STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
Larry Manetti, second from left, and Tom Selleck, third from left, at opening of the Black Orchid restaurant in 1988 with Pat Bowlen, left, and Randy Schoch.
STAR-ADVERTISER FILE
Frank Sinatra made an appearance on "Magnum, P.I."
Thirty years ago at this time we had just elected a new president, found out who shot J.R. and mourned the death of John Lennon. Earlier in the year, Jack Lord had said his final " Book ’em" as Steve McGarrett and a new show was making its national debut on CBS and filming on location in Hawaii: "Magnum, P.I."
The two-hour premiere aired on the mainland on Dec. 11, 1980, and locally on KGMB eight days later.
"Magnum, P.I." also brought us into a new decade with new hairstyles, music and fashion. The series also brought forth a new type of detective. Gone were the 1970s-era TV sleuths, often middle-aged men with beat-up cars. You had a handsome leading man in Tom Selleck, who wore a Detroit Tigers cap and drove around in a shiny red Ferrari 308 GTS.
While earlier shows, for the most part, ignored the Vietnam War, Thomas Sullivan Magnum served in Vietnam, and so did his friends Rick Wright (Larry Manetti) and T.C. (Roger E. Mosley). Their friendship and bond with one another served as the strong base for the series.
When asked what the key ingredients behind the success of the show were, Manetti said: "Hawaii was the big star, Tom Selleck and the combination of all of us together. … We were all great friends on and off the set."
The series also cast local talent, including Kwan Hi Lim, Glenn Cannon, Elissa Dulce Hoopai, Joe Moore, Branscombe Richmond, Jimmy Borges, Dick Jensen and Linda Ryan in a number of episodes.
Ryan recalled that unlike the "Hawaii Five-0" squad, the lead "Magnum" characters "were three-dimensional, with social lives, relatives and back stories. Magnum the jokester was the diametrical opposite of McGarrett the authoritarian; however, both characters were genuinely reflective of their eras. The mood on a set starts with the star; Jack’s sets were tense, Tom’s were relaxed."
Former "Hawaii 5-0" stars Zulu, Al Harrington, Kam Fong, Herman Wedemeyer, Doug Mossman, Harry Endo and Moe Keale each appeared in at least one "Magnum" episode.
A bevy of well-known movie and TV actors also appeared on the series, naturally wanting a chance to film in the islands. They included Dennis Weaver, Ernest Borgnine, Morgan Fairchild, Jill St. John, Ted Danson, Carol Channing, Gwen Verdon, Cesar Romero, Angela Lansbury and Sharon Stone.
Some celebs were fans of the show. Carol Burnett, a Hawaii resident at the time, appeared twice. Another fan was Frank Sinatra, who appeared in the 1987 episode "Laura."
Manetti said he loved working with Sinatra. "It was a dream come true and I think about it all the time. Terrific experience," he said.
CBS aired 156 episodes of "Magnum," with six two-hour special episodes. All eight seasons of the show have been released on DVD by Universal for fans to enjoy, and the series is rerun locally on KWHE weekdays at 6 p.m. Both Selleck and John Hillerman (Jonathan Higgins) won Golden Globe and Emmy awards during the series.
"Magnum, P.I." was a consistent ratings winner, ranking as high as fourth in the Nielsen ratings during its third season in 1982-83. The show meant a great deal to the state; in 1986 Variety reported the series spent $22 million in Hawaii.
The 1986-87 season ended with Magnum dying from a gunshot wound, his spirit saying goodbye to everyone and walking off into TV heaven. But there was an outcry from loyal fans who wanted the show and the character to live on, which it did for one final season, bowing out after eight years in May 1988.
Tom Selleck is now starring in the new CBS series "Blue Bloods." A big-screen version of "Magnum, P.I." has been rumored for several years, but most fans would like to see Selleck play the title role he made famous.
Selleck also talked about this recently in TV Guide: "I keep hearing about a movie. Universal has the rights, and they don’t call and they don’t write. That said, if you took a poll tomorrow as to who should play him, I can almost guarantee I would win. … Magnum’s in the Smithsonian, and for a very good reason. It was the first show to portray Vietnam veterans in a positive light. I’m very proud of that."
A.J. McWhorter, a collector of film and videotape cataloging Hawaii’s TV history, has worked as a producer, writer and researcher for both local and national media. E-mail him at flashback@hawaii.rr.com.
FAQs
You are able to stream Magnum, P.I. by renting or purchasing on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, and Vudu.
