Mrs. Columbo

Kate Callahan

Jenny Callahan

Josh Alden

Sergeant Mike Varrick

The series was originally executed as following the exploits of the crime reporter wife of Lt. Columbo. But when the series couldn't capitalize on the popular earlier series, producers changed Mrs. Columbo's name to "Callahan" and soon, all references to the fictional cop were removed.

While the show was aired under many alternative titles, only the second season of the show was officially renamed from "Mrs. Columbo" to "Kate Loves a Mystery" and all the references to "Columbo" were removed. The storyline explained this a bit by having Kate divorce Columbo. Therefore, it is somewhat unclear whether season two is just the second season of "Mrs. Columbo" or a separate sequel series.

Mrs. Columbo's name in the original series was rarely referred to, but it was Rose. Not Kate. Perhaps her full name was Katherine Rose Columbo and Frank merely preferred to call her Rose.