I agree with Sabra, the "classy" killers look at Columbo and think yea right this guy is not in our league, and he always manages - much to the amazment of the killers - to somehow be in completly the same league - I just love it.
I'm not just trying to be different (let alone put anyone down), but whatever my reason for liking "elite" criminals on Columbo, it isn't that "how the mighty have fallen" reason, which I've never gone in for. (I spent months NOT watching the O.J. trial.)
1) orchestra conductor ("maestro")
2) botanist and orchids collector
3) manager of a sport empire
4) theatre actors
5) actress/star
6) surgeon
7) chess champions
8) heirs of a financial fortune