How many Magnum PI's have there been? ›
| Magnum, P.I. |
|---|
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 162 (list of episodes) |
| Production |
| Executive producers | Donald P. Bellisario Glen A. Larson Tom Selleck |
18 more rowsThe series ran on CBS, which broadcast 162 first-run episodes over eight seasons, from December 11, 1980, to May 1, 1988.
What was the last Magnum PI show about? ›
Where can I find all seasons of Magnum PI? ›
Right now you can watch Magnum P.I. on Peaco*ck or fuboTV. You are able to stream Magnum P.I. by renting or purchasing on Google Play, Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and Vudu.
What channel is the original Magnum PI on? ›
Magnum P.I. - NBC.com. Magnum P.I.
Is Magnum P.I. coming back in 2023? ›
A return date for Magnum P.I. has not been announced, but we can confirm the show will be back midseason/summer 2024.
Why did Magnum P.I. end? ›
Its cancellation was reportedly due to licensing fee disagreements between CBS and Universal Television, per Deadline. Despite the show's popularity (it ranked No. 9 out of CBS's 14 network dramas, per TVLine), CBS and Universal Television reportedly could not reach an agreement.
Is the original Higgins from Magnum P.I. still alive? ›
Later years and death
After Hillerman retired from acting in 1999, he returned to his home state of Texas. On November 9, 2017, he died of cardiovascular disease at his Houston home, at the age of 84.
How is Magnum P.I. doing in the ratings? ›
NBC | Magnum P.I. with its midseason finale slipped to its second-smallest audience of Season 5A (barely 3 mil) while posting its third 0.2 rating in four episodes; read recap.
"Magnum P.I." is filmed at the intersection of South King and and Bishop streets in downtown Honolulu, Monday, March 27.
What happened to Magnum P.I. wife Michelle? ›
Michelle eventually remarried, but she wouldn't ever get her happily ever after. She was killed, along with her new husband — and presumably Lily — in a car bomb.
Is Higgins really Robin Masters? ›
"Robin Masters was never Higgins," Bellisario said. "People say that all the time but you'll see, if you look at it, you'll see Robin Masters' hand on a drink in a private jet talking on a phone to Higgins early on, like the first year or something like that."
Does Magnum find out Higgins is Robin Masters? ›
The idea that Higgins could secretly be Masters became a long running gag in the series after Thomas told his friends Theodore "T.C." Calvin, and Orville "Rick" Wright about his idea. In the final episode of the series, Higgins tells Magnum that he really is Robin Masters.
What happened to the Magnum P.I. House? ›
The estate that became known as the Robin's Nest was demolished in April 2018, around the same time the Magnum P.I. reboot came into being.
Are all seasons of Magnum PI on Paramount plus? ›
Paramount+ Premium: Provides live streaming access to your local CBS station so you can watch Magnum P.I. episodes when they air Sunday nights at 9 p.m. This plan also provides on-demand ad-free access to Paramount+ content, including all 5 seasons of Magnum P.I. (Live CBS will still have commercials).
Where can I watch Magnum PI 2023? ›
Watch Magnum P.I. on NBC and Peaco*ck. Season 5 of Magnum P.I. on NBC has been one for the books since its premiere in February 2023.
Is Magnum, P.I. on Netflix? ›
Is Magnum P.I. streaming on Netflix US? For now of least, Magnum P.I. is not available to stream on Netflix.
Has Magnum P.I. been picked up by NBC? ›
Thankfully for fans, NBC stepped in and saved "Magnum P.I.," a remake of the '80s Hawaiian crime-fighting action series originally starring Tom Selleck.
Where is the new Magnum P.I. house located? ›
The living room and some water-view interior shots are filmed at the Banyan House resort in Honolulu. Other interior scenes are filmed on a soundstage. The mix of actual settings and made-up ones is par for the course for a TV series. The NBC reboot also makes the most of the island of Oahu, where the show shoots.
About Magnum P.I. Find out more about Magnum P.I. airing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!
Who is the new Higgins on Magnum PI? ›
The new Magnum P.I. puts an inspired twist on the show by having the character of Higgins be a badass woman named Juliet Higgins. Better yet, the role is perfectly played by the ultra-talented Perdita Weeks.
What is the most recent Magnum PI series? ›
The fifth season premiered on February 19, 2023. Magnum P.I. takes place in the same fictional universe as two other series, both also developed by Lenkov and both also reboots of earlier crime shows: Hawaii Five-0 and MacGyver. The three shows have been collectively referred to as the "Lenkov-verse".
