Hey, Lt. Columbo, Please Put Out That Cigar, Will You!

[Sgt. Saunders]

In watching these vintage “Columbo” episodes again on COZI-TV, I find it interesting to almost always seeing the dogged Los Angeles police detective brandishing a cigar in his hand while investigating a murder case.

The guy goes into countless people’s homes with that cheap-looking stogie in his
hand; I even saw Lt. Columbo holding a cigar while he was standing in a hospital. I was surprised that a doctor or nurse did not ask (or pointedly instruct) him to get rid of that smelly cigar.

Could you imagine Lt. Columbo trying to enjoy his cigar so casually and openly today with all of the smoke-free designated areas in buildings, stores and even outdoor parks and beaches?

Just once, I would have liked to have seen one understandably annoyed person say to the rumpled detective, “Lieutenant Columbo, would you please NOT smoke
that smelly thing in my house?”

By the way, could you imagine Lt. Columbo coming to Oscar Madison’s apartment to interrogate Oscar’s lifelong-non-smoking roommate, Felix Unger, with that trademark cigar of his in his hand? Oy vey!

[nightcrawler]

I agree with you, the cigar is beyond gross, and they way he prances into peoples homes with it, and actually lights it is beyond comprehension.

There was one episode that does come to mind where the housekeeper is adamant about the smoking in the house and makes him put it out or not light it. It is the episode with the twin man that electrocutes the uncle with a mixer in the bathtub. The TV keeps blowing out every time Columbo goes there and the housekeeper is beyond furious with him.

"Double Shock"

[biffbronson]

'Double Shock' I thought was a memorable episode.

In addition to the smelly cigar smoke being an issue, Columbo could sometimes be careless with the ash. There was an episode where if I recall correctly it was the home of a rich woman, and the housekeeper or someone else there has to follow Columbo to ensure the cigar ash is caught before falling off.

[nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

'Double Shock' I thought was a memorable episode.

In addition to the smelly cigar smoke being an issue, Columbo could sometimes be careless with the ash. There was an episode where if I recall correctly it was the home of a rich woman, and the housekeeper or someone else there has to follow Columbo to ensure the cigar ash is caught before falling off.

*****************

yes, wasn't that "Double Shock", the housekeeper would follow him, I believe so.
Also "Try and catch me" with Ruth Gordon, her housekeeper yelled at Columbo for the cigar ash well. I guess because in today's day and age, smoking is really not even allowed inside anywhere, let alone going into anyone's home with a cigar, a cigar, no less!!!

But, in Columbo's defense, back in those days of the 60's, 70's (I was a teen) everyone smoked, anywhere, everywhere, all the time, there was no boundaries, so at that time, it was normal to walk into someones house with a cigarette or cigar. It wasn't until the mid to late 80's that the smoking inside public places was coming to an end, albeit slow, but to an end...to what it is today (Thank God) Now even real smokers won't smoke in their homes, they are conditioned to go outside.

[biffbronson]

Yes, I grew up in the '70s and smoking was prevalent / pervasive. By contrast: a seniors apartment complex, sponsored by an organization I volunteer for, has now banned smoking on the entire property -- where before it was permitted outdoors, distant from the entrance. In the latest Meeting Minutes, there's mention that persons parked in the lot aren't permitted to smoke in their own vehicles. Of course that's impossible to enforce, but it just shows the stark contrast from earlier accepted behavior.

Personally I really detest smoke from cigarettes in particular.

[nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Yes, I grew up in the '70s and smoking was prevalent / pervasive. By contrast: a seniors apartment complex, sponsored by an organization I volunteer for, has now banned smoking on the entire property -- where before it was permitted outdoors, distant from the entrance. In the latest Meeting Minutes, there's mention that persons parked in the lot aren't permitted to smoke in their own vehicles. Of course that's impossible to enforce, but it just shows the stark contrast from earlier accepted behavior.

Personally I really detest smoke from cigarettes in particular.

*************

I agree with you, I hate smoking of all. So when I see Columbo smoking his cigar, blowing in other peoples faces I want to vomit. I wonder if his cigar had ever bothered any of his co-stars during the filming?

I am watching the episode where the dogs, Laurel & Hardy have killed the man.
Vey good episode, and another to follow. Blueprint for murder is the next episode, then I watch it at 8pm. Yes, I am a Columboaolic. LOL.
God, I need a life. LOL

[Sgt. Saunders]

And how about the disheveled Lieutenant Colombo walking into a crime scene with a dead person on the floor and the lieutenant is puffing away and probably dropping cigar ashes at a location where the crime scene investigators will be combing over the area around the murder victim and Colombo’s ashes are all over the place?

Shouldn’t one of the other detectives have told the seemingly absent-minded Lt. Colombo to get out of that crime scene room IMMEDIATELY with his smelly cigar?

In one of the later episodes, frequent guest star Patrick McGoohan portrayed a murderous mortician, who finds the insufferable Lt. Colombo checking out the preparation room of the funeral home, still brandishing his lit cigar and McGoohan’s character, very quickly and forcefully, grabs Colombo’s cigar from his hand and then snuffs it out in an ashtray on his desk.

I was so glad to see that indignant mortician do exactly that to the thoughtless and ill-mannered police detective.

[nightcrawler]

Originally Posted by Sgt. Saunders

And how about the disheveled Lieutenant Colombo walking into a crime scene with a dead person on the floor and the lieutenant is puffing away and probably dropping cigar ashes at a location where the crime scene investigators will be combing over the area around the murder victim and Colombo’s ashes are all over the place?

Shouldn’t one of the other detectives have told the seemingly absent-minded Lt. Colombo to get out of that crime scene room IMMEDIATELY with his smelly cigar?

In one of the later episodes, frequent guest star Patrick McGoohan portrayed a murderous mortician, who finds the insufferable Lt. Colombo checking out the preparation room of the funeral home, still brandishing his lit cigar and McGoohan’s character, very quickly and forcefully. grabs Colombo’s cigar from his hand and then snuffs it out in an ashtray on his desk.

I was so glad to see that indignant mortician do exactly that to the thoughtless and ill-mannered police detective.

************

yes I remember that episode as well. there was another episode where the cleanning lady of the twins that killed their uncle in the tub, she complained ovr is ashes and cigars.

back then it was a little different, in todays age no one in their right mind would ever walk into someones home with a cigar or cigrette, thank god we have conditioned people to smoke outside and away from others, but back in hose days, smokers cam first and life was based around making smokers come first with ash tray everywhere, i mean every where. ugh