Dusty Hofferman in the court reminding me off Columbine when I was watch it Sleepers (1996), hana

That's very interesting. It's almost as if Columbo looks for someone who is just a little too eager to help and keep trying to point him into a specific direction.
So many stories, so little time.

Yeah, he played this annoying yet tolerable sweet natured guy.
Of course the suspect has to accept him, however reluctantly, to try and seem inconspicuous and I think that gets to Columbo on who to suspect.

I do feel he plays it up. Several suspects point out that he's far more intelligent than he lets on and that he's always observing.
So many stories, so little time.

He really was a bumbling idiot and solved the cases through pure luck.
My password is password.

Yes, it's literally the entire premise of the series.
Draft Barron Trump

Yes it was. Sometimes being the charming idiot can get better results than the overworried bully.

Are you Russell in dis guise?
Only he would ask such a stupid ****ing question.
My password is password

I think it was a very clever act. He was no moron.