Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 5

September 8, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with…Agenda for Murder!

This episode first aired February 1, 1990.

This is the third of four appearances by Patrick McGoohan as well as the third of four episodes he directed. McGoohan won his second Columbo Emmy Award for his performance as Oscar Finch.

His portrayal of the Governor would end up being actor Arthur Hill’s final film appearance.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Patrick McGoohan as Oscar Finch looks like Alan Napier as Alfred from the old Batman series.

A suitably ominous dark and stormy night.

Wow. A lot of thought and prep went into this murder.

Columbo struggling with that state-of-the-art fax machine!

Not sure about Columbo sniffing out the Parmigiana Reggiano like, well, Dog. He is an appreciator of fine cheeses though.

Blood UNDER the gun instead of on top of it. Suspicious! And sloppy.

But isn’t it possible that the gun would eventually slip out of the dead man’s hand? It’s not such leap.

Really? NO ONE can figure out the fax machine?

Mrs. Columbo is more tech-savvy ever since he got her a computer. Reminds me of someone I once worked with back in the day who bought his wife a computer. She became quick learner – so much so that she ended up developing software that was licensed by the FBI and paid her roughly 1 million dollars a year.

Hmmm. Only 1 of 2 pages sent!

Columbo amazed by the new fangled phones!

I love this secretary, indignant over the stench of cigar smoke.

“That oxidized relic is yours?” Brilliant.

Love the way Columbo tracks him down: “One more thing…”

Can I just say how much I love McGoohan’s performance as the cool and calculated Finch.

Love Finch’s reaction to seeing Columbo at the courthouse – none too pleased.

“He shot himself between jokes.” Well, when you put it that way, that IS suspicious.

Finch’s delayed sustained laughter is all sorts of unsettling. What a great villain.

Columbo can’t get the pen to work. “Twist it,” suggests Mackey. Is Columbo a Luddite? Was he raised Amish?

This is a great bit where Columbo asks Mackey for an autograph for his wife…
“What’s her name?”
“Mrs. Columbo.”

Love Columbo noting that Finch beat him to his own parking spot.

Finch offers a perfectly reasonable explanation for why the gun drop was delayed. “Brilliants, sir,”says Columbo. “I wouldn’t have thought of that in a million years.”

Wow. He admits the murder to Mackey. The bigger the circle of trust, the weaker its borders!

Does every political campaign scene have to show people in styrofoam hats celebrating to the tune of When the Saints Go Marching In?

“I think you did it.” Columbo refreshingly/shockingly honest.

“That was an extraordinary remark you made just now. I’m very disappointed in you.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“I thought we had a nice relationship going.”
“Well, nothing’s perfect, sir.”
A terrific exchange.

Come on. There is no way that parking spot would have been dry if he left at 2 am. How long does it take wet pavement to dry? Am I missing something here?

That suit could have been rain-damaged at any time though, no? I mean, I understand it’s L.A. and it rarely rains but that feels like a bit of a stretch as well.

The swimming-upstream-against-the-crowd scene is kind of funny.

He matched the bite mark on the chewing gum to the teeth mark in the cheese? That IS poppycock.

What a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed this episode despite the preposterous case Columbo ultimately builds against Finch. I know bite mark analysis was a thing back when this episode was shot but it nevertheless feels kind of ridiculous. Still, Columbo does establish motive, means, and opportunity and it is a pretty strong episode overall, bolstered by the two fantastic performances of our leads – Falk and McGoohan. Columbo was more reserved than previous outings and the direction was more restrained, which I appreciated. No silly ringmaster outfits this time out, just a good, solid story and a worthy adversary reminiscent of Columbo of old. Easily my favorite episode of the new batch.

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September 7, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

Back to The Well…

BIG turkey meatball…

Misjuding his jump…

Out and About with Sharky: Nonni’s…

Sharky meets Arthur…

Messy eater…

Street dog…

Suji and Sharky…

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September 6, 2025: Dark Matter moments!

