Was it simply columbo's naivity (sorry i cant spell) that resulted in Hammond getting out of the apartment. Certainly he doesnt look at all bothered by Hammond getting away and was very open about who it was at the door.
Also in this episode Columbo skips the que to get the info about the speed camera but in Blueprint he waits in line for ages and gets the runaround. What changed.
The little richard song is annoying and incredibly pointless (the whole scene of him singing) and i still find it hilarious at the end when Columbo presents the search warrent, reads Creighton his rights, and even asks him what the card says.