If murdered, which fictional TV detective do you want on the case?

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In summary, the discussion revolves around choosing a fictional TV detective to solve a murder case, highlighting various characters' skills, personalities, and investigative styles. Participants express preferences based on the detective's effectiveness, intuition, and approach to solving crimes, ultimately revealing a blend of admiration for their fictional prowess and the desire for a thorough investigation.
  • #1
George Jones
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If you get murdered, which fictional TV detective (from any country) do you want to investigate the case?
 
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  • #2
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  • #3
George Jones said:
If you get murdered, which fictional TV detective (from any country) do you want to investigate the case?
Columbo!
 
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  • #4
PeroK said:
Columbo!
Absolutely!
 
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  • #6
PeroK said:
There's a "pub quiz" question that comes up from time to time in the UK. What do Lieutenant Columbo, Captain Mainwaring and Arthur Daley have in common?
I'm afraid I'd flunk that quiz.
 
  • #7
Doc Al said:
I'm afraid I'd flunk that quiz.
They all have a wife that we never see!
 
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  • #8
PeroK said:
They all have a wife that we never see!
That would have been my guess! (So maybe I would have passed after all...)

I'm very familiar with Columbo but never heard of the others. (I suppose I should get out more.)
 
  • #9
Sherlock of course!
 
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  • #10
BillTre said:
Sherlock of course!
Another fine choice. I don't usually associate Sherlock with TV detectives, but Benedict Cumberbatch was great as a modern-day Sherlock.
 
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  • #11
Doc Al said:
That would have been my guess! (So maybe I would have passed after all...)

I'm very familiar with Columbo but never heard of the others. (I suppose I should get out more.)
The other two are great comic creations from British TV.
 
  • #12
So was
Doc Al said:
Another fine choice. I don't usually associate Sherlock with TV detectives, but Benedict Cumberbatch was great as a modern-day Sherlock.
Jeremy Brett was another actor who did a great job of Sherlock (in a classic setting, on PBS).
 
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  • #13
BillTre said:
So was

Jeremy Brett was another actor who did a great job of Sherlock (in a classic setting, on PBS).
The definite Holmes, IMO. Absolutely true to the original.
 
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  • #14
Columbo. Because then I'd find out who murdered me in the first twenty minutes. :wink:
 
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  • #15
Ibix said:
Columbo. Because then I'd find out who murdered me in the first twenty minutes. :wink:
You would probably know that already! And, from your heavenly perch, you could watch the wily lieutenant gradually wear him down!
 
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  • #16
Just in case somebody reading this is thinking about murdering me, I want Dexter to take care of business.

You have been warned.
 
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  • #17
PeroK said:
They all have a wife that we never see!
Actually, there was Mrs Columbo (a young Kate Mulgrew) that was on for about a season.

To heck with all the big names. I'd want Harry Dresden. Of course, that would mean I'd've been killed by some Troll, or the Summer Knight (or worse), but he'd kick someone's butt before he was done.

-Dan
 
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  • #18
There's always Frank Drubbin

Screenshot 2023-12-01 at 11.18.59 AM.png
 
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  • #19
BillTre said:
There's always Frank Drubbin

View attachment 336458
...I'm not sure about him...

Frank: Hey! Look at that. The missing evidence in the Kelner case. My God! He was innocent!
Ed: He went to the chair 2 years ago, Frank.

On the other hand,
 
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  • #20
That's like the who's on first routine.
 
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  • #22
1701496061779.jpeg

He knows nothing, but he gets extremely lucky and I’ll have a laugh from above.
 
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  • #23
PeroK said:
Columbo!
I second that! :smile:
 
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  • #24
If I'm murdered I'm pretty certain I wouldn't have any opinion whatsoever.

Otherwise I'll say Adrian Monk. I've been re-watching those old shows recently.And my favorite color at the moment is green-blue.
 
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  • #25
PeroK said:
Columbo!
Well, just one more thing.

In the 1993 It's All In The Game, he lets one murderer (Claudia Christian - a young Claudis Christian) in order to catch the other (Faye Dunaway). So he's only got a 99% success rate.

I then thought about Batman - the World's Greateste Detective (it says so right on the cover). That way my killer would not only get caught, but there'd be a decent chance of a grisly end. But the rules say "TV" and the Adam West version of Batman couldn't catch a cold.

So I'll go with Jim Rockford. He needs the money, great theme song by Pete Carpenter and Mike Post (impress me, someone, and tell me who played harmonica) and only costs $200/day plus expenses.

<ring> "Hi, Jim, it's Jamie at the police impound. They picked up your car again. Lately, they've been driving it more than you have."

<ring> "That number four you just picked up from Angelo's Pizza? Some scouring powder fell in there. Don't eat it. Hey, I hope you try your phone machine before dinner."
 
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  • #26
Vanadium 50 said:
In the 1993 It's All In The Game, he lets one murderer (Claudia Christian - a young Claudis Christian) in order to catch the other (Faye Dunaway). So he's only got a 99% success rate.
Sherlock Holmes often lets the criminal off. For example, from the Blue Carbuncle:

“After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe, “I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to jail now, and you make him a jail-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of forgiveness."
 
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  • #27
PeroK said:
Sherlock Holmes often lets the criminal off.
He wasn't on my list either. :smile:

I don't want my murderer getting off. I want him coming to a very bad end.
 
  • #28
Vanadium 50 said:
He wasn't on my list either. :smile:

I don;t want my murder getting off. I want him coming to a very bad end.
May I suggest this one then?
1701539080830.jpeg
 
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  • #29
Or, this one:

1701542616378.jpeg
 
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  • #31
Vanadium 50 said:
So I'll go with Jim Rockford.
Woah, I had completely forgot about that tv series. I watched it a loooong time ago.
Nice to be reminded of it! :smile:
 
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  • #33
Orodruin said:
That’s the same guy as this guy:

🤔
I guess he is. I didn't recognize the cartoon version. My apologies!

-Dan
 
  • #34
Orodruin said:
View attachment 336473
He knows nothing, but he gets extremely lucky and I’ll have a laugh from above.
I don't recall every watching that, but he sounds a lot like Dirk Gently, holistic detective.
I would chose between Dirk and Jonny Lee Miller's Sherlock.
 
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  • #35
Columbo for me and Bill voted for Frank Drubbin, Leslie Nielsen was in one Columbo episode.
Can you name it?
 
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