Kill them all…

Transfer transit…

The end of EOS-7…

dark-matter-the-end-of-eos-7-mp4

Rough landing…

dark-matter-rough-landing-mp4

High Noon…

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Dunking the cosmic donut…

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They can do better…

dark-matter-22they-can-do-better22-mp4

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September 5, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch continues with…Columbo Cries Wolf!

This episode first aired January 20, 1990.

This is the first episode of Columbo in which the victim is not killed in the first act.

Ian Buchanan who played Sean Brantley and Rebecca Staab who played Tina would reunite on the daytime soap Port Charles (1997).

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

The opening to The Fine Young Cannibals immediately dates this outing.

Ian Buchanan excels at playing punchable slimeballs.

“No more live-in nymphs!” Seems kinda harsh.

That secretary aint exactly subtle in her snooping.

Who hasn’t asked their limo driver to stop somewhere and pick up some thinly slicked Scottish salmon?

Shades of “Blueprint for Murder” with this airport swithcheroo.

Why the heck is Columbo driving to what sounds suspiciously close to the Seinfeld opening theme?

Not sure why Columbo would go down the path of assuming she was swapped out.

Columbo can’t say no to a fancy helicopter ride. Or a good cigar.

Aha! A shell casing.

This is the same panning shot of the poolside models from the opening but, for some reason, flipped so we’re panning from right to left instead of left to right. Did they seriously not have enough B-cam footage?

So Columbo is basing his theory on the gunshot and the fact that Diane was bundled up when she exited the vehicle. Hmmm.

Columbo can’t figure out crime books, even after the detective has laid it all out in the end. I’ve read a few of those this year.

Ah, the days of flying when you could breeze past security without removing your sunglasses or head covering.

Custom made matching beepers. How romantic.

Aha! The lady in the security cam video is putting cream in her coffee – something the missing Diane never did!

Brantley’s angry response to being suspected of murder is a very unmurderer-like reaction.

I like the scene of Columbo walking in on a half dozen models just playfully lounging around the bedroom.

The scene of Columbo and co. hiding out in the public bathroom is kind of funny.

I do question Columbo’s need to review all those security tapes when he could have just reviewed the relevant ones.

If it WAS Tina, how could she have returned from London? With a fake passport?

Tina is really taunting Columbo, first throwing the papers in his face, then the cannonball into the pool.

A postcard from Diane?! Is this a ruse?

Weird scene transition. It looks like Columbo walks out on Brantley to a waiting limo in time to see Brantley, now changed, heading out. Not a convincing time cut.

Columbo crammed into the limo with the models.

The models have two minutes to shop. If I was them, I’d skip the clothing stores and head straight for the nearest Van Clef.

Columbo jogging alongside Tina echoes a similar/better scene from “An Exercise in Fatality”.

Tina in that crop top and pants. In a word: “Wow”.

Do they really need to handcuff her? I think this is Columbo getting back at her for the pool cannonball.

Diane makes a reappearance, having returned from her trip to London. Did NOT expect that twist!

And neither did Columbo.

They made him look like quite the fool.

There is a surprising lack of cocaine in these 90’s model party scenes.

This, I believe, is the latest a murder is committed in an episode of Columbo – with less than 14 minutes remaining. Also, the fastest Columbo solves a case.

It’s a pretty great Gotcha!, although I could have done without him actually sending the “Gotcha” message. Also, lucky for him that the body just happened to be buried close enough for them to hear the pager.

This episode does not come close to the lofty heights of the classic Columbo episodes – BUT it does take the top spot of the new Columbos. Buchanan plays a suitably smarmy villain and I have to admit to being surprised by the late episode twist that sees Diane make an unexpected return. The Gotcha was, I thought, very well done as well. While I found Columbo’s investigative presumptions a little hard to swallow, and the show’s 90’s elements annoyingly dated (outside of that one outfit Tina was wearing), they were minor quibbles in an otherwise solid episode.

