Columbo

Columbo is a shrewd and exceptionally observant homicide detective whose trademarks include a rumpled beige raincoat, an unassuming demeanor, a cigar, a battered Peugeot 403, love of chili, and a frequently mentioned but unseen wife. He often leaves a room only to return with the catchphrase "Just one more thing" to ask a critical question.

The character and show, created by Richard Levinson and William Link, popularized the inverted detective story format (sometimes referred to as a "howcatchem"). This genre begins by showing the commission of the crime and its perpetrator; the plot, therefore, usually has no "whodunit" element of determining which of several suspects committed the crime. It instead revolves around how a perpetrator known to the audience will finally be caught and exposed. The clues Columbo finds to help him solve the case are sometimes revealed to the audience beforehand, but often not until the episode's end.

According to Alex Clayton and Sarah Moore, the "essential features of the Columbo villain" are "highness and mightiness. He needs to have some combination of wealth, power, prestige and influence." The casting of well known performers, such as Donald Pleasence and Dick Van Dyke, as villains ensures this connection. As the series' homicide suspects are often affluent members of high society, this has led some critics to see class conflict as an element of each story. Suspects carefully cover their tracks and are initially dismissive of Columbo's circumstantial speech and apparent ineptitude. They become increasingly unsettled as his superficially pestering behavior teases out incriminating evidence. His relentless approach often leads to self-incrimination or outright confession.

Episodes of Columbo are between 70 and 98 minutes long, and they have been broadcast in 44 countries. The show has been described by the BBC as "timeless" and remains popular today.