128 replies to this topic

[giebergoldfarb2]

In honor of the upcoming DVD Release, I thought I'd start a thread for one of the '80-est of '80s shows. Co-created and executive produced by Don Bellisario (who later created Quantum Leap and JAG), starring Tom Selleck, featuring the wonderful John Hillerman, and giving us all the things we exepect from an '80s show: good stories, memorable characters, action, comedy, a really cool car and equally cool Mike Post theme music.

[Busted Flush]

I. Love. This. Show.

• Ever since they were mentioned on The Simpsons I've been fantasizing (in a very non-dirty way. Really.) about Magnum DVDs. So woo hoo!
• When I was in grade school, I would pretend to be sick so I could stay home and watch Magnum (well, and Rockford Files). And I never, ever did anything wrong. But I loved my Thomas-- sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
• Happily, Tivo likes the show as much as I do, so there are always episodes waiting to be watched.
• Hate Rick. And so does Tivo.
• Favorite episode? Probably the Frank Sinatra one just because, you know, Frank Sinatra. Well, that and the one where they got trapped in the elevator. I have a vague memory of that one getting us very close to the bottom of the whole Robin Masters Mystery. I don't want to spoil anyone, but am I remembering this right?
• Have I mentioned yay for the DVDs?

Edited by Busted Flush, Jun 1, 2004 @ 2:01 PM.

[Warden]

Out on DVD? I would be so there except for two things: lack of a DVD player and lack of money.

Oh well, my favorite ep or one that I remember most clearly is "Did You See the Sun Rise?" probably because it was sad as well. It had a really cohesive plot and I never really thought about the sleeper agent as a possibility until that episode. It seemed like a novel idea at the time but nowadays it could become the real deal if the circumstances were right. The final scene is a flashbulb memory type for me.

[RainIsBeautiful]

Hate Rick.

Awwwww, I love Rick! I know Larry Manetti isn't the hottest guy ever, nor was he a very good actor, but I've always had a thing for snarky little guys. (See: Romano on ER.) When I was a toddler, my mom says that I used to try to kiss the screen anytime Rick was on. Hee.

[Fraoch]

When I watch reruns now, I'm fascinated by how very short Magnum's shorts are (or, as my mom likes to call them, "his little pants"). :)

[RainIsBeautiful]

Hee. "Little Pants".

I'd have to say my favorite episode is "Little Girl Who". Can't wait for the DVDs!

[culturevulture73]

Oh well, my favorite ep or one that I remember most clearly is "Did You See the Sun Rise?" probably because it was sad as well.

Still the best. Ending. Ever. on any show, any time, anywhere. Damn, that was some rockin' TV.

And you guys make me feel ancient! I was in my last year of high school when Magnum premiered...

BustedFlush, I'm not sure about the Robin Masters Mystery and elevator ep, but then again, I could have blocked it out because I hated who the finale implied Robin was.

Oh, and I love Rick too.

And Mike Post.

And the lads...

"Oh My GOD!" </Higgins' voice> is still a joke in my family.

[Texas Gal]

Ok...culturevulture73, I guess I'm like you because I can't remember either. I remember who we were always led to believe Robin Master was - but can't remember anything being revealed. And I know I saw the last one because I had to go to my bedroom to cry before my big brothers could see me and tease me about it.

The first poster of a boy/man I put on my walls was Tom Selleck. I so love Magnum. Even if Tom Selleck is an NRA-loving conservative bastard.

[Roark13579]

They never revealed whether Higgins was really Robin. I think at one point in the final episode, Higgins told Magnum that he was, but then later told him he was just playing with him. We never found out, just like we didn't find out whether Rick said "I do" or not.

[culturevulture73]

They never revealed whether Higgins was really Robin. I think at one point in the final episode, Higgins told Magnum that he was, but then later told him he was just playing with him.

See, I hated the whole implication that Higgins is Robin Masters. It just throws the whole series out of whack for me. Besides, Robin is always and forever Orson Welles...

[Roark13579]

Yeah, I never liked the Higgins/Robin thing either; it just didn't make any sense. I could believe that Higgins might write some trashy stuff for fun and publish it under Robin's name because he was embarassed to use his own, but the idea that he'd develop a whole persona and hire an actor to play the role -- that's just way more trouble than you'd need to go to to protect a pseudonym. Also, if Higgins were really Robin and owner of the estate, I don't think he'd let actor-Robin wager the estate on a softball game, just to give one example of a time when Robin did his own thing against Higgins's wishes.

