Talk:Peter Falk/Archive 1

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Archive 1

Offensive comments removed?

I'm not trying to be a stickler, but is it normal to delete comments (even offensive ones) from the discussion pages?--Anchoress 08:36, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

If a comment is (likely) libellous, then it should be deleted as soon as possible, per WP:BLP. If a comment is insulting and cannot help improve the article, then it should be deleted. If it is legitimate criticism that someone does not like / is offended by, then it should stay. Wikipedia is not censored, but we don't want law suits, nor do we want to turn this site into an online gossip center. Nietzsche 2 (talk) 14:24, 17 February 2009 (UTC)

Improving the article

I think the "more citations needed" tag is well taken. There is a serious absence of good sourcing for this article, which is odd given the fame of the actor and the amount that has been written about him, which includes an autobiography and perhaps other books. For now I am going to add details from his official website, which I am reasonable certain is an acceptable source for information about Falk under WP:RS. Then I'll see what I can do about getting that autobiography. I hope that the editors who are so solicitous about adding medical details can now turn their attention to improving other aspects of this article (once the semiprotection ends). Stetsonharry (talk) 18:35, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

Yes, I am surprised Falk's article is so short given that he was a big star on TV for years. (92.8.233.79 (talk) 20:39, 30 January 2009 (UTC))

Yeah, this article has big problems and requires a major rewrite that I just don't have time to do. For the most part it is a listing of film and TV credits, and the "Columbo" section is an OR essay. Whew. When you consider this man's lengthy and eventful career, it's just astonishing. It's just really a crying shame. But in a way I'm glad we had that squabble over Alzheimer's, because it focused attention on the article and maybe people can chip in to fix it and expand it. While I'm an admirer of this gent I'm not really a fan, and I just don't have the sources at hand.Stetsonharry (talk) 03:36, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

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Alzheimer's allegations

I've removed a paragraph in the "personal life" section describing Falk's daughter petitioning the courts on the basis of his supposed "advanced Alzheimer's." I have done this in accordance with WP:BLP for several reasons. First it consumes over one-half of the "personal life" section and thus is excessively weighted for a distinguished actor with a career spanning five decades. Secondly the sourcing is a website and the New York Post, which is insufficient for something so potentially grave and damaging. Thirdly the allegations are dubious. Falk just completed a movie that is now in post-production. That is not possible for someone with "advanced Alzheimers" and there are any number of potential intra-family reasons that such a petition would be filed. I think that, even though made in court, such an allegation needs to be treated gingerly and that we should bend over backwards not to include such damaging information without multiple proper sources and only if relevant to the subject's notability. Stetsonharry (talk) 19:51, 4 January 2009 (UTC)

I know Peter, he can no longer recognize anyone. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.8.225.140 (talk) 08:23, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

That is sad, but such things can be caused by strokes. Alzheimers involves hallucinations and dementia. We are not in a position to diagnose Mr. Falk, and neither are his relatives. Short of a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer's, published in multiple reliable sources, such accusations are defamatory and do not belong in his article. Stetsonharry (talk) 14:32, 5 January 2009 (UTC)

You may be right, after all Sir Winston Churchill had similar problems in the last ten years of his life which were probably caused by a series of minor strokes. I don't know whether Peter has Alzheimer's but he is certainly not well. I guess we will find out the truth on the 27th. (92.14.213.187 (talk) 11:13, 6 January 2009 (UTC))

