I spent a few minutes on Black Friday messing around with ChatGPT. Given how much I enjoy Columbo, the series of made for TV murder mysteries, I asked ChatGPT the following:

Write me the synopsis of the perfect Columbo murder mystery.

What I got in return was I think the perfect example of the power and perils of ChatGPT at this moment in time.

Title: “Fading Echoes”

Synopsis:

In the heart of New York City, renowned art gallery owner Victor Drake appears to have it all—wealth, influence, and a pristine reputation. However, beneath the façade of success, a dark secret lurks. When a celebrated artist is found dead in Drake’s gallery, seemingly the victim of a tragic accident, the enigmatic Lieutenant Columbo senses a more sinister undercurrent.

As Columbo begins his investigation, he discovers a meticulously crafted plan to cover up a premeditated murder. The artist’s death is not the result of a tragic fall but a carefully staged event designed to divert attention from a hidden motive—one that connects back to Drake’s vast empire and the cutthroat world of high-stakes art dealings.

Unraveling the layers of deception, Columbo must navigate the intricacies of the art world, decoding cryptic clues left behind like strokes on a canvas. As he engages in a battle of wits with the suave and sophisticated Victor Drake, Columbo exposes the subtle details that betray the perfect crime.

In “Fading Echoes,” the perfect Columbo murder mystery, viewers are taken on a suspenseful journey where the detective’s disarming demeanor conceals a razor-sharp intellect. As the noose tightens around the cunning killer, Columbo’s persistent questioning and unassuming charm peel away the layers of deception, revealing a motive rooted in betrayal, rivalry, and the insatiable desire for artistic acclaim.

As the truth emerges, viewers are left in awe of Columbo’s unparalleled ability to turn seemingly insignificant details into the linchpin of justice. In the end, “Fading Echoes” stands as a testament to the enduring brilliance of Lieutenant Columbo, proving that even the most meticulously executed crimes cannot escape the watchful eye of the iconic detective.

ChatGPT nailed almost every aspect of what makes a Columbo murder mystery. Almost. Like many of the detective’s foils, it made one glaring mistake that cannot be overlooked.

Columbo works in L.A.