I just figured something out in Swan Song.
Johnny Cash and Peter have a discussion about the arrangement of Tommy Brown's new recording, Columbo
Mentions that he spoke to his arranger Nick Solacanto, this is a anagram of the director's name Nick Colasanto.
What do you think?
Anyone else pick that one up? Or am I a bit slow on the uptake.
Good catch though, and thanks for the comment, which made me search. The search not only turned up the answer to your question, but also that past thread mentions the real director was the actor who played Coach on Cheers.