Another fun episode, but Dabney Coleman's performance is a little too silly at times; it seems his character became a big time lawyer by being very childish all the time? There is yet another supporting role for Peter Falk's wife Shera Danese, one that is not very memorable, to be honest. The small part for Tad Horino as the 'gardener for the rich and famous' (just today I coincidentally saw - concerning the recent suicide of Cathriona White - a photo of and a short bit on of a real-life gardener for the rich and famous for forty years, Frank Nakama. Could this Columbo character be based on him?) was short but sweet. Another small part was here for Grant Heslov as 'lab technician, including a high speed field trip; fun also.
And so, this episode has many short sequences with lots of supporting parts (Sondra Currie, Julian Stone, Little Richard, etc.) that make it a somewhat chaotic experience. And, again, the clever killer not noticing the different brands of champagne (among other details) seems a little contrived, but then, where would Columbo be without such flawed culprits?
6 out of 10.
And so, this episode has many short sequences with lots of supporting parts (Sondra Currie, Julian Stone, Little Richard, etc.) that make it a somewhat chaotic experience. And, again, the clever killer not noticing the different brands of champagne (among other details) seems a little contrived, but then, where would Columbo be without such flawed culprits?
6 out of 10.