Next up, Columbo investigates a murder made to look like a suicide in “Agenda for Murder”. Here’s hoping season 9 continues it’s modestly solid run.

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September 4, 2025: The Thursday Update!

Now while it may seem like I’m recommending a lot of 2025 Crime Reads at 20 odd titles, the fact that I’ve checked out over 150+ books suggests otherwise in the grand scheme of things.  Anyway, here’s one more to add to your reading list…

Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Editor Susan Ryeland discovers the manuscript for the crime novel she is reading may hold the clues to solving a real life murder.

Posting this video of Keir Starmer trying to appear manly will now get you 4-6 months in a UK prison…

This is outrageous…

You used to be able to pay for a premium commercial-free service, but the NFL just had to wring those last few pennies out of their fanbase. I will not be renewing my Redzone subscription.

Climate activists hate coffee drinkers, Post-Impressionist art and now your dog…

Finally, a reminder that our Columbo rewatch resumes tomorrow with “Columbo Cries Wolf”!  Will season 9 continue its semi-promising run?

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September 3, 2025: Amazing Covers!

A few that caught my eye this week…

Batman #1 – cover art by David Aja

The Amazing Spider-Man #11 – cover art by Lee Bermejo

Wolverine #13 – cover art by Martin Coccolo

Star Trek: Red Shirts #2 – cover art by Chris Shehan

Which were YOUR favorites?

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September 2, 2025: Columbo rewatch update! Early birthday gifts! Science!

First off, an update for those participating in our Columbo rewatch.  The next episode we’ll be watching will be “Columbo Cries Wolf” (not “Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo”).  Prep accordingly for Friday’s discussion!

My early birthday presents have arrived, c/o of my wife.  And Amazon.

And this one.  They’ll be joining my Sinestro ring and Legion flight ring.  Add cape, a walking stick and a velvet fedora and I’ll be strutting around like a pimp from a 70’s cop show!

Can confirm!

 

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September 1, 2025: Our Columbo rewatch resumes with Murder, A Self-Portrait!

This episode first aired November 25, 1989.

The Columbo masterpiece revealed at episode’s end was actually painted by Jarsoslav Gebr who headed up Universal Television Studio’s art department.

The Paradise Cove location featured in this episode is the same location as Jim Rockford’s trailer in The Rockford Files (1974).

Actress Shera Danese, who plays Barsini’s second wife, Vanessa, was married to Peter Falk and made multiple appearances on Columbo.

My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…

Opening on this basset hound park meet-up bodes well for this episode.

Love Columbo struggling with an uncooperative Dog who looks like he packed on a few pounds since his last appearance.

I find the music intrusive here. I can barely hear the dialogue.

Max Barsini has an annoyingly mannered way of speaking. But it’s clearly working for him with the ladies – though, to be fair, this set-up is pretty ludicrous.

The music playing during his confrontation with his first wife is very distracting. I think the music in these new ABC Columbo’s is my biggest pet peeve.

Nice to see Vito Scotti playing Vito the bar owner.

Boy, nothing says British like a monocle. Smashing kippers, wot?

Columbo doesn’t make his official entry until the 30 minute mark. Which is why, no doubt, we kicked off the episode with that superfluous basset hound park sequence that I ultimately did not mind.

Aha! She was only wearing one contact when she went out for a swim. Why someone would she only be wearing one contact at any time is, I suppose, besides the point.

Really hate the music that accompanies the second wife’s reaction to the death of the first wife.

Love Columbo putting together the weirdness of the living arrangement.

Do we have to have music in every damn scene? Less is more.

Love the fact Columbo is eager to pose for his painting. “Wait ’til I tell Mrs. Columbo.”

“You carry on like fishwives!”
“Go. Make yourselves useful. Cook! Pray for Louise! Wash my clothes!”
Subtle this aint.

