Home / Arts and Entertainment / Spielberg & Bochco's Early Columbo Hit
Spielberg & Bochco's Early Columbo Hit
23 Aug
Summary
- Steven Spielberg directed the pilot of 'Columbo,' titled 'Murder by the Book.'
- The episode was written by Steven Bochco, a future creator of crime dramas.
- Both Spielberg and Bochco were in their early careers during the pilot's production.
Steven Spielberg, now an iconic director, started his career in television by helming the pilot episode of the beloved detective series 'Columbo.' Titled 'Murder by the Book,' this inaugural episode was written by a young Steven Bochco, who would go on to create numerous successful crime dramas.
At the time of the pilot's production in 1971, both Spielberg and Bochco were in their early careers. Spielberg was in his early twenties, and Bochco was in his late twenties, with few widely recognized projects to their names. Their collaboration proved instrumental to the series' significant success.
While 'Murder by the Book' was the first episode produced with Spielberg and Bochco, it was not 'Columbo's' absolute premiere. Two made-for-TV films preceded it: 'Prescription: Murder' in 1968 and 'Ransom for a Dead Man' in 1971, introducing Peter Falk's memorable performance.
