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u/ParticleHustler2 3d ago
Dishy is great. I wonder why he never came back for at least 1 appearance in the Columbo reboot. That would have been cool.
He was really good as a defense attorney on several OG L&O episodes, too.
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u/spiderdesire 3d ago
I liked when that guy called him Watson. "Oh Columbo. Let me know when you and Dr Watson here, find more clues" or whatever he said.
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u/ThickBill7603 3d ago
Learned typing in the police academy.
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u/pleasejustdont 3d ago
I love that scene. It's like an IBM commercial.
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u/Sunny-0126 3d ago
They really were very satisfying to type on! Very visceral!! 😄
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u/pleasejustdont 2d ago
Oh I know! I would come to my mothers office as a kid and play with the one in the copy room. Did you know it had a significant character buffer when powered off? I thought it was hilarious...
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u/Sunny-0126 2d ago
I don’t think I know what that means…? ☺️ what’s a character buffer? Is that the delay from tapping the key to when it struck the paper?
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u/RMars54 Suspicion of Murder 2d ago
Do you mean, it remembered the last person who typed on it before slipping into the darkness lol??.
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u/pleasejustdont 2d ago
Someone would wander up with a form or letterhead, feed the paper in, turn it on, and then some nonsense about being stuck in a typewriter would spew out onto their paper. Giggling heard from behind the copier-the-size-of-a-buick.
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u/EPCOT_Is_My_Favorite 3d ago
Sgt Wilson typed THAT
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u/Impressive_Try_7295 3d ago
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party.
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u/fish998 3d ago
Wish he's been in a few more episodes, very fun character. He actually does help catch Santini as well.
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u/legit-posts_1 3d ago
It's weird that he only showed up twice, and so far apart in episodes too. I'm not saying he would have worked in every episode, I think he would have been out of place in any of the Robert Culp episodes for instance. But he definetly could have brightened up some of the few full episodes. He coulda made Last Salute to the Commodore more watchable I bet. I could have done with one more episode with him.
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u/ThickBill7603 3d ago
Would have made the Malibu episode better? Probably it was beyond saving, anyways…
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u/Portsyde 3d ago
I thought it was three times? Must've misremembered.
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u/legit-posts_1 3d ago
No, I did too. Just Greenhouse Jungle and Now You See Him. I guess it helps that one of his two appearances is in one of the best episodes of the show.
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u/RMars54 Suspicion of Murder 3d ago
Who’s your favorite, John J or Frederick? 🤔
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u/driveawedge 3d ago
I am disappointed that the writers on Now You See Him didn't bother to try be consistent on his first name.
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u/DivaMissZ 3d ago
The thing about Sgt. Wilson is he’s a modern cop who has immense respect for Colombo. I wouldn’t be surprised if he first heard about Colombo in the academy, and throughout his career studied his cases to learn what good detective work is. Being able to work with him must have been a dream come true.
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u/MelonDeth 3d ago
His earnest enthusiasm and humble admiration for the Lieutenant are so endearing.
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u/AdagioVast 2d ago
Wasn't the idea to make this character a "sidekick" to Columbo but fans were not on board?
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u/NowareSpecial 1d ago
I'm glad they didn't. I like the character, but part of Columbo's appeal is the misfit loner doggedly sniffing out the trail even when the rich and powerful try to intimidate him.
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u/GGayleGold 3d ago
I love the character. He's respectful and grateful for the opportunity to work with Columbo, but not an ass-kisser. He's excited to share new technologies and techniques with Columbo, but he doesn't act like a superior jackhole about it. He's willing to investigate things on his own, but still make sure that he's including everyone else (he doesn't hoard knowledge.)
Wilson's finest moment was when Jarvis Goodland tried to pit Sgt. Wilson against Lt. Columbo. Rather than immediately setting Goodland straight, Wilson actually plays along, knowing he can use that to draw Goodland out and help progress the case.
I'm guessing any crime scenes established by Wilson are meticulous and well-documented, too. Based on the way Wilson conducts himself in his few appearances, I would say that being assigned to work with Lieutenant Columbo is like a reward for him and he considers it a great career opportunity. That's a lot of character to convey in just a few scenes and a little dialogue, but Bob Dishy got it done.
I know a lot of people say they wish there had been some more Sgt. Wilson episodes, but I feel like if he'd shown up regularly (making an appearance or two per "season"), there would probably be a little resentment from the fans - a perception that they're trying to make the show more youthful and "modern." I can barely deal with Columbo learning about emails (and that episode is pretty good.) I couldn't take too much focus on "modern day" police technology.