This episode first aired on January 10 1994.
The tie Fielding Chase wears in the opening scene is the same tie that Lauren Staton bought Columbo in ‘It’s All In The Game’.
Fielding Chase’s gorgeous home sat on 22 acres and boasted 9 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. Built in 1983, it was owned by Elvis Presley.
This episode was written by Peter S. Fischer who also wrote such standout episodes as “Publish or Perish”, “A Friend in Deed”, and “Negative Reaction”.
Dennis Dugan, who directed this episode, would go on to direct Happy Gilmore (1996).
My thoughts on this episode in chronological viewing order…
He’s the Joe Rogan of 90’s talk radio!
“The environmental chicken littles who scare people like you.” Al Gore predicted that 20 years later, the Arctic would be ice-free. Devastating. Prediction for him.
Fielding lives in a castle!
Field deep-sixes his daughter’s book. What a jerk!
“What’re you going to do, kill me?”
Uttered in front of witnesses no less.
He tells his daughter her book just wasn’t good enough and its poor quality might be used against him by his enemies. Not sure how but I guess better safe than sorry.
This is a well-planned murder. The handkerchief is a bit of an obvious touch.
Ah, intro Columbo and his backfiring Peugeot.
“Not at eyewitness, sir. An EARwitness.”
Columbo considering one of those cancer-causing phones. Don’t do it, Columbo!
Columbo yukking it up with the cop who my wife would describe as “an easy laugher”.
“Jerry was gay, lieutenant.” Dum dum daaaaah!
Columbo questions how Fielding knew the victim was shot in the back. Fielding’s explanation, that Jerry would have mentioned seeing someone over the phone if he was facing his murderer, is clearly hogwash. No doubt Columbo has already made him his prime suspect.
“Oh, right. I completely forget I conveniently had the entire murder recorded.”
Shatner is absolutely brilliant in this episode.
At first, she couldn’t find the extra key to his place but, later, she found it. Hmmmm.
“These rock guys they give me an earache,”says Columbo. But in “Murder of a Rock Star” he seemed to be enjoying his wife’s singing.
It was her father’s idea that she work that afternoon. Hmmmm. The circumstantial evidence continues to mount.
Love this bit of Columbo being mistaken for a homeless extra. “Nice shoes. I like the touch.”
“For heaven’s sake please don’t try to act.” All extras should heed this advice.
Columbo ruins the shot – just like he did in “Fade in to Murder”, another episode guest-starring William Shatner as the murderer.
Aha! Dry pancake make-up on the discarded handkerchief and the gun. Again, shades of “Fade in to Murder”.
His lover has an alibi!
Why would Fielding ask this woman about the Senator’s illegitimate love child, thereby tipping his hand before the interview? More importantly, why, after learning Fielding has this information, does she not tip the Senator off before his appearance on the radio show?
10-12 million listeners a night!
Columbo on getting a Fielding’s autograph for his cousin Dominic: “He’’ll get a kick out of this. Dominic, he doesn’t have much of a life.”
“Anything I can’t stand is lukewarm tea.” Not me. I love my tea lukewarm. Who the hell can drink hot tea?
Oh, his daughter is angered by his decision to publish an unsubstantiated story.
Fielding discovers Columbo in his office. A classic Columbo move.
The view out the office window is the same phony backdrop from the film set.
I like this bit of Columbo having to put out the flaming waste paper basket while never getting to the point.
Columbo suspects the handkerchief was planted.
“There is, sir, just one more thing.”
“Lieutenant, there’s always just one more thing. Do you have a problem with short term memory? Perhaps you should consult with a physician.”
Great.
Phone company has no record of Fielding making the call from his home phone. Fielding clarifies he never said he made it from home. He made it from his car. “That would explain it!”says Columbo. Would explain the four minute window between shot and call to 911. Columbo is relieved he was able to explain it for him.
“Well, well, well. The ubiquitous lieutenant Columbo.”
This is kind of a sad and sweet story about him taking in the young girl after her mother dies. Adds some depth to his character.
He ambushes the Senator. Again, I don’t understand the point of the previous restaurant scene outside of serving as a wholly expository somewhat illogical beat.
His daughter is going to New York. Now he’s done it!
Columbo claims he has a suspect who says Fielding offered him 10k to kill Jerry. Off to the station they go!
Never trust a cyclist.
Love this suspenseful beat of Fielding going for the gun in his trunk.
Oh, here comes the bike cavalry!
Did Columbo really need to bring Fielding to this location and set up the whole bit? Couldn’t he have just told him all this about the phone back at his place? No, I guess it wouldn’t have proven quite as dramatically impactful I suppose.
Yes, I had some logic issues with this episode. And, yes, I did find Shatner’s ever-changing mustache kind of maddening. Still, Falk and Shatner are terrific, especially in the scenes they share and there are several fun beats. The Gotcha set-up is wholly unnecessary but hugely entertaining nevertheless. Even though some Columbo aficionados rank this one in the middle of the pack when it comes to New Columbo, I’d rank it as one of my favorites.
P.S. Can someone explain the title to me?
Next episode, Columbo goes undercover in the appropriately titled “Undercover!
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When I received an email informing me of the next Columbo rewatch I glanced at the subject line ”Butterfly in Shades of Grey”, and my brain only registered Shadeds of Grey. My first thought was “wow, thats a bit spicy”, and then I opened the email and had a good chuckle to myself.
I’m behind because of Thanksgiving. I’ll try today or tomorrow to watch the show. I’ll be glad to see the holidays in my rearview mirror.
Because X is so ridiculous lately, here is my comment that apparently nobody but me can see!
“I liked this one. Shatner’s mustache was very distracting. That’s all I saw. Five minutes on the crime scene & Columbo has his man. I called it! Knew the call logs and tower signals would haunt Chase. Columbo yelling “Mr. Chase!! Mr. Chase!!” from front gate was too funny. 🙂 ”
Did not take many notes. But this Ep had some funny moments and dialog. Like for example:
“Shot in back”
“How did you know?”
“He might have said something.”
I got the impression Falk and Shatner were good friends in real life. I’m beginning to absolutely LOVE Williaam Shatner and his body of acting work. I think he is really good in everything he does.
Columbo is full of shenanigans! Did you see him bust out his little box of raisins at the funeral home? He just can’t seem to help himself! Lol
Yes, loved the “Mr. Chase!” bit. There was a lot to like about this episode.
Great review! I didn’t have many notes on this one.
It was creepy the way Fielding kept Vicki under this thumb.
That house was ginormous! Great cast and the murder plan was a good one. If any other detective had been investigation then Fielding would have gotten away with the murder.
This episode shows how technology has changed since the 90’s (which seems like yesterday, to me). The current tech. could triangulate his phone call to the victim’s house.
I was a bit taken aback by Columbo’s awe of satellite tv and cell phones. We had both of those in the 90’s.
It was a good episode!