Spoilers for Poker Face season 2, episode 11, “Day of the Iguana!”
Poker Facehas always clearly taken inspiration from one of the best TV shows of all time, but it finally made its influence explicit. Debuting in 2023 on Peacock,Poker Facewas met with nearly universal praise. The series follows Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) as she finds herself in situations where someone has usually been killed, and Charlie has to deduce how it happened.
Most episodes ofPoker Faceopen with the crime being committed, and then we meet up with Charlie later in the episode. The audience knows who did it, and how it happened, with the suspense coming from Charlie putting the clues together and using her uncanny ability to be able to detect any lie.
Poker Faceborrows its structure fromColumbo.The classic detective series ran from 1968-2003 for a total of 69 episodes. While the pacing, structure, main character, and more have always had obvious nods to the Peter Falk-led series,Poker Facehas taken things a step further.
Poker Face Season 2, Episode 11 Made Multiple Direct References To Columbo
The Influence Has Never Been More On Display
Poker Faceseason 2, episode 11, “Day of the Iguana"doesn’t just have ties toColumbo, it makes multiple direct references.Poker Faceis known for having celebrity guest stars, and the season 2 penultimate episode featured Justin Theroux playing two roles, one as Todd, a friend of Haley Joel Osment’s Kirby. Before going to Kirby’s wedding, Todd is murdered by a contract killer named The Iguana, who disguises himself as Todd.
The Iguana’s mission is to kill Kirby at his wedding, as he is the son of Beatrix Hasp (Rhea Perlman). Hasp is in witness protection because she is willing to testify against The Five Families. After the real Todd is dead,The Iguana empties a folder that has an image of Falk as Columbo fully on-screen.
Like Falk in real life, Todd has an artificial eye. For The Iguana to complete his disguise, hewears a contact lens that mimics a glass eye. While this stands out as an obvious connection to Falk, the reference goes even deeper at the wedding.
Kirby greets The Iguana and becomes hostile, demanding that Todd do that funny thing he always used to do. As the photo showed, there was a connection with the classic detective, so Theroux does his best Columbo impression and says his catchphrase, “There’s just one more thing.” Not only does he make a vocal impression, but he also changes his body, including his eye, to appear more like Falk.
Poker Face Is A Spiritual Successor To Columbo
Plenty Of Comparisons Can Be Drawn
TheRian Johnsonseries has never been shy about hiding the influences ofColumbo. Charlie and Columbo both have a catchphrase, drive distinctive, but in need of repair, cars, and are either smoking a cigar or vaping.
WhilePoker Facedid cross the line from inspired by to direct reference, it comes during one of the most intense episodes of the series. Although Kirby demanded that “Todd” do the Columbo impression, he says that he has no idea what it’s from. If anyone missed the reference, it’s a good reminder to check out the series thatPoker Faceis deeply connected to.
