Steven Spielberg recalls directing Steven Bochco's Columbo series premiere script in 1971

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The Sept. 15, 1971 Columbo episode "Murder By the Book" kicked off the Peter Falk series after two previous Columbo TV movies. Spielberg and Bochco, the respective future titans of the movies and television, were still in their 20s when they collaborated on the first episode of a series that would have a 10-season run on NBC and ABC. "Steve was a friend and a colleague starting with the first episode of Columbo in 1971 that he wrote and I directed," said Spielberg in a statement, reacting to Bochco's death. "We have supported and inspired each other ever since and through many deep mutual friendships we have stayed connected for 47 years. I will miss Steve terribly.”

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