The eighthepisode ofColumbo was titledÈtude in Blackand was the openingepisode of the show’s secondseason. A popular musician murders his mistress to conceal their affair, intending that her death be considered a suicide. Columbo is charged with disproving that assertion and identifying the killer. In this podcast Gerry and Iain look at Columbo’s approach to the investigation and the appearance of a new regular character. Although season 2 opened with a larger supporting cast than most of the previous year’s episodes, there were only a few roles of any depth. John Cassavetes was most prominent as Alex Benedict, conductor and killer. His sparring with Columbo was reminiscent of episodes 1 and 7 of Season 1, with the chemistry between Falk and Cassavetes essential to the success of the episode. Also featuring were the exceptional Blythe Danner as Benedict’s put-upon wife, Janice Benedict; Myrna Loy as her affluent and influential mother; and James Olson as the emotional Paul Rifk...