My question is, when does he have cream with his coffee and when does he drink it black? I don't think he likes it black, I think he only takes it black when he's on a diet.

Sorry I don't have the episode-references handy where I am, but Columbo once said he takes it "hot, strong and black - none of that de-caf stuff!" But we have also seen him take a touch of cream. :coffee:

In the Episode Forgotten Lady, I know he asks for his coffee black.

One of the funniest scenes I can think of in Columbo: He gets jipped-out of his coins in the coffee machine (in the hallway at the police station I think?), and he looks toward the sky and curses the heavens with a FANTASTIC show of raw frustration and rage. He REALLY wanted a coffee right there, and the machine just took his money and said "nah, man - not now". Too good.

I think that was a candy machine in A CASE OF IMMUNITY that frustrates the good lieutenant. There was a coffee machine in UNEASY LIES THE CROWN that stole his money, frustrates him and then starts working as he starts to walk away only to keep pouring out coffee after he takes his cup out, so he just walks off with his coffee and lets the little window fill up.