  columbo is the best televisual programme ever created, its even better than neighbours. In case anyone doesnt know, columbo is a murder detective show, staring Peter Falk as the seemingly bumbling Lieutenant Columbo. It ranged from the late sixties all the way upto the late 90's on and off. each episode (or T.V movie) lasted about an hour and a half with the basic formula of a murder at the start, (usually we the viewers are privvy to whodunnit), then columbo comes in and digs and digs until he gets enough evidence to put the killer away. simple eh? not so. there is never any violence and little "action", where columbo succeeds is in the brilliance of the storylines (real sleuth style scripts)and the characterisation of columbo played by the impeccable Falk. The quirkiness of the lieutenant (we never learn his first name)provides the comedy which is subtle and all the better for it. There is a tremendous back story which is well maintained. above all the habits and manerisms of columbo never cease to keep me giggling.
here is a list of some of the idiosyncrasies you should watch out for next time columbo is shown on T.V. : "just one more thing..." he looks astounded by some "new" piece of technology, like the VCR. he mentions his wife he gets an autograph/souveneir for her. he wants to take up the profession of the person he's talking to he gives some lame excuse why he hasnt taken up the profession, like "...but my thumbs are too big". he uses the phrase "just tying up loose ends" he refers to the "boys downtown" as being "real strict". he uses the phrase "just a formality". he uses the phrase "sorry to bother you". he gets mistaken for a tramp, and then introduced as the leader of the investigation.
he expresses cultural patheticness (like mentioning in an art gallery that his wife is a painter, and then mentioning how she gets the "ones with the numbers on them that you paint with the right colors"). he rubs his bottom eyelid with his index finger. he gets a phone call at someone else's house/office there are tonnes more but my favourite is his way with food- just watch it and you'll know what i mean! 
