Columbo Explains the Seventies: A TV Cop’s Pop Culture Journey

First-time author Stewart (a contributor to the Columbophile blog) looks at social issues—including feminism, racial representation, sex, technology, and politics—through the eyes of the classic 45 episodes of the beloved 1970s TV series Columbo. The iconic detective series never directly dealt with these subjects, as Columbo was created as a salute to classic mystery fiction rather than realistic police dramas. Stewart focuses most of his innovative and fun essays on the 45 “classic-era” episodes from 1971-78 rather than the 24 additional episodes of the rebooted series (running 1989-2003). Although there’s a splendid chapter on the unconventional Patrick McGoohan—who played four killers on Columbo and directed five episodes—and his penchant for rewriting later Columbo scripts, to their detriment. Stewart’s essays are breezy, thoughtful, and well-researched. These essays are entertaining, and while copiously sourced in the back of the book, they’re always energetic and enthusiastically written with affection and assurance.