Last night... Me: I'm super cold.  Hope I'm not coming down with something. Akemi: I'm super hot.  Hope I'm not coming down with something. Starting something new!  Today, I kick off 100 Supervillain Stories with "Triumph and Torment"! Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange enter Mephisto's realm in an all-out effort to free the soul of…

Brown Butter and Garlic Wings? Kokusan barbecue beef ribs? Wagyu A5 brisket? Cornbread chili? Buffalo chicken and Taco Nachos? BEST: Wagyu A5 brisket WORST: Strawberry shortcake yakisoba

This episode first aired December 15, 1971 The drive-in burger joint where Columbo and Peter Hamilton grab lunch was also featured in the original Star is Born and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Actress Susan Clark, who played Beth Chadwick, was a relative unknown at the time she landed this role. According to Clark: “When…

In no hurry to go out... Maitake mushroom (his favorite!) Japanese sweet potato... Sharky working on chapter 5 of his memoirs... Happy Dreams...

All You Need Is Kill = Edge of Tomorrow (Originally named after the Japanese light novel upon which it was based. The movie's tagline - Live. Die. Repeat. - is considered by many fans to be the superior title) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? = Blade Runner (Based on Philip K. Dick's 1968 science…

This episode first aired November 17, 1971 This episode features the quickest murder in the show's run, occurring within one minute of the opening. The exterior shot of the home in the show's opening was also used as for the Drysdales' house in The Beverly Hillbillies. Dale Kingston's apartment, established in the night establishers, was…

1 - 3000 = Pretty Woman (The original version of Pretty Woman was quite dark. 3000 was the amount paid for her "services"). 2 - Anhedonia = Annie Hall (A disorder marked by an inability to feel pleasure. It was decided that no one would know what the hell this was so the title was…

My recent purchase.  Can you identify the six paintings? Can you guess these 5 famous films by their original titles? 3000 Anhedonia Black Mask Coma Guy Story of Your Life

This episode first aired October 27, 1971 Major General Hollister's house in this episode actually belonged to Peter Falk and is located in Newport Beach, California. At one point, when Columbo flashes his badge, the first name "Frank" can be glimpsed. Series creators Levinson and Link later denied ever giving Columbo a first name. This…

Tasty barracuda! Boxed in!  Sharky was caught looking for leftover croissants... On thing Sharky won't eat - cucumber! Feeling playful! Classic quail foot scratch Trying to get a seat at the table...  

Network notes - Columbo... Studio notes - Blade Runner... Studio notes - Back to the Future... Network notes - various (from the book A Martian Wouldn't Say That)... "Please do not sensationalize the dead gopher." "I think you're making a mistake having so many French involved in the production of Les Miserables." "We're concerned about…

Our Columbo rewatch continues with... "Death Lends a Hand" This episode first aired October 6, 1971. Even though this was the first episode produced following the two pilots, it was the second episode to air as "Murder By the Book" was deemed superior. I disagree. This episode earned show creators Richard Levinson and William Link…

What do you say? Conversely, what is a country you have long considered visiting that you have recently wiped from your travel wish list? For me, it's Sweden. Meanwhile, in other news today... Plus ca change as they say. Well, Day #6 of my Montreal stay and these dogs are driving me absolutely nuts.  If…