I kind of like this scene of Columbo switching roles with the psychologist.

Something terrible once happened at Vito’s bar. Is that why it’s always empty?

“I do not paint dogs.” Of course not. He’s a psychopath.

He’s going to paint Columbo’s “policeman’s soul”!

While i don’t mind these black and white dream sequences conceptually, I wish they’d really gone for it and made them weirder.

Uncle is oncle in French and my uncle in mon oncle in French which is close to the word monocle. That is one ridiculous thread of logic…that turns out to be dead-on.

I like the intercutting between the interviews of the two lovers.

Another nice little Dog moment. I bet he loves the ocean.

Should a psychologist really be releasing these dream tapes to the police even if his patient is dead?

Strawberry and blueberry contain the word “bury”. Another ridiculous leap in logic…that also ends up being correct.

Interesting choice to have this heart-to-heart between the two women take place in a sauna.

Columbo’s uncle was a doctor. The poor guy lamented the fact that the only visits he ever got were from sick people. Sad.

I did laugh at Barsini’s progression of insults he shouts after the departing Julie: “Ingrate! Tramp! Model!”

Barsini thinks he has been abandoned – but Columbo is there for him!

The Barsini red paint on his dead ex-wife’s lips tie him to the murder. I guess. Kinda sloppy of him though.

Columbo and Barsini are suprisingly amiable to each other in this final Gotcha scene.

Maybe I’ve subconsciously readjusted my expectations for these new Columbo’s because I didn’t hate this episode. On the other hand, I didn’t exactly like it. Sure, there were some enjoyable moments (the Dog scenes stand out) as well as a few good lines, but I thought the performances were pretty awful. Fionnula Flanagan’s portrayal of first wife Louise was pretty good, but I thought Vito Scotti stole the show. The plotting was sloppy with regard to the investigation, and the whole dream diary elements were particularly egregious. It’s made pretty clear early on that Louise knows Max’s secret and vows to keep it and yet, at the same time, she is having these nightmares she can’t quite figure out. What nonsense. And speaking of nonsense…uncle=oncle=my uncle=mon oncle=monocle? Was writer Robert Sherman drunk when he wrote this sequence? Sherman would go on to write 15 episodes of Barnaby Jones and 7 episodes of MacGyver (!).

The fact that the production chose this episode to kick off the show’s ninth season makes me somewhat apprehensive but, like I said, I didn’t totally hate this one so that is a win so far as I’m concerned. Next up, the ominously titled Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo.

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August 31, 2025: Sharky Sunday!

Back to Toronto…

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The hungry pug…

Sharky’s elevator routine…

Dog Day at The Well…

A trip to St. Lawrence Market…

Shabbie Time!

Sharky does NOT like being left alone…

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August 30, 2025: Cheese, please!

A recent study suggests that cheese may give you nightmares, especially if you are lactose intolerant.  I try to be an open and tolerant person in general, but I did pick up some Mimolette and Tete de Moine this morning during our weekly Saturday farmer’s market trip and St. Lawrence Market visit, so I’m going to test this theory tonight.  I also picked up some Camembert which contains mrystamide, a fatty acid amide that is purported to enhance cognitive function and help stave off cognitive decline.  Findings from other recent cheese-related studies…

Gouda = Linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular death.

Fermented cheeses like Parmesan = Inverse link to type 2 diabetes risks and complications.

Cheddar = Bioactive peptides linked gut health benefits, cancer risk reduction, and bone support.  Another study saw reductions in total and LDL cholesterol.

Blue cheeses = Contain anti-inflammatory compounds and may counteract multi-drug resistant cancer cells.

Ripened white cheeses = Linked to antioxidant and anti hypertensive activities.

No news on those indulgent runny cheeses I love, but I suppose that’s simply because the studies have yet to be commissioned.

So, calling all cheese lovers.  What are your favorite cheeses?

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