Observation: "Coach" From Cheers Directs Two Episodes
Nicholas Colasanto, or "Coach" from the successful TV show Cheers, also directed two episodes of Columbo, specifically "Etude in Black" and "Swan Song."
Re: Observation: "Coach" From Cheers Directs Two Episodes
Yep, that was him. For a time there were rumors that Etude was "really" directed by Cassavetes, with Colasanto just a figurehead, but those stories were all swatted down by multiple people who were there and witnessed Colasanto's directing skills in action. Nick was multi-talented!
Re: Observation: "Coach" From Cheers Directs Two Episodes
You might find it interesting to know that in "Swan Song", as you pointed out that Nick Colasanto directed, there is a scene where Columbo says to Tommy Brown, "I spoke to your arranger." and Brown replies, "Nick Solecanto?" I'd say it was obvious a little play on the director's last name, right?
Re: Observation: "Coach" From Cheers Directs Two Episodes
I just noticed the connection between "Nick Solecanto" and "Nicholas Colasanto" myself (on perhaps my twentieth viewing of "Swan Song"), and this is the only place on the web I could find any mention of it when I tried to confirm that the link was intentional.