I managed to get a copy of this episode and I watched it last night. I've gotta say that it kind of gets a

I was not overly impressed with the plot. And Columbo would have to get a ton (and I mean TON) of approval before doing all that digging in the yard. So on a scale of 1-10, it gets about 3 1/2.

Anyone else care to comment on it? I'm interested to see if I'm alone in my opinions.

I kinda liked it because it was different in the sense that we were led to believe that Diedre Hall was dead.

Not a great ep but better than many of the later series shows.

Spending $175 for that bottle of champagne in Murder of a Rock Star looks cheap compared to this digging.

Kind of like Blueprint for Murder.

I thought episode was entertaining.

This brings up an interesting question: how much money would a public agency/city spend to help solve a murder? What if the building had been put up before Columbo solved the crime, would the city of LA simply say it's not cost effective or what?

I quite liked this one as it does pull the rug out from under your feet but then ends up back on track. Also I really liked the final scene where Columbo asks to make the call and phones the pager, very nice. Overall, I would give this an 8/10

I give it a 7.8436 out of 10.0

Ya know it's funny -- I've always rejected the post 78 episodes as nothing more than lame overkill, and it's observations like these that prove how correct I am. I've only seen two of them myself (College and Ashes) but who needs to gag on more than that to reach the same conclusion?

I can tell you this ... if they dare to do another one (and I very much doubt they will), then it shall be the last salute to Falk's humidor.

"Columbo Cries Wolf" was one of the best ABC years episodes. I give it at least an 8 out of 10.

Good to see another Johnny Carson reference, making sure that "Forgotten Lady" was not the only one.

karl said...
"Ya know it's funny -- I've always rejected the post 78 episodes as nothing more than lame overkill, and it's observations like these that prove how correct I am. I've only seen two of them myself (College and Ashes) but who needs to gag on more than that to reach the same conclusion?"

karl, i haven't seen too many of the abc columbos. and the ones i have seen have not thrilled me all that much. BUT the only problem is that i cannot judge all of the 'newer' episodes on the limited few that i have seen.
yes, the ones i have seen have been sub-par for me..but i truly can't make a judgement on all of them because i am not familar with them....

I've never seen a single episode of "Prison Break", therefore it obviously SUCKS!

I've seen only a single episode of "24" and I wasn't impressed. Therefore every episode obviously SUCKS!

I've seen only one episode of "Lost" and I wasn't impressed. Therefore, every episode obviously SUCKS!

Do we get the concept here? Basing an opinion of an entire "era" of 24 "Columbo" episodes by the judgement of only 2 of those episodes is a clear indication that the person forming the opinion is a complete idiot.

A small number of the ABC episodes were quite bad. Most of the episodes were of quality above that of the average made-for-tv movies. A good number of the ABC "Columbo" episodes were SUPERIOR television, and SUPERIOR "Columbo", far-outdoing several of the original NBC episodes. "Columbo Cries Wolf" was one of those VASTLY SUPERIOR episodes.

Now then, someone mentioned that getting permission to tear up a yard looking for a body would take a whole lot of doing. Someone else said it would probably never happen. All I need do is remind you of what just happened a month or so ago concerning the FBIs search for Jimmy Hoffa. They tore up a farm looking for the body, and destroyed an incredibly expensive horse stable and the results were zero.

headache, why oh why am i not surprised that i would see a post from you on here??