That is certainly true. I really wish people would not keep adding back in the Alzheimer's allegation until or unless it has been reported by multiple reliable sources as required by WP:BLP. Stetsonharry (talk) 14:57, 6 January 2009 (UTC)
I've removed yet another effort to add the Alzheimer's allegations. I have serious concerns under WP:WEIGHT that I've discussed above. Stetsonharry (talk) 14:22, 13 January 2009 (UTC)
I think you overstepped this time. I took great pains to make the Alzheimer's statement as short as possible. The sentence says simply that his daughter filed papers seeking custodianship. I also included a link to a REUTERS article. Suddenly a single sentence is "undue weight" and Reuters is an unreliable source? Huh? --AStanhope (talk) 23:14, 13 January 2009 (UTC)
What's the point? It's an allegation. If I put up a website arguing that Hitler was Welsh, doubtless someone might try to use it as a reliable source. However, satire aside, there is a dimension to WP:BLP that goes beyond mere sourcing, and that (as Jimbo points out) is the issue of human dignity. It would be easy to take advantage of this situation, but personally I have a greater respect for Peter Falk than to do that, and I've never met the man. If it's announced officially, let us then treat it with appropriate sourcing and dignity. Until then, let us please pass over it in silence. --Rodhullandemu 23:22, 13 January 2009 (UTC)
That's right. There are multiple issues with including the Alzheimer's allegation. I did not mean to imply that the issue would be resolved by finding a reliable source and I regret my imprecision. Stetsonharry (talk) 19:11, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Peter Falk's wife has filed court papers claiming that he gave her charge of his financial affairs when he was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Maybe his condition isn't as serious as his daughter suggests, but nevertheless this confirms that he has Alzheimer's and so the article should mention this. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 18:50, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

It's still a claim, and no higher than that. Per policy on biographies, we require reliable sources, and a claim in an affidavit isn't one. It confirms nothing. --Rodhullandemu 18:56, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Sorry, Peter Falk's wife has lived with him for 32 years and is now his principal carer. If he didn't have Alzheimer's he would have released a statement denying his daughter's allegations. You saw the pictures of him from April last year, he is obviously completely out of it. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 19:01, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

Is she medically qualified? And which parts of WP:BLP and WP:RS do you not understand? Your assessment of the pictures are original research, and prohibited here, even if you are medically qualified. Consensus here seems to be against this going in without a reliable source, even if policy allowed it, which it doesn't. I shall remove the allegation and if necessary seek protection of the article. --Rodhullandemu 19:20, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

I think the FIVE doctors who diagnosed Falk with Alzheimer's are MORE than qualified. This is ridiculous: Peter Falk has Alzheimer's disease and his own wife has confirmed it. You may remember that last year Paul Newman's spokesman downplayed reports that the star had terminal lung cancer but nevertheless his wikipedia page still mentioned it. Peter Falk has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and his wife wants him to remain at home. Since this has been reported EVERYWHERE it should be in his article. Expect many, many fans to keep adding the truth as the court case goes on, no matter how many times you stupidly try to revert it. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 19:22, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

Well then, cite any one of the five doctors. As for "stupidly2, that's a personal attack which are not tolerated here. Leave it with me, but I'll be amazed if it happens. --Rodhullandemu 19:32, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Amazed if what happens? (92.12.239.98 (talk) 19:35, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

I agree completely with Rodhullandemu. Wikipedia is not a tabloid, and repeating this extremely damaging allegation would be contrary to BLP, and would certainly violate the human dignity of this distinguished actor. Mrs. Falk is certainly not a reliable source as far as this allegation is concerned, and even if she was I would argue that having it consume half of his personal life section is undue weight. Stetsonharry (talk) 20:06, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

1) These court papers are not from a "tabloid". 2) This is not an ellegation, Falk was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's by a series of doctors some time ago. 3) Nobody is "violating his dignity", in any case his name will do much good for Alzheimer's just as Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston did when their Alzheimer's were announced. 4) Mrs Falk knows Peter better than anyone in the world and so what she has said confirms that his daughter's claims were correct. 5) I agree there should be more in his Personal Life section, but at least one line should be given to his current state of health. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 20:28, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

Your source makes no reference to "five doctors" or even one doctor. Stetsonharry (talk) 20:42, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Peter was formally diagnosed by a series of doctors in 2007. I think you've got to face facts, he's 81 and has been semi-retired for years. Will you only allow the article to say he has Alzheimer's when he dies? (92.12.239.98 (talk) 20:45, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

Assuming it happens before he dies, only when a reliable source says so. Please produce evidence about this series of doctors. --Rodhullandemu 20:48, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

I have read all the court papers. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 20:54, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

