I’ve noticed a kind of running gag in Columbo where he’s talking to the suspect, their phone rings, and it’s for the Lt. Either it's someone at the office, his wife or sometimes another relative. I think it suggests careful planning on Columbo’s part. It can serve as a subtle hint to the suspect that he’s throughly investigating them. It’s also just another aspect of Columbo encroaching into the suspect’s life.

Very good, subtle point! The invention of
cell phones has ruined this.

I agree, excellent point. He is surrounding the murderer like a tiger surrounding his prey. He has the killer's various phone numbers, whether at their home or work, and he must be telling all these people who phone where he will be, so all these supposedly "I was just in the neighborhood" drop-ins are not that at all..but actually planned visits.

Great observations guys. I always loved it how Columbo gets calls at the killers work/house...but I never thought of the deeper meaning behind it...thanks for pointing it out.

I was watching “Requiem For A Falling Star” today and he pulls that on Nora Chandler. It got me to thinking about how many times I’ve seen it on Columbo and there’s definitely a pattern. It’s actually pretty funny from the audience and Columbo’s point of view. It was something that was always there but it just never registered
Some of Columbo’s opponents even betray a hint of irritation or dismay when they answer their phone only to discover the call is from the lieutenant’s wife or (even worse) from the police station. I would find it disconcerting if I had a guilty conscience.

I am not so fast to agree that there is a very deep meaning to this. I believe it was simply a running gag, a humorous part of Columbo's character.

Is this really a running joke. Are these phone calls not just a way of moving the plot along? If Columbo takes a call from his office in front of the suspect then the suspect gets to know how Columbo is slowly closing in on them or how their alibi is slowly being unpicked.

I agree that it has been done to comedic effect - Requiem for a Falling Star is proof of that.

www.20six.co.uk/jiltedbarfly

I think there was deeper meaning to it than just a running joke. Every nuance of Columbo's character and of his actions are put there for a reason. Yes there are times when it was just used as a comedic thing, like how Jilted pointed out, in Requiem, but in that one Columbo called his home..he didn't receive a call.

I think the telephone calls probably first showed up as a way to advance the plot(pre-cell phone) but they turned into a kind of subliminal gag. The telephone call Columbo receives in “Columbo Goes To College” is certainly staged since it gives Justin and Cooper information they use to incriminate themselves.

I always like the fact that, even NOW, Columbo probably wouldn't carry a cell phone. I just got one for the first time today. (And still have mixed feelings about it, just as he would!)

I agree with all the points so far...but in "Requiem," i actually got the impression that Columbo was annoyed with his department for calling at that point and letting Nora Chandler know too soon what department he was from.

When Nora says "which department?!" Columbo makes a slightly exasperated face, and when he gets on the phone with Homicide, he says, "...don't bother me now!"

This thread is so old that even I posted on it!!

Does anyone know of an episode where Columbo does NOT receive a phone call? The funniest one to me was in Murder in Malibu when the housekeeper comes in and she is dismissed by Jess, only to find out there is a phone call or the Lt.

hey paul!