Week of 6/24: Just One More Thing, Lt. Columbo

By Sylvia Gurinsky

Today, there is the late-breaking news that Peter Falk, who was Lt. Columbo, has died at age 83.

Falk distinguished himself in Academy Award-nominated roles in movies. But starting in 1967, he played Police Lt. Frank Columbo - first in various television movies, then as one of the troika (along with "McCloud" and "McMillan and Wife") in the successful "NBC Mystery Movie," then in another series of television movies for ABC from the 1980s through 2003.

Unlike any previous television detective, Columbo dressed in a rumpled raincoat and drove a beat-up car. His method of making inquiries was usually polite ("just one more thing") and often stream-of-consciousness: He could throw in a statement about his wife's favorite television programs alongside queries about where a suspect was at the time of a murder. The format of the program ensured that the viewer knew who the murderer was. The fun was in watching Columbo figure out how a crime was committed.

Here's the ending to "A Friend in Deed," in which Columbo's trail leads him right to the police commissioner, played by the great Richard Kiley:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQaGPwIBKCc

"Columbo" is available on DVD, so it is possible to have "just one more question."



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This week brings the unfortunate news that country singing star Glen Campbell has Alzheimer's - the disease Falk had. As everyone hopes for progress in fighting the disease, we take a look back at his biggest shining moment on television.

Launched by CBS in 1969 as a summer replacement for the Smothers Brothers' variety show, "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" was a variety show in which Campbell would perform some of his hits and other popular songs and have a number of guest stars, both musical and not. It stayed on CBS' lineup until 1972.

Here's Campbell performing one of his biggest hits, "Wichita Lineman," on the show:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HFCuBLAjXo

No DVD releases yet, and whatever VHS tapes are available are expensive, so YouTube's the best bet for now.


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Fans of classic television are embracing Antenna TV, which is showing up on some of the newer digital channels in many communities.

Named because the shows were created in an age of analog television, Antenna TV, created by Tribune, has a schedule including shows ranging from "Burns & Allen" to "Mad About You" and old movies as well. Here's the website, which includes a daily schedule:

http://www.antennatv.tv/

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Next week, YesterTube will be on holiday hiatus. Happy Viewing!