Even if that could be verified, even if it was all laid out in an easily accessible record, WP:BLP prohibits use of public records that contain personal information about the subject. In this case, assuming all you say is true, there could be other court papers rebutting it. Again, there is also the issue of undue emphasis. This is, as you point out, an 81 year old actor whose career goes back to the early 1950s. To make half of his "personal life" section, in an article of modest length, to consist of allegations that he has Alzheimer's just can't pass muster. That is a career-ending allegation. I am sorry, we should not be spreading it. This is not a tabloid. Hell, even the tabloids have stayed away from this one. Stetsonharry (talk) 21:06, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

There is some truth in what you say, but Peter has been turning down many roles for years now anyway, just like his good friend Patrick McGoohan who had retired from acting more than a decade before his death. I would like to see another series of Columbo as much as every other fan but it isn't going to happen. Anyway the last series, made in 2002, was rather disappointing. If you have read a book about Peter Falk you could expand the Personal Life section. By the way, I thought Peter disn't become an actor until the beginning of 1956? (92.12.239.98 (talk) 21:38, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

And I have spent over 35 years reading court papers; and the only conclusion I draw is that occasionally they may contain some truth, but only occasionally. --Rodhullandemu 21:08, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Well, I trust what Dr Sloan, Peter's principal doctor, has said. (92.12.239.98 (talk) 21:38, 29 January 2009 (UTC))

For the record, the issue seems to have reached consensus at ANI not to include the "Alzheimer's" stuff. At the risk of prolonging this discussion: I just reviewed a Youtube video of Falk supposedly "raving and ranting" in Beverly Hills a few months. Stills from that appeared on TMZ.com. Let me tell you, for what it's worth, he was angry but completely rational, yelling at photographers. I hope that this entire issue can be put on the shelf and that we can work to build up the article as a whole. If there was ever a case of "Wiki is not a tabloid," this is or should be it. Stetsonharry (talk) 22:58, 30 January 2009 (UTC)

He will never be seen in public ever again. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.10.96.143 (talk) 11:26, 31 January 2009 (UTC)

BBC reporting http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7903533.stm?lss
Thanks. Seems to be a hearing Monday, so let's see what happens. Stetsonharry (talk) 00:58, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

Source

Yes, it has received a fair amount of publicity that a court appointed lawyer found that Falk should not be placed under a conservatorship. There is a hearing Monday. Let's revisit the issue tomorrow and decide what, if anything, should be placed in the article on this. Stetsonharry (talk) 15:53, 22 February 2009 (UTC)

Court hearing

I assume somebody is going to raise this eventually, so I thought I would. The court hearing on his daughter's petition for a conservatorship took place yesterday, and the outcome was that his daughter, who appears estranged from him, was granted a 30 minute supervised meeting within thirty days. The AP story does not say that conversatorship was denied, as recommended by a court-appointed lawyer mentioned in previous articles. See [1].

This is such a non-outcome that my inclination is to leave it out. The AP article has some ruminations about Alzheimer's, but the firm consensus and BLP concerns dictate that we have to leave that out pending multiple sourcing establishing that.

My feeling is that nothing should be added to the article on this, in keeping with the BLP "no rush" policy in situations of this kind. Let's wait until we get better sourcing on something happening, and not just a meeting with a daughter, which I think should not be added under WP:WEIGHT. Comments? Stetsonharry (talk) 16:08, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

Agree; this level of detail is somewhat irrelevant, and we are not a news service. I see no harm in waiting until there's anything worth including. --Rodhullandemu 16:14, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

The Telegraph, Britain's best broadsheet newspaper, has also reported this along with the BBC. We now know for certain that Falk has Alzheimer's. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.12.117.135 (talk) 09:06, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

As far as I'm concerned, it's still an allegation, and you didn't cite a source anyway. It goes. --Rodhullandemu 11:41, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

It's no allegation. Falk's wife, daughter, lawyer and doctor all agree he has Alzheimer's. Putting back with source. (92.11.240.64 (talk) 16:53, 26 February 2009 (UTC))

