365 Days of Columbo: October 6th

October 6th is a fortuitous date in Columbo history, two episodes premiered on this date.

Death Lends a Hand

On October 6th, 1971, the second episode of Season 1 Death Lends a Hand made it's debut. Starring Robert Culp in the first of his four guest apperances, and Ray Milland in the first of his two.

Death Lends a Hand was actually the first Columbo episode of Season 1 filmed, but it aired second because the studio thought Murder by the Book was a stronger opener.

Negative Reaction

Three years later, on October 6th, 1974 the second episode of season 4 made its appearance. Negative Reaction starred Dick Van Dyke in a rare appearance as a baddie. He plays famous photographer Paul Galesko who has tired of his overbearing wife and kills her...setting up reformed ex-con Alvin Deschler in the process.


Good performances by all and while it might not make my top 10 episodes it's still pretty good.

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