Talk about impromtu ironies ... some local broadcast channel is running DM in the background as I visit a Columbo forum to discover a message referring to it, but in my view, it doesn't even compare.

It's just more current and tailored to a younger demographic, which could explain the gap in appeal. I don't watch the show with any regularity, but I've seen enough of it to know it's better than 98% of the trash aired on television 100% of the time.

It also showcased stars from other popular series, namely Quincy (Jack Klugman), and M*A*S*H (just about the whole cast), and that can be very intriguing.

I enjoyed Van **** and his son and admired how well they worked together in their respective roles, but in no way can these two shows be judged on equal terms (except for the tie we know that binds them).

However, as in any post-1990 era production, the neo-political messaging it delivers TURNS ME OFF. I mean, celebrated futility is part of why I detest Hollywood, but the idea sure appeals to the bigger hearts and smaller minds the ratings.

Remind you of anyone in particular? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Never having watched a full episode of "Diagnosis: Murder," I have to ask....

What neo-political messages does it give? I am enjoying this discussion but have no idea what you meant by that last part.

Its butt-headed "political correctness" Laura. That's what it refers to.

stuart asked.........
"Can you please all go out and ask as many people you know which they prefer and post a message on here saying that columbo come out on top! By my counting in this country, he is 55 - 42 down!"

gee...i don't think i even know that many people.. ...but i'll give it my best shot

Stuart
I was quite surprised to read your bets on which is best.I'm afraid that as far as I'm concerned its no contest. Columbo beats Diagnosis Murder hands down.Its just not in the same league is it. Nick.

I think everyone in the UK just tunes into DM on the off-chance that DvD might reprise his oh-so-accurate cockney accent from Mary Poppins

Reason why, dm is amazing!!!,
and to correct the guy before the reason why its more popular isnt because its aired more,
its aired more because its popular,

I've never gotten attached to it, in spite of Dick Van Dyke. I know (or think I know) that, like Matlock, its audience is always being labeled as one particular group (I don't have to tell you which one), and I always hate it when that's done with an entertainer or piece of entertainment- elderly audience, "gay following" etc. - whether I love, or hate, or even KNOW the thing or person it's about. About the only episode I became familiar with was a partially comical "Diabolique" variation, with Sally Kellerman and Victoria Jackson as the two murderesses. (It could afford to be largely comical, partly because, as in "Diabolique," the victim wasn't really killed.) Anyway, the two of them made it a good one.

I'm a very big fan of Dick Van you-know-what, from way back -- really, I am. But I really detest "Diagnosis: Murder", from my admittedly minimal exposure to it. TV for complete dummies.

I once had the misfortune to catch the "Dx: Murder" ripoff of "Now You See Him", which stole the same idea of the kller being a magician who supposedly was inside a tank of water, on stage, throughout the murder. Here is one of the many differences between the 2 shows:

"Now You See Him" at least established that, while the magician is supposedly marinating in the water-tank, the audience is entertained by his daughter, prancing about in a skimpy costume doing sleight-of-hand tricks.

But in the Dick Van you-know-what version, we are asked to believe that the audience just stares at a still tank of water for about 15 minutes, while the killer is off doing the murder. What audience would put up with that abuse of their patience?

How stupid and unbelievable can it get. Stupid, stupid, stupid.