Yeah, so we’re gonna be revisiting the whole Magnum, P.I. run!
Tom Selleck as MAGNUM.
Last couple of years or so, we have indeed watched a lot of Tom Selleck material. Including, ultimately, the whole run of Blue Bloods. In which he was great, BTW. Obviously we also saw the two episodes of The Rockford Files he did—which cemented a lasting friendship with star James Garner.
This one will bring back a lot of early ’80s memories, for sure…
Promo of Magnum with Higgins, played by John Hillerman.
As a replacement for Hawaii Five-O, essentially (ie. a weekly show set in Hawaii), this was the commitment that prevented Selleck from playing Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. He was replaced by some other guy who I believe faded into obscurity.
Initially, Magnum was a more serious affair, about which Selleck had reservations. It was Jimbo Garner who urged him to negotiate the terms. Tom favoured a more Rockford-esque, light-hearted approach—and got his way.
Jim and Tom are pictured in the 1978 ROCKFORD episode “White on White and Nearly Perfect”.
A viewing of Magnum was inevitable, sooner or later. I am, of course, looking forward to hearing Orson Welles as the voice of Robin Masters in the earlier seasons…
Strange that this guy never really made it as a Movie star.