How many episodes are there in Magnum PI 2023? ›
However, there in lies the good news because season 5 was originally just supposed to consist of 10 episodes in total, but apparently, NBC was so pleased with its performance that they decided to extend it out to 20 episodes.
What is the ring that Thomas Magnum wears? ›
“The Cross of Lorraine was a symbol used by the French resistance during World War II, and is featured in many film and television depictions of the French resistance including the 1942 film Casablanca.” Selleck and Universal Pictures donated the iconic ring to the museum after the original series wrapped up in 1988.
What does Tom Selleck make per episode? ›
Selleck's salary for Blue Bloods is $200,000 per episode. This puts him among the highest-paid actors on television. His salary is only surpassed by a handful of actors, including Mark Harmon (NCIS) and Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory).
How many seasons of the original Magnum P.I. were there? ›
Are Magnum and Higgins a couple? ›
Now that Season 5 of Magnum P.I. is finally on NBC, fans finally got what they've been for: Thomas Magnum and Juliet Higgins have officially become a couple! (C'mon, did you see that steamy shower scene in the premiere?)
Did Magnum marry Higgins? ›
In a surprising twist, Magnum suggests that the two get married so she can stay in Hawaii and they can continue fighting crime together. She agrees at first, but then changes her mind a few episodes later and backs out of the arrangement.
Has anyone from Magnum P.I. been on Blue Bloods? ›
Thomas Magnum and Orville "Rick" Wright are back at it again. Tom Selleck and his Magnum P.I. costar Larry Manetti had a little reunion of the classic '80s crime drama on Selleck's current crime drama, Blue Bloods.
Tom Selleck makes most of his income from acting, screenwriting, and producing. The star made $500,000 per episode of Magnum, P.I. This is worth about $1,806,498.79 today.
How old is Magnum supposed to be in Magnum PI? ›
The character Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV was around forty years old during the original series, although a variety of birthdates have been indicated (see § Birthdate below). Both his father and grandfather were naval officers. He was born in Detroit, but raised in the Tidewater region of Virginia.
Did Magnum PI have low ratings? ›
NBC's decision to revive Magnum P.I. after CBS canceled it seemed like a win-win scenario. Now, the numbers are dropping -- hard -- weeks after the show touched down in its new home. Magnum P.I. Season 5 Episode 7 fell to 2.6 million viewers and a 0.2 rating in the all-important 18-49 demo.
Is Rick's bar in Magnum real? ›
A beach bar was opened as the location for 'Rick's Bar' in the TV series Magnum P.I. The bar is now The Kahala O Ke Kai, a beautiful oceanfront function room.
Where is the bar in Magnum filmed? ›
La Mariana was founded in 1957 by Annnette and Johnny Campbell, according to hawaii-guide.com. Decades later, it is a “living museum” of old Hawaii. Decorations and furnishings convey a local look.
Is Magnum P.I. Mexican? ›
And that's not all; his frequent foil Higgins — originally played by John Hillerman — is now portrayed by Perdita Weeks. “We're certainly not denying the fact that [Magnum] is Mexican-American,” executive producer Eric Guggenheim tells Yahoo Entertainment. “It is something that is acknowledged in the series.
Why did Abby leave Magnum? ›
When Abby decides to leave Hawaii after she is disbarred for hiring Magnum to prove Conlan's guilt, she ends her relationship with Magnum. She tells him, “I think that there might be somebody else out there who is better suited for you.
Is Susie on Magnum P.I. pregnant? ›
In one video call, Rick is happily surprised to learn that he and Suzy are expecting a baby. RELATED: Does The Original Thomas Magnum, Tom Selleck, Appear In The New Magnum P.I.? Suzy returns to Hawaii at the end of the season after the residency ends to an eager Rick, who hopes to rekindle their romance.
What rank was Magnum P.I. in the Navy? ›
Thomas Sullivan Magnum IV is a licensed Private Investigator, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, and as of 1988 had returned to the United States Navy as a Commander.
Who owns the original Magnum P.I. Ferrari? ›
Ferrari North America provided CBS with the vehicles and reclaimed them once they were done with filming to repaint and sell to new owners. The Ferrari sold today — which was purchased by an unidentified buyer at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz.
He retired in 1999. Hillerman never married and died on November 9, 2017.
What was on Magnum P.I. license plate? ›
This episode (now comprised of two parts that originally aired together on December 11, 1980) is the only one where the Ferrari 308 GTS that Magnum drives has a license plate of "56E-478".
