul (Luis Guzmán) she endeavours to expose Laura’s misdeeds in front of a fanatical audience, before the evidence is permanently erased.

This is the only first season episode to be directed by Natasha Lyonne. She also receives a writing credit, along with Alice Ju, who was previously responsible for episode 2, The Night Shift.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of The Orpheus Syndrome please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The Orpheus Syndrome was released in 2023. It is 57 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is now available.

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 week, we find Charlie working at a go-kart track with her boss, Jean (Angel Desai) and colleague Randy (Jack Alcott). Jean’s son Davis McDowell (Charles Melton) is a racing driver and we see him pull out all the stops to defeat veteran Keith Owens III (Tim Blake Nelson) for a race win.

When Keith sabotages Davis’ car the younger man suffers a serious accident at practice for the next race, but in a dramatic twist it turns out Keith’s daughter Katy (Jasmine Aiyana Garvin) is unexpectedly behind the wheel. After making a confession to his wife Donna (Leslie Silva), Keith comes clean to the nation, leaving Charlie with one more mystery to ponder.

This is the second of two first season episodes directed by Iain B. MacDonald. The episode was written by Joe Lawson, with a credit to Sarah Fischer for her contribution to the plot.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of The Future of the Sport please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The Future of the Sport was released in 2023. It is 48 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is now available.

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 love and money.

This week, Charlie lucks into a job at a theatre-diner thanks to a chance meeting with stage manager Phil (Chris McKinney). Working there she gets a close-up view of the preparations for a play starring former TV stars Kathleen Townsend (Ellen Barkin) and Michael Graves (Tim Meadows).

When Michael’s wife Ava (Jameela Jamil) is killed in what appears to be a trap set for Kathleen, Charlie begins to investigate, but Kathleen and Michael’s co-star Rebecca (Audrey Corsa) is also on the case and may have less altruistic motivations.

Ben Sinclair, who also has a cameo role, directs this episode, his only directing credit in the first season. The episode was written by Chris Downey, his only primary writing credit of the season.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of Exit Stage Death please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

Exit Stage Death was released in 2023. It is 48 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is now available.

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, Charlie makes friends with a couple of former felons, Irene (Judith Light) and Joyce (S. Epatha Merkerson), at a retirement village where she now works. Despite warnings from fellow resident Betty (K Callan) and FBI Agent Clarke (Simon Helberg), she maintains the friendship.

When new resident Ben turns out to be Gabriel (Reed Birney), a prominent figure from Joyce and Irene’s past, before turning up dead, Charlie’s suspicions are raised. A second killing persuades her that her new friends may not be as cool as she first thought.

Lucky McKee directs this one, his only directing credit in the first season. The episode was written by Wyatt Cain – the second of his two primary writing credits for the season – and Charlie Peppers, his only such credit this season.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of Time of the Monkey please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

Time of the Monkey was released in 2023. It is 51 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is expected in September 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.

This week, Charlie hooks up with a heavy metal band twenty plus years removed from their one hit song, a track they don’t even receive royalties for as the writing credit belongs to their former drummer. The band is called Doxxxology and their front woman is Ruby Ruin (Chloë Sevigny).

Via a Craigslist ad, Ruby hires a new drummer for the tour, an over-enthusiastic young metalhead called Gavin (Nicholas Cirillo). When he writes a new song the band recognises as a potential hit, Ruby plots with Al (John Darnielle) and Eskie (G.K. Umeh) to take control of the royalties by staging a fatal accident for their new colleague.

Tiffany Johnson directs this week, the her only directing credit for season one. The episode was written by Christine Boylan, her only primary writing credit in the first season.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of Rest in Metal please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

Rest in Metal was released in 2023. It is 48 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is expected in September 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 a dog of dubious political instincts before taking work at Boyle’s BBQ when her companion gets stuck in to some sausages without permission. The proprietors are Taffy Boyle (Lil Rel Howery), his brother George (Larry Brown) and George’s wife Mandy (Danielle Macdonald).

When George’s decision to go vegan and quit the barbecue business hits Taffy and Mandy hard, his apparent subsequent suicide eases some of their concerns. After talking with her colleague Beto (Dylan Frederick), Charlie seeks assistance from local DJ Austin (Shane Paul McGhie) to solidify her suspicions.

Iain B. MacDonald directs this week, the first of two season one episodes he takes charge of. The episode was written by Wyatt Cain, the first of two season one stories he gets the primary credit for.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of The Stall please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The Stall was released in 2023. It is 56 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is expected in September 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.

This week, Charlie befriends Marge (Hong Chau), a trucker who operates strictly off the grid, at a rest stop in New Mexico. When security footage seems to show Marge has killed local sandwich artist Damian (Brandon Micheal Hall) Charlie’s concerns compel her to discover the truth.

Damian’s friend Sara (Megan Suri) offers what help she can, while mechanic Abe (Pixar legend John Ratzenberger) and his nephew Jed (Broadway star Colton Ryan) fix up Charlie’s car. Jed, though, has something to hide and Charlie enlists the help of diner worker Dana (a scene-stealing Chelsea Frei) and an assortment of sympathetic truckers to discover the truth.

Rian Johnson again directs himself, the second of three episodes in season one that he is in the big chair for. The episode was written by Alice Ju, the first of her two season one scripts.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of The Night Shift please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

The Night Shift was released in 2023. It is 63 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is expected in September 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 by the remarkable Natasha Lyonne and this week squares off primarily against Sterling Frost, Jr. (Adrien Brody) and his ruthless goon Cliff Legrand (Benjamin Bratt) as she tries to find out the truth about her friend Natalie’s (Dascha Polanco) death in an apparent domestic dispute with her husband Jerry (Michael Reagan).

Also appearing are regular Rian Johnson collaborator Noah Segan as Sheriff Parker, Kerry Frances as casino worker Michelle, Jeremy Lawrence as trailer park entrepreneur John-O and many other exciting actors in smaller roles.

Rian Johnson directs this one himself, the first of three episodes in season one that he helms up. This is also his first of two writing credits for the season.

If you have thoughts on any aspect of Dead Man’s Hand ,please share them below, or find us on Twitter at @columbopodcast or on Threads at the same handle.

The Columbo Podcast is widely available – on iTunes, Spotify, tunein, Pocket Casts or pretty much wherever you choose to receive and manage your podcasts. If you enjoy the show it would be greatly appreciated if you consider leaving ratings and reviews on these sites – particularly iTunes – as that can make a big difference to growing the podcast’s audience.

Dead Man’s Hand was released in 2023. It is 68 minutes long and originally aired on Peacock. Episodes continue to stream on Peacock internationally and on Sky in the UK. The DVD boxset of season 1 is expected in September 2023.