A mystery Columbo can't seem to crack

St. Paul Pioneer Press ^ | 05/07/2007 | MARK DAWIDZIAK

[period end of story]

At first I thought it was to be an actual episode: a case that he just couldn't solve.

I've always wondered why they couldn't make one episode that Columbo couldn't solve.

One that we the viewer could figure out, but he couldn't fit all the pieces together. If only just to be different.

[Fairview]

I can’t figure out why advertisers and networks want so urgently to appeal to younger viewers and consumers, when it’s us boomers who have far more money to spend.

[poobear]

They wonder why their ratings suck. They want to cater to the young crowd, fine. Reality TV seems to be the only thing watched these days.

I will admit, I watch ‘Gene Simmons Family Jewels’ ;D!

[alicewonders]

Yes, I know Hollywood makes plenty of money as it is, but I never could understand why they all ignore our age block (except for the E.D. commercials and pharmaceuticals). One of the reasons I don’t watch much TV anymore - it’s stupid!

I hope before the boomers pass away - we do a good thing and change the demographics curves to where older people are thought of as a desirable commodity too. We’re the ones that will have more free time & more money to spend.

Why are there no people in media that think this way?

[grey_whiskers]

The marketing gospel is that you are looking at expected lifetime revenue from a customer.

According to conventional wisdom, boomers
a) don't have as long left to live (and spend)
b) are set in their ways (will not convert to new brands)

Cheers!

[alicewonders]

I think conventional wisdom is wrong on this. We need to rewrite the book on conventional wisdom - it is SO outdated, don’t you think?

I think one of the reasons our society is declining is our worship of youth.

[an amused spectator]

Maybe Columbo could take a gay, twenty-something young lover.

That would certainly appeal to ABC's demographics...

[Carlucci]

Columbo was CSI before CSI was cool.

[nuconvert]

I can’t believe no one will take this project.
Well, I hope they find a company to do it, cuz I’ll definitiely watch.

[period end of story]

I hate that guy; can’t stand him.

I loved it when he got bounced fron “Celebrity Millionaire” at the $16,000 level.

I think the question was: Which of the 4 is not a pachyderm?
He got it wrong, and none of the other celebrities helped him out.

[Hatteras]

"...when it’s us boomers who have far more money to spend."

I don't think that's the case. I think if you survey just the TV watching crowd, the "Boomers" (40s to 50s) in that group may spend some money but across the board, we are more conservative in what we spend that money on. The kids take their parent's cash and spend on lots and lots of little stuff.

If that makes any sense...

Personally, I'd like to see Columbo, Quincy, Jessica Fletcher and Ben Matlock team up for a night of murder mystery solving. That could be interesting...... Okay, maybe not.

[AmericaUnited]

Columbo has always been one my favorite characters.

[grey_whiskers]

I think conventional wisdom is wrong on this. We need to rewrite the book on conventional wisdom - it is SO outdated, don’t you think?

I think one of the reasons our society is declining is our worship of youth.

I was not endorsing those views, btw. :-)

[redgolum]

My wife and I love Columbo. Heck, we literally grew up with them.

Surprised that ABC wouldn’t want it.

[mtbopfuyn]

Who’s the demographic that pays the cable bills, huh?

[JMK]

"Personally, I'd like to see Columbo, Quincy, Jessica Fletcher and Ben Matlock team up for a night of murder mystery solving. That could be interesting......"

The Mystery of the Early Bird Special!

[xenophiles]

As I understand it, the whole point of the character was that he did not look cool and sharp. He was short, rumpled, friendly, unsophisticated and unimpressive. He rambled, lost track of things and generally made the killers feel quite safe... at first. I would think that a white-haired Columbo fussing with his hearing aid and sighing about the fact that he has to avoid salt would be a beautiful match for a slick young hi-tek CEO who has committed the perfect murder.

[Malacoda]

Heck, I was born in ‘73 and I love “Columbo.” Some of my fondest memories are curled up on the couch next to my Ganny, waiitng for her to figure out whodunit.