Who betrayed Magnum? ›
For a reason that Magnum discovers only years later, Hannah betrayed his trust, which led to his capture and time spent as a POW.
What gun did Magnum P.I. carry? ›
One of Tom Selleck's most celebrated roles came as the Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum. This Colt 1911 pistol was used by Selleck on-screen as a trusty sidearm.
Why does Magnum live with Higgins? ›
Robin liked Magnum and thought Higgins needed help since the estate was so large. Robin wanted Magnum close by so he could use his “adventures' as inspiration for storylines in his books.
Which island was Magnum P.I. filmed on? ›
Filming locations take place in Honolulu, Waimanolo, Kaneohe, Aiea, Waialua, Kapolei, and Kailua, Hawaii. “We used every inch of that Island,” Eric Guggenheim, showrunner for Magnum P.I., told NBC Insider. “No matter where you are, it's beautiful. It's so picturesque.
Who was Magnum P.I. girlfriend? ›
Lia Kaleo is a character who is currently working in the Honolulu Police Department as Detective and Magnum's girlfriend on Magnum P.I.. She is portrayed by Chantal Thuy.
Is original Magnum PI on Netflix? ›
Nope. No other region across the world currently has access to stream Magnum P.I. on Netflix.
Does Hulu have the original Magnum PI? ›
The series is on Hulu, but it's only available with a subscription to Live TV as well. Previous seasons are no longer available on Paramount+, but you can rent it on Prime Video and Apple TV.
Is the original Magnum PI on Paramount plus? ›
Paramount+ Premium: Provides live streaming access to your local CBS station so you can watch Magnum P.I. episodes when they air Sunday nights at 9 p.m. This plan also provides on-demand ad-free access to Paramount+ content, including all 5 seasons of Magnum P.I. (Live CBS will still have commercials).
At the moment, Magnum PI is not currently available to watch on Netflix. While the streaming platform is home to plenty of crime-busting shows like NCIS, Criminal Minds, Forensic Files and Quantico, unfortunately this particular series is not one of them.
Where can I watch original Magnum, P.I. for free? ›
Magnum, P.I., a crime drama series starring Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, and Roger E. Mosley is available to stream now. Watch it on Freevee, Philo, Prime Video, Vudu or Apple TV on your Roku device.
Why did the original Magnum, P.I. get Cancelled? ›
Its cancellation was reportedly due to licensing fee disagreements between CBS and Universal Television, per Deadline. Despite the show's popularity, CBS and Universal Television reportedly could not reach an agreement. Universal and CBS's other shows, the FBI franchise and The Equalizer, were renewed.
Is Magnum, P.I. on Peaco*ck? ›
Frequently Asked Questions. Download the Peaco*ck app and start streaming full episodes of Magnum P.I.. You can watch Magnum P.I. on Peaco*ck.
Will Magnum P.I. be picked up by a streaming service? ›
Thomas Magnum is locked and loaded, as the “Magnum P.I.” reboot is heading back to NBC and its accompanying streamer, Peaco*ck, for its fifth season.
Is Magnum P.I. on the Hallmark Channel? ›
airing on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries!
Why doesn t Paramount Plus have all episodes? ›
If a show or episode is not available, it's likely due to restrictions in streaming rights. But remember, with Paramount+, you have over 40,000 episodes and movies to choose from, along with live sports like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League!
What shows are original on Paramount plus? ›
Reality
| Title | Genre | Premiere |
|---|
| The Thomas John Experience | Mediumship | June 4, 2020 |
| The Real World Homecoming | Reality | March 4, 2021 |
| The Challenge: All Stars | Reality competition | April 1, 2021 |
| Love Island: Exclusive Episodes | Dating show | July 12, 2021 |
4 more rowsMichelle eventually remarried, but she wouldn't ever get her happily ever after. She was killed, along with her new husband — and presumably Lily — in a car bomb.
Is Magnum on Roku? ›
Streaming on Roku. Magnum P.I., an adventure series starring Jay Hernandez, Perdita Weeks, and Zachary Knighton is available to stream now. Watch it on Prime Video, Apple TV or Vudu on your Roku device.
PASADENA, Calif. – Out of all of the dangers private investigator Thomas Magnum faced, cancellation could've proved the most deadly. Thankfully for fans, NBC stepped in and saved "Magnum P.I.," a remake of the '80s Hawaiian crime-fighting action series originally starring Tom Selleck.
