#4. "Lex Luthor: Man of Steel" (2005) A look into the mind of Superman's arch rival Lex Luthor to discover what drives Luthor in his tireless quest to rid the world of Superman. Writer: Brian Azzarello Penciler: Lee Bermejo Inker: Lee Bermejo, Mick Gray, Karl Story, Jason Martin Colorist: Dave Stewart, Lee Bermejo Letterers: Rob…

This episode aired September 19, 1972 The Benedict's home would later appear in the opening credits of Benson (1979). Because the show found early success in a 90 minute format, the network, of course, decided to tinker with what worked by insisting on longer episodes. As a result, Steven Bochco's original 90 minute script was…

They're renaming Shakespeare's plays for modern audiences! The tragedies... The comedies... Akemi and Sharky and I are off to Montreal for 10 days.  Wish us luck! In the meantime, a reminder that our Columbo rewatch continues tomorrow with... "Étude in Black" A ruthless conductor murders the gifted pianist with whom he is having an affair.…

5 famous films and their original titles (Round 4) - Answers revealed! The Coldest City = Atomic Blonde (Based on the comic book, The Coldest City, by @AntonyJohnston and Sam Hart). Head Cheese = The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Head Cheese was the working title in early development but later changed to Leatherface during production, and…

This episode aired February 19, 1972 This is one of the rare Columbo episodes where the murder is committed off-screen. The secretary's desk is the same desk used by Investigator Brimmer in "Death Lends a Hand" and lawyer Frank Simpson in "Suitable for Framing". The blue convertible Elliot Markham uses to transport the body of…

Delicious venison... Sharky demonstrates proper use of a lick mat... Messy boy... Special tuna treats from Japan! Wrestling with dad... Snoozing with dad...    

My friend, Trung Phan asked for some international crime show recommendations. He asked for my Mt. Rushmore but, to be fair, this list is more like my Zoucheng's Thirteen Confucian Tombs. The recommendations are based on his parameters (relatively short runs and no drop off in the quality of the writing). I suggested the following...…

This episode first aired January 19, 1972. After they had finished carefully plotting out the show's 6-episode first season, co-creators Richard Levinson and William Link received a last minute request for an extra episode. According to Levinson: “The network was so pleased with what they were seeing that they wanted the seventh. We were furious.…

Last night... Me: I'm super cold.  Hope I'm not coming down with something. Akemi: I'm super hot.  Hope I'm not coming down with something. Starting something new!  Today, I kick off 100 Supervillain Stories with "Triumph and Torment"! Doctor Doom and Doctor Strange enter Mephisto's realm in an all-out effort to free the soul of…

Brown Butter and Garlic Wings? Kokusan barbecue beef ribs? Wagyu A5 brisket? Cornbread chili? Buffalo chicken and Taco Nachos? BEST: Wagyu A5 brisket WORST: Strawberry shortcake yakisoba

This episode first aired December 15, 1971 The drive-in burger joint where Columbo and Peter Hamilton grab lunch was also featured in the original Star is Born and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Actress Susan Clark, who played Beth Chadwick, was a relative unknown at the time she landed this role. According to Clark: “When…

In no hurry to go out... Maitake mushroom (his favorite!) Japanese sweet potato... Sharky working on chapter 5 of his memoirs... Happy Dreams...

All You Need Is Kill = Edge of Tomorrow (Originally named after the Japanese light novel upon which it was based. The movie's tagline - Live. Die. Repeat. - is considered by many fans to be the superior title) Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? = Blade Runner (Based on Philip K. Dick's 1968 science…