Read your own source: "Alzheimer's claim". Nowhere does it say that this claim is substantiated. Per policy, I shall remove it- again, and if it is replaced, blocking will follow. --Rodhullandemu 16:59, 26 February 2009 (UTC)

Selected filmography

Maybe it's pedantic of me to ask, but shouldn't his 'selected filmography' for TV include Columbo? 57.68.64.34 (talk) 14:38, 14 May 2009 (UTC)

As per Wikipedia is not a collection of lists, I have reduced the "Filmography" section to just the films that have Wiki articles, and renamed it to "Selected filmography" ... people can click the IMDb External link at the end of the article to see the subject's full filmography with links to information about each of their films.

I have also used [[19xx in film|19xx]] tags for the years of the films, something that Some Other Editors do not appear to understand, since they seem to think that just linking [[19xx]] somehow has encyclopedic value.

Anonymous edits without comments may be reverted by anyone.

I am placing this boilerplate message on this Discussion page before I actually make the changes, so that I can just put "see Discussion page" in the edit summary, and hopefully not have my edit summarily reverted as vandalism by Some Other Editor.

Happy Editing! --68.239.79.82 (talk · contribs) 11:13, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

After posting the above, I decided to simply delete the section entirely. —68.239.79.82 11:15, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

New developments

Is there sufficient news media coverage at this point to allow a mention of Falk having dementia and/or Alzheimer's? I took out a reference to Alzheimer's, but not the former. I'm just not comfortable with the sourcing on the disease, but am not so sure about dementia. Stetsonharry (talk) 20:10, 28 June 2009 (UTC)

Columbo notably absent from filmography

Given that the article includes an entire section on Mr Falk's portrayal of Lt Columbo, why doesn't the role appear in his television filmography? I'm not sure of the formatting of a table, or I'd add it - can someone else do so? --Badger151 (talk) 16:43, 8 November 2009 (UTC)

Alzheimer's

Old subject. It's been added back, and I took it out. Consensus was that it not be added, and we never returned to the issue. We need to fully discuss before it is added back. There were some subsequent developments that may indeed warrant mention, but we need to be careful about saying he has a dread disease. Stetsonharry (talk) 21:15, 20 December 2009 (UTC)

Is it not notable that the BBC reported his daughter claimed that he had Alzheimer's but she lost her case requesting that he was placed under the care of a legal guardian? Is it not also notable that his wife has confirmed that he is very ill and posted a message on his official website? When something is reported in reliable sources such as the BBC what is the reason for keeping it out? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.92.119.217 (talk) 23:58, 1 January 2010 (UTC)
policy on living people is intentionally strict here; this is to avoid the Wikimedia Foundation in being involved in unnecessary litigation. A claim of Alzheimer's is barely more than that; a claim. Unless and until such claim is verified by a judgement of a competent expert, and/or s accepted by a court, we are not competent to publish it. In such litigation, "claims" are rife; that does not mean that we should report them, because they are essentially self severing]. If we do report them, it should be made plain that this is an unreliable source. Rodhullandemu 00:09, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
That's right. There hasn't been any change in the factual picture since we discussed this months ago. Stetsonharry (talk) 15:35, 2 January 2010 (UTC)
I should have made it clear in my first comment that I am in total agreement with previous arguments that there is nothing in the public domain that would support a statement that Peter Falks has Alzheimers being included in this article.
However, it is a fact that Peter Falks "became ill shortly after a surgical procedure" because it was reported by his wife on his own personal website. It is also a fact that his wife has been appointed "to act as Peter's conservator". At the moment there is no mention of these facts in the article, why shouldn't these two facts be included in the article?
As a separate point, which I believe is less important, why can't we report that Peter Falks adopted daughter filled "a public petition [..]to be Peter's conservator"? Lots of biographies in wikipedia include information about court cases where allegations have been made without repeating the allegation, why should this article be any different? I would also venture that many biographies in wikipedia have information about court cases where the allegations are repeated even if they are later proven to be false.
I have read through the policy on living people and I personally don't see any parts of it which my suggestions are in violation of, if there are specific parts of the policy (or any other wikipeida policy) that you think I should be aware of could you please draw my attention to them?
I should declare that I have never edited this article and I have no intention of doing so in the future. I was just interested to see that the allegations weren't reported in the wikipedia article.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.92.119.217 (talk • contribs)
We can report whatever the court ruled on the petition. That came out a while ago. I remember something was in the article on that at one point. Stetsonharry (talk) 00:05, 3 January 2010 (UTC)

