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The Best Episodes of Columbo Season 1

Every episode of Columbo Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Columbo Season 1!

Binge this in 8h 49m·Peaking at 7.8/10
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Columbo Season 1 Episode 2 - Death Lends a Hand
    7.8/10(4622 votes)

    S1:E2

    A private investigator kills his client's wife after she threatens to expose his blackmail scheme. The client then hires the detective to assist Columbo in the search for the killer.

    Director:Bernard L. Kowalski
    Writers:William Link, Richard Levinson

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  2. Columbo Season 1 Episode 1 - Murder by the Book
    7.7/10(6354 votes)

    S1:E1

    One member of a mystery-writing-team decides to kill his more talented partner when the better writer decides to go solo.

    Director:Steven Spielberg
    Writer:Steven Bochco

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  3. Columbo Season 1 Episode 4 - Suitable for Framing
    7.7/10(4407 votes)

    S1:E4

    An art critic, Dale Kingston, kills his uncle for his valuable collection of paintings. All the clues lead to the dead man's first wife. Can Columbo correct the Lieutenant's error before it is too late?

    Director:Hy Averback
    Writer:Jackson Gillis

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  4. Columbo Season 1 Episode 7 - Blueprint for Murder
    7.6/10(3799 votes)

    S1:E7

    An architect kills his business partner and deliberately lets Columbo suspect him, leading Columbo to think that he's hidden the body in the foundation of a building under construction. He plans to let Columbo dig up the site and find nothing, knowing that its the perfect place to hide the body since Columbo would never look in the same place twice.

    Director:Peter Falk
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Columbo Season 1 Episode 5 - Lady in Waiting
    7.2/10(3988 votes)

    S1:E5

    A woman shoots her overbearing brother, claiming she thought he was a burglar. Columbo doesn't buy the self-defense claim - he know's it's murder.

    Director:Norman Lloyd
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Columbo Season 1 Episode 6 - Short Fuse
    7.1/10(3845 votes)

    S1:E6

    A chemist rigs a bomb in his uncle's car to gain control of his uncle's company, then plants clues to make Columbo suspicious of the company's Vice-President.

    Director:Edward M. Abroms
    Writer:Unknown

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Columbo

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  7. Columbo Season 1 Episode 3 - Dead Weight
    6.9/10(4128 votes)

    S1:E3

    A famous general kills a business associate, then woos a neurotic female witness to thwart Columbo's investigation.

    Director:Jack Smight
    Writer:John T. Dugan

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Death Lends a Hand" is the best rated episode of Columbo season 1. It scored 7.8/10 from 4,622 votes. Directed by Bernard L. Kowalski and written by William Link, Richard Levinson, it aired on October 6, 1971. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Murder by the Book".