While the titles aren’t set in stone yet, Tarzi says the two box sets will be roughly split up between the classic 1970s era of “Columbo” and the show’s later run, including episodes that aired as recently as 2003. The still-tentative titles for the box sets are “Columbo: The 1970s” and “Columbo: The Return,” according to Tarzi. Special features are still currently in the works, but fans should expect appearances from Mark Dawidziak -– the author of “The Columbo Phile” who Tarzi calls “the expert on Columbo” -– along with “Columbo” aficionados Amanda Reyes, Jim Benson, and Scott Spencer. There’s no word yet on if any of the show’s numerous guest stars, which include everyone from Julie Newmar to Lesley Ann Warren to William Shatner, will stop by for any special features.
While “Columbo” fans can currently find full seasons of the comfort-watch show on streamers including Peacock, Tubi, The Roku Channel, and Freevee, the show’s multi-decade run (and multiple pilot episodes) means it’s not always easy to track down every single chapter. At the moment, the only “Columbo” Blu-ray box set that seems to be online is from Japan and is going for over $200 on Amazon, so fans of the needling sleuth will no doubt have plenty to appreciate in the new box set.
The Kino Lorber “Columbo” box sets do not have a release date as of publication time, but the first is expected to arrive in summer 2023.
