I about puked when I saw they put out a remake of The Pink Panther. Steve Martin is a great comedian, but why would anyone try to imitate a man of Peter Sellers' caliber?

Although I would have the same reaction as the others on this thread, it does make me think of who could possibly follow Peter Falk. Every character that I can recall George Clooney playing has been a sharp, snappy kind of guy, too smooth around the edges to be Columbo.

I was thinking of Paul Giamatti.

I saw Steve Martin's "The Pink Panther" in a packed theatre. The place was rocking from laughter. I don't think Steve Martin attempted to "imitate" Peter Sellers. I think he was simply playing the part of the Inspector.

I suppose I'm lucky in that I'm able to separate actors from characters. Peter Sellers was great as Inspector Clouseau, but was even better in other movies such as "Being There" and "Dr. Strangelove". Peter Sellers' Inspector was hysterical, but I also know that Steve Martin's Inspector was also hysterical.

Now I have to go ahead and say that I could very easily accept another actor in the role of Columbo. However, that actor would actually have to be good in the role. I wouldn't accept a bad actor, or a good actor's "bad take" on the character. Perhaps my ability to accept different actors in the same role comes from my enjoyment of programs such as "Bewitched" in which different actors portrayed one of the main characters, Darrin Stephens. An even greater example of a program which has changed it's lead actor, (and I and millions have had no problem accepting the change) is the British Sci-Fi series, "Doctor Who". That program has had 10 - that's TEN different actors portraying the main character over it's 28 year history.

I've posted previously that I could see someone such as Joe Pesci ("Casino" / "My Cousin Vinnie") play the part of Columbo. I think he could be terrific in the part. However, I would be much more wary of someone such as Tom Arnold playing the character. Ewww. I just grossed myself out with that name! I have trouble thinking of George Clooney as being able to convince me if he were to play Columbo. But he is a good enough actor that I would at least be willing to give him a try.

headache..i remember you saying that you enjoyed the pink panther with steve martin. i haven't seen it...i should probably rent it. i know my husband and i would both enjoy it.
i am surprised that you would say that you could easily accept another actor as columbo...but the reasons you stated were quite convincing.
and i have posted this before also, but i guess if i had to pick someone i would pick robert downey jr. i think, from the movies i have seen him in, he could make a wonderful columbo.

I agree with headache. I think Joe Pesce would probably do an excellent job as Columbo. His role in My Cousin Vinny already has some elements in common with Columbo, and his physical appearance is also similar. He's also a superb actor.

Pesci as Columbo . . . interesting. I could just imagine him talking to Mr. Rowe and calling Justin and Cooper "yutes".

Mr. Rowe, in his condescending manner: "What's a yute?"

Even though I wouldn't really want to see someone else play the part, one person who occured to me is Kevin Pollack. I thought of him because he does a very good Peter falk imitation (not that an actual IMITATION would be called for). But THEN it occured to me that he has a knack for playing "quirky" characters in a way that isn't OVERDONE, just like Peter Falk himself.