How Columbo Became Unlike Anything Else on TV (a mini documentary)

How did two childhood friends create one of the greatest detective shows in television history? (Columbo) In this video, we explore how writers Richard Levinson and William Link transformed the traditional whodunit into the “howcatchem”, and why knowing the murderer’s identity made Columbo more compelling, not less. Welcome to One More Thing, a channel dedicated to Columbo—the iconic detective series starring Peter Falk. We deep dive into the craft that makes this classic show so engaging and enduring, offering fresh perspectives on why it still holds up 50 years later🔍🧥 Whether you're a long-time fan or discovering the Lieutenant for the first time, you’re very welcome here! 💌 Timestamps⏱️ 00:00 = Intro 01:12 = Two Boys Who Loved Mysteries 03:06 = Learning the Rules of Television 6:38 = The Strike That Created An Opening 11:42 = Falk - When Columbo Became Columbo 18:02 = How the Formula Moved Suspense 21:40 = A Partnership That Changed Television 24:34 = Was It Luck? 25:35 = Conclusion 👍 Like if you enjoyed this investigation 💬 Comment with your favourite Columbo moment 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into TV’s greatest detective ☕Support the channel: buymeacoffee.com/Onemorethingtv 🌠If you’re watching this vid within the first 7 days of uploading, hit that hype button! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAQ's ❓What’s your favourite Columbo episode? I have several -- but 'How to Dial A Murder' has a special place in my heart. ROSEBUD! ❓ How often do you upload? Every other week! ❓ How did you get into Columbo? My mum and grandma used to watch it every Sunday, I used to think it was so boring!!! ❓Is your voice AI? Nope! ❓Do you cover every episode or just themes? Mostly themes, scenarios, and patterns across the series — but I may also break down individual episodes when the idea fits. ❓ Do you take video requests? Absolutely, leave your suggestions in the comments! 🧥🧥🧥 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Socials 📱 Reddit: @OneMoreThing_tv Email: [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *I do not own any rights to the clips of Columbo used, included only for entertainment purposes under the 'Fair Dealing' section of the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988* Music: Epidemic Sound Interviews: https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/william-link?chapter=1 chapters 1-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdi6yuHt8Ec&t https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhJUoCf2nUI&pp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAheaK9z400 Lt. Columbo (Peter Falk) Roasts Frank Sinatra (1978) Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK7ujfd-KZ0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8TUSsqWCTM&pp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJoOn0Z_ces&pp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK7ujfd-KZ0&pp Image credits mentioned in video, + below ‘Vamp till Ready’ article - https://almanac.upenn.edu/archive/v02pdf/n02/110155.pdf Draft letter - pinterest ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sub count: 13,803 (thank you!!!) #columbo #williamlink #richardlevinson #donaldpleasance #characterstudy #detective Old detective TV shows, Columbo Video Essay #videoessay #columbovideoessay #columboanalysis #gotcha #peterfalk #williamlink (A newfound respect for all docu-style video essayists as this took an eternity to edit)