Columbo Likes the Nightlife (30 Jan. 2003)

Columbo gets a taste of the Los Angeles rave scene as he investigates the apparent suicide of a tabloid reporter.

Director:

Jeffrey Reiner

Writer:

Michael Alaimo

Stars:

Peter Falk, Matthew Rhys, Jennifer Sky

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Falk	...	Columbo
Matthew Rhys	...	Justin Price
Jennifer Sky	...	Vanessa
Douglas Roberts	...	Linwood Coben
Carmine Giovinazzo	...	Tony Galper
Julius Carry	...	Policeman
Steve Schirripa	...	Freddie (as Steven R. Schirripa)
John Finnegan	...	Sean Jarvis
Valerie Landsburg
Jorge Garcia	...	Julius
Patrick Cupo	...	Officer Rogers
Eve Kagan	...	Pink Feather Boa
Jamison Yang	...	Print Guy
Karen Maruyama	...	Maid
Ariel Llinas	...	Paramedic

Storyline

After her ex-boyfriend, mobster Tony Galper, dies in an accident in her home Vanessa turn to club owner Justin Prince to help her out. He disposes of the body for her but unknown to him, tabloid photographer Linwood Coben secretly photographed him getting rid of the body. He tells Prince he can have the negatives and prints for $250,000 and Prince agrees to pay him. They meet that evening but Prince has every intention of killing him, making it look like Coben committed suicide. Reviewing the crime scene, Colombo immediately has his doubts about the suicide. To solve Coben's murder however, he will also have to solve what happened to Galper.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | rave | reporter | mafia | blackmail | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2003 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Studios USA, Universal Network Television, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Columbo hasn't been promoted by the Los Angeles Police Department in several decades. He has been a lieutenant for at least 35 years.

---

Quotes

Lt. Columbo: This place really coulda been something. Too bad.

---

Connections

Follows Columbo: Butterfly in Shades of Grey (1993)

User Reviews

Forget Peter's age, just enjoy the usual Columbo formula!

I suppose the main reaction when watching this particular episode is the fact that it is very hard to ignore Peter Falk's age. He was 75 when this edition was recorded in 2002 (broadcast in January 2003), but he simply threw himself into his legendary role comfortably and easily. This is a fun episode to watch! It's certainly a more 'modernised' interpretation than previous editions, with fast directing and electric-style music in the background during some scenes.

When Vanessa Farrow (played expertly by Jennifer Sky) accidentally kills her ex-husband, it's down to nightclub owner Justin Price (Matthew Rhys) to dispose of the body. But a surprising twist to the story will certainly keep viewers hooked! In steps our favourite Lt and the fun begins! Columbo Likes the Nightlife still contains the legendary trademarks that make the series so popular, including the "just one more thing" phrase, the talk of his wife, as well as his ageless car, but I do fear that it may be ignored by many viewers simply because of Peter's age. He may have been in his mid 70s at the time, but Lt. Columbo doesn't have to be! It's not the best by any means, but is certainly watchable.

This edition marks a satisfactory enough conclusion to a brilliant detective drama that I've had the privilege to watch every single episode of! Peter has kept millions of viewers entertained as Columbo for nearly 40 years, and the shabby Lt will sure be missed! Nevertheless, Columbo will in no doubt be adored by the masses for many many years to come! 7/10