Columbo beats Curro Jiménez in TV series showdown

Columbo defeats Curro Jiménez and advances to quarterfinals

The matchup between Columbo and Curro Jiménez in the "best series of all time" bracket resulted in a clear victory for the American production, according to thread tallies. With 81 votes, Columbo surpassed Curro Jiménez. Organizers warned that users with fewer than 36 posts would be disqualified due to suspected multi-accounting, a rule that shaped participation.

A duel between subtle irony and Spanish flair

Debate quickly polarized. Supporters of Columbo highlighted the lieutenant's sharp irony versus the testosterone-heavy characters of Curro Jiménez. "Both are great, but I prefer the commissioner's subtle wit over the excessive machismo of SANCHO GRACIA and company," noted one participant. Others defended the Spanish show as "one of the best Spanish series" and argued it "deserves to advance."

The production directed by Pilar Miró faced ideological criticism. "It was directed by the corrupt communist Pilar Miró. No mercy for the leftists," wrote one user, mixing artistic judgment with political affiliation. The argument that Curro Jiménez was "a quintessential low-quality Transition-era series whose garlic smell permeates the TV" led some to vote for Columbo without hesitation.

The Spielberg factor and cult episodes

One deciding factor was the first episode of Columbo, directed by Steven Spielberg. "The first Columbo episode, excluding the sixties prologue, was directed by Steven Spielberg. In that episode, the villain is Jack Cassidy, who died tragically years later," recalled a user. It was also mentioned that John Cassavetes starred in and directed one of the best episodes, and that Jonathan Demme directed "Murder by Book."

The cast of high-profile guest stars—Vincent Price, Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis in an early role—was another key argument. "Columbo's guest star list is luxurious; it adds immense quality to the series," stated a fan. Music by Henry Mancini and scores by Gil Mellé were also praised.

Curro Jiménez and its international legacy

Despite the loss, Curro Jiménez found defenders who highlighted its foreign success. "Some Spanish series from that era were hugely popular in Warsaw Pact countries. Curro Jiménez succeeded in Czechoslovakia and East Germany," pointed out a user. Originally aired in 1976, the series became a phenomenon in Eastern Europe, a fact supporters used to validate its quality beyond borders.

However, nostalgia wasn't enough. "I watched a Mazinger Z episode on YouTube recently and stopped because it ruined my romantic memory of the series," confessed a participant, illustrating how modern re-watches can tarnish memories. Conversely, Columbo aged better: "Columbo holds up well to re-watches; in fact, I just binged the entire series recently."

Columbo's repetitive structure under scrutiny

Columbo's formulaic nature drew criticism. "Columbo repeated the same formula over and over in each episode. It made me nervous somehow," commented a user. Others defended this structure as part of its charm: "The slow but well-crafted pace, where every scene counts..."

The sixth season from 1976, with only three episodes, was flagged as particularly weak. "Watch out for season six (1976); it's only 3 episodes but rough. And the second one, 'An Old-Fashioned Crime,' is among the series' best," warned an expert. The decline of the 80s and 90s seasons was also noted: "Columbo's problem is that it dragged into the 90s. Compared to the 70s seasons, it's like comparing Beach Boys' Good Vibrations to Kokomo."

Voting weight and game rules

The voting system, requiring a minimum of 36 posts to validate ballots, excluded several participants. "I didn't make it in time to vote for Columbo. Noted," lamented one. "I wish I had time to vote for Columbo. And while I love Curro Jiménez, Peter Falk's level is legendary," added another.

With 81 votes, Columbo reportedly won ten of the sixteen matchups in the round, according to circulating calculations. "It will likely end up as series number 33; I doubt any other loser has more votes," predicted an analyst. This cautious forecast left open the possibility that Curro Jiménez could become the biggest loser of this phase.

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Columbo's victory wasn't just a triumph of TV nostalgia. It was also a verdict on two approaches to fiction: cerebral irony versus action folklore. Curro Jiménez will remain beloved by fans, but in this round, the Los Angeles lieutenant took the prize.