The Japan series of DVDs, from "CDJapan", reportedly will include all of the "original" 45 episodes ? a great coup, since only about 30 episodes have been made available (on VHS tape) in the USA. In the UK, the first place to ever have Columbo on DVD, go to the "Universal Playback" site at http://www.universal-playback.com/product.asp?productID=118. Playback" currently offers 9 episodes, on 4 DVDs.

It was never given in the show. When Columbo is asked what his first name is, he says "Lieutenant". On another occasion, he is asked if he has a first name, and Columbo says, "I do, but my wife is about the only one who uses it.

Although Mrs Columbo's first name was never used in "Columbo," the answer might have been given in a unique television appearance, when Columbo gave a speech at the "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" of Frank Sinatra. For more on this remarkable event, see Columbo Meets Sinatra.

Columbo and his wife had hoped to pick the dog's name by watching him to see what he does, but all the dog does is drool and snore; so they just call him by whistling, or by saying "dog" or "hey you". Columbo briefly tried naming the dog Beethoven, but the dog didn't like it. To hear this bit of Columbo history, go to Columbo Sounds.

In the USA (and some other countries), the best way to search for "Columbo" broadcasts in your viewing area is to use a TV listings web site such as www.tvguide.com or www.gist.com/tv/ . All of these sites have similar "search listings" functions: you enter your ZIP code, and whether you want cable, satellite or just regular broadcast channels, and then you can search for key or title terms such as "columbo".

No. There have been several times when she was supposed to appear, but she never did. She was reportedly seen (off-camera) by other characters in some episodes, and we have seen Columbo talking to her on the phone. We have seen her car, and a picture of her sister, Ruth, but that's the closest we've ever come to seeing Mrs Columbo.

Like everything else Columbo says, this is open to question. For a discussion of the evidence, and for lots more on Columbo's family, see Columbo's Family Album.

Columbo always figured out who committed the murder -- usually within his first few minutes at the crime scene, but occasionally after more prolonged puzzlement, as in Columbo Cries Wolf. In Forgotten Lady, Columbo feels he has "a problem" because the killer, Grace Wheeler (Janet Leigh), is suffering from a neurological disorder, and probably doesn't even recall the murder, and because she is dying.

In the show, Columbo has referred to it as "a 1950 Peugeot". In reality, there have been two cars: a 1959 and a 1960 Peugeot model 403 cabriolet. Fans of Columbo's infamous vehicle will also want to see Columbo's Car Crashes, and the video compilation of Columbo's collisions in Columbo Video.

Our only clues are that Columbo says he gets these fellas at the supermarket, and that several other characters have commented on the pungent aroma or poor quality of Columbo's cigars; so we know that they're a cheap, generic brand. least one cameraman who worked on "Columbo" has said that Peter Falk would just grab any kind of cigar that was handy; and in fact, careful observation shows that Columbo's cigars were of various thicknesses and colors at different times.

DVD, which stands for Digital Video Disc, Digital Versatile Disc, or nothing, depending on whom you ask, is the next generation of optical disc storage technology. It's essentially a bigger, faster CD that can hold video as well as audio and computer data. DVD aims to encompass home entertainment, computers, and business information with a single digital format, eventually replacing audio CD, videotape, laserdisc, CD-ROM, and perhaps even video game cartridges.

You mean you haven't heard that MGM Home Video has released The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension on DVD?! It's available at video retailers, as well as on-line at retailers such as Amazon.com and Blockbuster.

Yes. The first, second, and third seasons are now available - visit the DVD area to learn all about them and find out how to order your copy. Information on the release of the fourth season on DVD will be posted on this site as soon as it's announced.