Publish or Perish
Episode: 1974-01-18 | Airdate: Jan 18, 1974 (90 min)
A publisher hires a bomb enthusiast to murder a bestselling author of sex novels. Lt. Columbo is on the case.
Episodes
Mind Over Mayhem
Episode: 1974-02-18 | Airdate: Feb 18, 1974 (90 min)
The director of a government institute that employs various scientific geniuses commits a clever murder. But another kind of genius is on the case: Lt. Columbo.
Swan Song
Episode: 1974-03-03 | Airdate: Mar 3, 1974
A gospel singer wants to be rid of his zealous wife. But a murder made to look like an airplane accident does not fool the wily Lt. Columbo.
A Friend in Deed
Episode: 1974-05-05 | Airdate: May 5, 1974
A police commissioner provides a false alibi for a wife killer, but then expects an alibi in return.
An Exercise in Fatality
Episode: 1974-09-15 | Airdate: Sep 15, 1974
A health club owner murders one of his franchisees. Lt. Columbo is on the case. Milo Janus owns a chain of health clubs, but one of his franchisees discovers the man is cheating him - and can prove it to the authorities. Janus responds by murdering his partner and making it look as if he had accidentally killed himself trying to lift a barbell that was too heavy for him. Janus creates a would-be perfect alibi for himself involving a tape recording of his victim's voice, a phone that doesn't light up, a sexy secretary, a party for friends at his house, and a pornographic horror movie. But no alibi is perfect when the rumpled Lt. Columbo is on the case.
Negative Reaction
Episode: 1974-10-15 | Airdate: Oct 15, 1974
A photographer murders his wife and blames her death on a bungled kidnapping. But Lt. Columbo has an even sharper eye than the Pulitzer Prize winner.
By Dawn's Early Light
Episode: 1974-10-27 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1974
The commandant of a military academy murders the chairman of the board, who wants to oust him. Lt. Columbo takes up residence in the barracks to expose the killer.