Posted on 05/08/2007 4:35:02 AM PDT by Caleb1411
I used to say that Lt. Columbo was an ageless character. Well, age may have just caught up with one of television's most durable, delightful and beloved detectives.
Universal Television, which has been in the "Columbo" business since 1968, has a script in hand titled "Columbo's Last Case." First announced as "Hear No Evil," the story would mark the 70th and final time Peter Falk plays the role that has brought him four Emmy Awards and an international following.
Falk likes the script and is eager to don Columbo's wrinkled raincoat one more time. If the cameras started rolling fairly soon, this 70th "Columbo" mystery could air in February. That would be the 40th anniversary of the TV movie that introduced the wily sleuth to America, "Prescription: Murder."
Seems like perfect timing, right? What could possibly be wrong with this scenario?
The problem is that none of the broadcast networks wants to air "Columbo's Last Case." Universal took the project to ABC, which has aired 24 "Columbo" movies since 1989 (the original 45 mysteries were aired over a 10-year span, 1968-78, by NBC). The assumption was that ABC would be happy to air Falk's swan song as the rumpled Los Angeles police lieutenant.
ABC passed on the project.
"It took a long time and a lot of hard work to come up with a script that Peter would approve," said Charles Engel, executive vice president of current programming at NBC Universal. "It's a darn good script with a really clever twist ending, but ABC opted not to go forward. We can't find a network to do it. We're anxious to proceed, but Peter is going to be 80 and nobody seems to want a leading man who is 80." Yes, but "Columbo" never was about street realism. Masterfully portrayed by Falk, who turns 80 on Sept. 16, he always was a character in the tradition of literature's super sleuths.
"That's certainly our feeling," Engel said. "But the networks say, 'He's 80 and we want to appeal to young viewers.' Look, we understand it's a demographic business and that the young demographics rule the world. The fallacy is thinking that 'Columbo' doesn't appeal to young people. He appeals to all ages."
Universal took the 70th "Columbo" to the character's original TV home, NBC. Why not? It's the same corporate family. Both NBC and Universal are owned by General Electric.
NBC isn't in the TV movie business these days, so Universal took the project to USA Network. It airs "Monk," the quirky detective series that was influenced by "Columbo." And the cable channel is owned by, uh, NBC Universal.
It didn't matter. USA Network passed, as well.
Is this any way to treat one of television's iconic characters? Before we address that question, I should, as a matter of full disclosure, confess that I wrote "The Columbo Phile," a 1989 history of the good lieutenant.
OK, where was I? Oh, yes: Is this any way to treat one of television's iconic characters? Has Hollywood's youth-obsession reached such an extreme state that there's no room for Columbo's ancient raincoat, pet basset hound and wheezy silver Peugot?
"Maybe so," said William Link, who created the character with his writing partner, the late Richard Levinson. "Ageism is rampant in Hollywood, at all levels, but this might be more than ageism. The detective shows on the broadcast networks are all police procedurals dominated by endless discussions of forensic evidence. 'Columbo' was a classy, clever, witty show that challenged you to use your mind."
Still, there is a glimmer of hope, and Engel has adopted a never-say-die attitude. That glimmer is provided by dozens of countries where ageism isn't an issue for television viewers. Lt. Columbo has a strong foreign following, and he remains an iconic figure in Japan, Germany, England, France, Italy, Romania, Holland, Brazil, Ecuador and even Iran.
An American cable channel doesn't have the bucks to underwrite a "Columbo" movie, but Engel and Universal are pursuing foreign partnerships. If they can find significant funding overseas, they will go back to the American broadcast networks and again make the case for Columbo's last case.
"We owe it to the 'Columbo' fans, to Peter and to this great character to keep trying," Engel said. "We're attempting to put together the right blend of domestic and foreign partnerships. There's an ongoing effort to get this done."
Columbo's most famous catchphrase was, of course, "just one more thing." He pestered one supremely confident killer after another with that line. But there may not be "just one more thing" for Columbo and Peter Falk.
No killer, no matter how ingenious, ever defeated Lt. Columbo. The insidious combination of ageism and demographics might manage this trick. And that would be a crime.
Isn’t that just so WRONG?
He smokes cigars, drinks, he’s sexist (he always talks about “The boys back in the lab” ) he drives a car that causes global warming.
just one more thing...
that’s not a police dog, that’s a policeMANS dog.
the name is Lt. Columbo
what’s the first name ?
Lieutenant.
“If we never see this hackneyed show again it’ll be too soon.”
ROFL...Concur.
So make the movie a full feature film and see if it will sell on the Big Screen. Do it in the new 3d process as well. I’ll bet it will sell!
I’ll go see it! I loved the Columbo series and movies....(”oh just one more question....)
Never watched it.
The one with Leonard Nimoy as a surgeon who deliberately used the wrong stitches, and kiiled the lady that discovered it was the only episode when Columbo actually displays a bit of righteous temper!
” thru the medicare prescription drug plan”
Yeah, title the episode”Bush’s Fault!”
It’s a lie that Columbo doesn’t appeal to young people.
Our son was touring Harvard several years ago and got to meet Peter Falk, who was there to receive their famous “Hasty Pudding” Award.
Young people adore him.
We know who did it right from the start. But he must attract the killer into the wonderful web that he creates.
TV is pretty much hopeless in my opinion - a waste of time.
Generally, Columbo knows who the killer is right off. The fun is watching some arrogant POS hoisted on his own petard. You’re right, though, not always.
My understanding is, we boomers are supposedly set in our ways and won't change brands. But that's not true. I will frequently change brands if I am persuaded by an ad, a friend's recommendation, a cheaper price, a coupon, whatever. There are very few brands I am so tied to I will not switch.
He did! The supreme master.
WOW! They do have medication that can take care of that problem. Hmmm I would also guess you also hate your mother? .... lol
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