I know this age old debate has been knocking around since Prescription: Murder but for those still not convinced about Columbo's first name here is the close up evidence and some interesting info about the history and mystery surrounding his first name.

Columbo's first name is never explicitly revealed in the series. When pressed, he would insist that it was "Lieutenant". Several sources cite the name "Philip Columbo", variously claiming that the name was either in the original script for Prescription: Murder or that it was visible on his police badge. Peugeot even ran an advertising campaign that mentioned "Lt. Philip Columbo" as the most famous driver of the Peugeot convertible.

The name "Philip Columbo" was, in fact, invented by Fred L. Worth, author of The Trivia Encyclopedia, who planted the information in his book (and its sequels) in an attempt to catch out anyone who might try to violate his copyright. Fred's ploy was, however, only partially successful.

In 1984 he filed a $300 million lawsuit against the distributers of the board game Trivial Pursuit, claiming that they had sourced their questions from his books; even to the point of reproducing mis-prints and typographical errors. The ace up his sleeve was "Philip Columbo", which appeared in a game question, despite the name being an invention of Fred's.

Solved! The signature of Lt. Frank Columbo Trivial Pursuit did not deny they sourced material from Fred's books (amongst others) and submitted that copying from a single source is plagiarism, but compiling information from several sources is called research. The judge agreed, ruling in favour of Trivial Pursuit and the case was thrown out of court.

The matter of Columbo's name was finally laid to rest by the release of the first series on DVD. In the episode Dead Weight where Columbo introduces himself to General Hollister, the audience is shown a close-up of his badge, complete with the signature of "Frank Columbo".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Columbo-Signature.jpg

And with the above post, it is official, Columbo's first name is ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

P. S. The signature on the I. D. in "Dead Weight" is fuzzy and could possibly be "Hank". I'm gonna stick with Randy. He's Randy Columbo. There. FIN.

Lou....Lou T.

There's a simple explanation for all that. Columbo's young nephew Frank had been playing with Columbo's badge, so his indulgent uncle made a copy of his own ID card (but blanked out the signature) and gave it, along with a wallet and tin badge, to his little nephew so he could play Homocide Detective all the time.

However, the absent-minded Columbo accidentally took Frank's fake badge, leaving Frank in possession of the REAL Columbo's ID. The Lieutenant didn't realize that the switch had occurred until after returning from the General's house, at which time he got his REAL badge, on which is written his actual and still unknown first name. No doubt that comical scene was left on the cutting-room floor during the editing process.

I'd say this mystery is far from solved.

Darned good explanation!! Is there an ep that mentions a nephew named Frank?

The problem with this theory is that we see the same ID card in "Matter of Honor" and it still says
Frank.

The problem with everyone's theory is that Columbo never had a first name. As far as i can remember the creators never gave him one at the beginning and it has since stayed that way except for people who write books, cards, games and fake i.d. cards calling him Philip, Frank, Bob, Tina, Betty or whatever else sells these products.

For some unfathomable reason this is seen as unacceptable for some and that he must and it therefore must be known, its not. That simple, accept it and get on with life.

Now that was said with lots of love and not in any way as an insult to anyone at all just sick of this topic.

Rant over, im going to calm down.

God bless,

Matthew

That was funny Matthew!
Yes, I think it is time to put this puppy to bed.....well....at least until next month where it will come up again!
But Mat, I am liking your idea of 'Betty Columbo'....it has a nice ring to it!!

ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Till next month

Ok Paul see you then! Have a good nap!

I wonder if this wins the most boring pointless thread topic ever (not this one thread but them all). Even seeing it makes me sigh and shake my head. Let it die.

Maybe we should have a big flashing sign that pops up when you come into the site making it perfectly clear.

God bless,

Matthew

Oh mat...but then we wouldn't be able to see Paul's ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz's!

Or maybe Ted could do something with the censors so that "first name" appears as "***** ****"

The name as it appears in the mystery photo is none other than *drum roll*...........

..........................


......................................



......................Joseph. Joseph Columbo. Sounds weird. Joe Columbo that's it. So they actually never say it in the entire show? It's very clear in the photo. But the last name on there doesn't look like "Columbo".

the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, birds fly south for the winter, cherry trees bloom in the spring, and people on the Columbo forum have this discussion.

thank you for helping me feel safe tonight, in this sometimes unpredictable world.
laura