Watched it this morning for only the second time and it really is a bad episode. Over-acting all round including Peter which is strange seeing as he was executive producer also. Stuck with it, as always, but couldn't wait for it to end and that was an anti climax. Very staged and predictable episode.

Interesting about George Wendt and Dick Van Dyke, both primarily known for comedy. Wendt's Columbo appearance in "Strange Bedfellows" was pretty much a disappointment while Dick Van **** was in "Negative Reaction," one of the best episodes of the series. In all fairness, Dick Van **** had a much better script to work with.

I really wish this board's censor feature didn't automatically kick in everytime we mention the real name of Rob Petrie. :)

That said, "Strange Bedfellows" was for me, the most distasteful "Columbo" episode I've ever watched, because the chumminess Columbo seems to display with Rod Steiger just put me off completely.

Agree Eric, it was just too much for me to watch at times. One of the many late Columbo episodes that shouldn't have been made.

eric said...

"I really wish this board's censor feature didn't automatically kick in everytime we mention the real name of Rob Petrie. :)"


dick vandyke....

I actually don't mind S.B. There are a number of classic clues dotted about the episode -- I really like Columbo's 'hounding' of George Wendt, it's almost all good stuff.

Maybe the Steiger material is suspect but the Lieutenant does make it clear at the end that they're definitely not the same -- so that makes it okay in my book :-)!

KENOSHA.

I have a question -

At the end when Columbo uses the pay phone at the Bay Leaf to call the cop outside, he lifts up the Out of Order sign (knowing full well it was part of the trap) yet Graham didn't say anything or react, thus at that point realizing he was being set up.

KENOSHA!!!!!!! MAN!! that feels good!!!!

YES I ACTUALLY ENJOYED THIS EPISODE, THE MURDERS WERE ORIGINAL AND COLUMBOS CONTINUOUS HOUNDING OFF THE BIG GUY( CANT REMEMBER HIS NAME) WAS FUNNY TO WATCH.
YET I CANT BELIEVE THAT WHEN HE WENT INTO THAT BAR IN DISGUISE THAT HE STILL ORDERED HIS USUAL DRINK, SCOTCH AND SODA EASY ON THE SODA.