Falk's own wife and close friend Joe Mantegna have both publicly said he has dementia, that is good enough. (HaroldLockwood (talk) 14:08, 31 January 2010 (UTC))

Hidden code?

This text is under personal life and includes the words "Do you guys just sit on...refresh". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.11.161.22 (talk) 20:06, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

I see no hidden code in that section, and none has been removed lately. If you're getting something perhaps it's on your computer's end. - Wikidemon (talk) 20:46, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

He died on June 23

Death announcement made on Jun 24 but he die on Jun 23. Be sure to make death date Jun 23. Beep beep! 68.81.180.171 (talk) 00:12, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

"He also appeared in 'The Princess Bride'"?

That's all we're saying about it? Yikes. It's arguably better-known than Columbo to the younger generation. I'll comb through the articles and obits and add what I can. Also going to see what we have about The In-Laws ... on the commentary track for the DVD, he and Alan Arkin say that the filming was so delightful that they felt sure the film would flop, because it had been their experience that the fun one has during filming is inversely proportional to the eventual success of a movie. Lawikitejana (talk) 11:24, 25 June 2011 (UTC) Update: Lest my assertion be considered unsupported opinion ... The obits I've found so far generally mention TPB in the first sentence, and CBS News specifically states, "Younger fans know him as the grandfather who read to his sick grandson and narrated The Princess Bride." (CBS News, "Peter Falk of Columbo fame dies at 83, fans mourn online," June 24, 2011.) Lawikitejana (talk) 11:30, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Daughters

Falk is survived by two daughters, not three. The named reference, 42, confirms this. I've rarely edited a Wikipedia article, so would like someone more experienced to do this. NSpector (talk) 15:30, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

In the Personal life section of this article it mentions that Falk had two adopted daughters from his first marriage. However, in the Failing health and death section it states: "Falk was survived by his wife and three daughters." Can anyone confirm the details of Falk's family? 76.65.30.43 (talk) 16:21, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Miksa Falk

Is there a reliable source that he was his great-grandfather? There was none cited in the article. All Hallow's Wraith (talk) 20:02, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

The story of his relationship to Miksa Falk is a fabrication, based upon the reports of Peter's Hungarian ancestry. The Hungarian connection is on Peter's MOTHER'S side (specifically, his maternal grandfather, Peter Hochhauser), not his father's. Peter Falk's paternal grandfather, Louis Falk, was Russian-born and most certainly was NOT a son of the Hungarian publisher Miksa Falk. The census data necessary to prove this is provided in the referenced sources. To all editors: Please stop propagating this rumor with no legitimate source (especially when we have proof to the contrary). -- Trowbridge (talk) 18:27, 25 June 2011 (UTC)
Users are still trying to add in the discredited relationship to Miksa Falk. Genealogist Nick Gombash has been researching Miksa Falk's descendants in an attempt to find a connection. Miksa had three sons -- Frigyes, Ede and Ernő -- all of whom were Hungarian Roman Catholics. One of these three would have to be Peter Falk's paternal grandfather. But as previously established, Peter's grandfather was Louis Falk, a Jew born in Russia in 1873. I have yet to hear a credible theory as to how one of Miksa Falk's Hungarian Roman Catholic sons could have been born in Russia, then converted to Judaism and emigrated to the USA where he began calling himself "Louis." Unless someone can come up with a credible theory, or find a reliable source that isn't a circular reference derived from Wikipedia's previous error, this silly imagined claim needs to be put to rest. -- Trowbridge (talk) 21:19, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

21st Greatest TV Star of All Time

We've got "In 1996 TV Guide ranked him number 21 on it's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list." in the lead - is this a significant award, or is it just a magazine running a one-off "here are some famous TV stars we thought of" feature? As a reader unfamiliar with "TV Guide", it seems fairly trivial and uninsightful next to Falk's Golden Globe and Emmy awards. --McGeddon (talk) 15:56, 22 August 2011 (UTC)

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The pronunciation of Falk

Should Peter Falk's surname be pronounced as [fɔːlk] or as [fɔːk]? In other words, is the -l- pronounced or mute? 151.70.83.28 (talk) 10:12, 25 June 2011 (UTC)

Falk as in talk or walk, not as in "alc"oholic. 87.194.86.204 (talk) 22:15, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
The original poster's alternative pronunciation was not as in alcoholic, but rather as in falcon. I agree, it's as in walk, not as in falcon. --Trovatore (talk) 07:57, 5 July 2011 (UTC)
Not a hugely useful comment, Trov, since the pronunciation of "falcon" differs, even within the same idiolect. Is it fal-kuhn or fall-kuhn or faw-kuhn or fol-kuhn? -- Jack of Oz [your turn] 07:01, 9 September 2011 (UTC)
Talk and walk both rhyme with fork, at least around here. "Falk" is "fall" with a "K" sound appended - the "L" ends up fairly unstressed but isstill present. Crispmuncher (talk) 07:52, 9 September 2011 (UTC)
Well, he was American, so I don't think he'd rhyme talk with fork — first of all, the latter has an r! I'm pretty sure he was rhotic.
Second, to me, none of talk, walk, Falk have any sort of [ɔː] vowel, which I'm guessing would be in the non-rhotic fork. The vowel is closer to the cot vowel than to the caught vowel, so maybe [fɑk]? Not completely sure.
I grant that falcon is not a great choice; I myself don't pronounce it consistently (sometimes with an [æ] and sometimes with a [ɑ] or whatever that is). But my main point is that the L is not pronounced.
Falk is like the first syllable of falcon as pronounced by the characters in the movie version of The Maltese Falcon. Is that specific enough? --Trovatore (talk) 08:19, 9 September 2011 (UTC)
Oops, somehow managed to confuse myself. Falcon does have an L sound, Falk does not. So I should say "Falk is NOT like the first syllable of falcon as pronounced by...". I guess my point was, that was the version of falcon I was thinking of, when I said that's not it. --Trovatore (talk) 08:22, 9 September 2011 (UTC)
Anyway, is everybody sure that the -l- is NOT pronounced in Peter Falk's surname?151.75.46.137 (talk) 14:52, 2 November 2011 (UTC)

Did Prouty really say "dissemble"?

Describing his role, Variety columnist Howard Prouty writes, "The joy of all this is watching Columbo dissemble the fiendishly clever cover stories of the loathsome rats who consider themselves his better."

If that's what he literally wrote, we should probably put a [sic]. (See wikt:dissemble.) Anyone have the original? With luck, he actually wrote disassemble, and we can change it to that. --Trovatore (talk) 19:39, 26 June 2011 (UTC)

You are putting your own interpretation of what the guy wrote. Dissemble does make sense. Disassemble also makes sense. Headbomb {talk / contribs / physics / books} 09:12, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
Actually I take that back. He's talking about Columbo, not Falk as an actor. Nevermind then. Headbomb {talk / contribs / physics / books} 09:14, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
Cool. Thanks for actually responding on the talk page. I put this section here when I first added the [sic], and you're the first person to respond. --Trovatore (talk) 09:15, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
Dissemble MAY make sense if it was describing the way he dealt with the people (and would make sense if it was describing the way the people were being towards him and others regarding the incident), but disseminate would make as much sense as disassemble regarding the above quote while dissemble does not. Someone needs to read a dictionary, methinks 87.194.86.204 (talk) 22:23, 29 June 2011 (UTC)
I agree. It is reminiscent of trying to demonstrate the difference between "licence" and "license", "gratuity" and "gratuitous" or any other confusable terms. The fact that the reader is unable to distinguish between different terms does not make the author illiterate. Complaining about it merely demonstrates one's ignorance. Crispmuncher (talk) 07:44, 5 July 2011 (UTC).
Dissemble does not make sense in context, period. If it's what the author meant to write, then he made a mistake. This is for certain.
Columbo did, of course, dissemble. But he did not dissemble the criminals' cover stories. Anyone who thinks he did, either does not know what dissemble means, or did not watch the show. --Trovatore (talk) 07:53, 5 July 2011 (UTC)

This doesn't really seem an insightful enough quote to merit a clunking great "[sic]" in the lead. And it's really just a comment on the scriptwriting of the Columbo series, it doesn't tell us anything much about Falk. Perhaps we should just drop it? (Or move it over to the Columbo article, which doesn't appear to quote Prouty's opinion of the show, if it's a significant opinion.) --McGeddon (talk) 15:58, 22 August 2011 (UTC)

That's an angle I hadn't really thought of. You might be right. I enjoyed Falk's work but I'm not an expert or even particularly a fan (not in the sense of "not a fan" meaning don't like him, just have never followed him closely), so I have no strong opinion on that. --Trovatore (talk) 18:17, 22 August 2011 (UTC)
Noticing it again, I've now moved it to the Columbo article. --McGeddon (talk) 11:40, 31 January 2012 (UTC)

The pronunciation of "Falk" again

Can we be reasonably sure that the -l- is NOT pronounced in Peter Falk's surname?

Should we give a pronunciation of the surname? IF we're sure, that'd be a good idea, I think.

Does anybody know how he pronounced his surname himself? I mean: a Youtube video, a TV interview, or something like that...

Thanks. 151.75.49.223 (talk) 22:49, 13 June 2012 (UTC)

Columbo's First Name96.51.84.160 (talk) 05:32, 14 August 2012 (UTC)

Wher do you get the name "Frank"? Columbo's first name is never revealed. In the special with Faye Dunaway, she asks him his first name and he replies "Lieutenant." I've never heard his first name in all seven seasons and the specials.96.51.84.160 (talk) 05:32, 14 August 2012 (UTC)

Look in the Columbo article, where you will see an close-up image of his police ID, in which his first name is clearly legible. Also the whole question of his first name is discussed at considerable length on the talk page of that same article. Invertzoo (talk) 13:20, 18 September 2012 (UTC)

Irish-sounding last name?

"Some have also mistakenly thought he is Irish-American because of his Irish-sounding last name." What Irish Name does it sound like? 89.101.80.60 (talk) 23:04, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Good point. Stetsonharry (talk) 02:53, 15 January 2009 (UTC)
"Falk" could perfectly well be a German name, too. And a Swedish one as well. I don't see the "Irish" in that word either... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.59.8.167 (talk) 15:32, 4 February 2011 (UTC)
German name172.56.38.18 (talk) 00:26, 26 February 2018 (UTC)

Artist

172.56.38.18 (talk) 00:30, 26 February 2018 (UTC) 
Mr. Falk, who began sketching as a way to while away time on movie sets, had had many gallery shows of his charcoal drawings and watercolors.
172.56.38.18 (talk) 00:59, 26 February 2018 (UTC)

CIA Application

Sorry for this drive-by.

In a video biography (that I cannot find for some reason at the moment) Falk stated that his travel and work in Yugoslavia was the primary reason for being rejected by the CIA.

If I find that again, will be sure to contribute it here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by SteveJEsposito (talk • contribs) 12:49, 10 August 2019 (UTC)

Russian Doll

This page was shown briefly in Season 2 Episode 4 of Russian Doll, at around 00:12:57. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Thisusernamewasnottaken (talk • contribs) 11:40, 21 April 2022 (UTC)

Grandson Luke Falk?

The article states that he is the grandfather of Washington State University quarterback Luke Falk, which seems incorrect and which I cannot source. Remove?

il manque une version de "Brigadoon" dans les films TV (1966) 2.6.111.237 (talk) 12:57, 26 November 2022 (UTC)

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