[RainIsBeautiful]

but the idea that he'd develop a whole persona and hire an actor to play the role

Especially since so many of the guests of the estate seemed to know Robin and Higgins personally...and separately.

Is it horrible that I stay up every night to catch the reruns on the Hallmark Channel? I can almost always stay awake through the first one, but the second (that starts at midnight) is a tad too late for me!

[10rags]

Oh yes, Tom Sellecks's tiny pants. A girl needs a reason to believe. I remember stealing a Stetson Cologne ad from a department store with Selleck on it. ( Still have it!) I was teaching school at the time, way past the age of stupid, not. A few years later one of my son's first words was Mah-gum. He would droole and grin when the music played.

I never wanted Higgins to be Masters. It was too easy. I hated the last season. After the Lily stories I just couldn't forgive them for putting me through that. I enjoyed the men's friendship and such well written stories. And there was also Tom Selleck who I still adore.

Edited by 10rags, Jun 27, 2004 @ 11:35 AM.

[ranchogrande]

Anyone remember the episode where Magnum is hired by Sharon Stone? THAT was a great one, called "Echoes of the Mind". Anytime Magnum fell in love it was sure to be a good episode.

[areacode212]

Yeah, Magnum! So...I got the DVDs last night ($37.99 at Circuit City), and I started to watch the pilot. Having never seen these early episodes, I was pretty surprised to find out that there was an "original" Magnum theme song that predated the classic ass-kicking one we all know and love. The old theme music kind of sucked. I had to pop in the last disc (which contains the S3 Simon and Simon crossover and the 2 Sharon Stone eps from S5) to get my fix.

[Ilovemybasset]

Oh yes, Tom Sellecks's tiny pants.

I am old enough to remember the days when shorts were shorts not the horrible abominations that pass as shorts nowadays. Ahem. I used to have a huge crush on Magnum, not the actor Tom Selleck but the character Magnum P.I. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I lived in Europe and Hawaii was the epitome of exotic for me back then.

I was also madly in love with the Ferrari.

Edited by Ilovemybasset, Sep 22, 2004 @ 12:40 AM.

[mickeyjace]

You all are bringing back great memories! I loved Magnum and his boyish giggle and grins. I loved TC, Rick annoyed me at times but I loved Higgins. I promised myself that one day I would have 2 dogs and name them Zeus and Apollo in honor of Higgins. I went on a tour in Hawaii and they passed the estate that they used to film at. Couldn't see much through the gates since it's a private residence but it was still great to see.

[RainIsBeautiful]

Anytime Magnum fell in love it was sure to be a good episode.

Didn't he fall in love with all his (eligible) female clients? ;)

[AngelaC]

I'm another one to make some reading this feel old.

Magnum came on after my bedtime when it first aired. So, I would have to wait for my parents to go out and then my sister, who was babysitting, would let me stay up and watch. I remember being annoyed because the two times I got a chance to watch, it was the same DANG episode!

Of course, as I got older, I got to watch the episodes when they aired.

I just loved Magnum P.I.! Heck, the whole family loved Magnum! My mother's favorite was Higgins and T.C., mine was the dogs (hey, I was 8,9?) and my sister, the Ferrari and then Thomas.

I don't remember specific episodes or titles but I will say that as the show went along I can remember thinking how depressing and serious it was getting.

"Oh My GOD!" </Higgins' voice> is still a joke in my family.

culturevulture73, that was favorite of my mother's and I can still hear Higgins voice in my head.

Oh, let's see what else I remember.

Higgins setting off a small cannon on the lawn of the mansion and Magnum ducking, in the credits.
T.C. kicking back in a chair with a bottle of booze in one hand as it's raining outside.
"Higgie Baby"
King Kahmahaha Club (Boy, I hope I spelled that right)
"Don't look at the dogs, don't look at the dogs, don't look at the dogs." Magnum looks at the dogs fast approaching him while he's trying to pick the lock to the Ferrari. "You looked at the dogs."
Magnum and the incredibly wiggling eyebrows.
Higgins rather longwinded speechs on whatever subject was at hand.
Magnum always trying to get T.C. to take him somewhere because of a job for free.

Woooo! Boy, this brings back memories.

I thought I read somewhere that a Magnum P.I. movie is going to be filmed. Any choices for the roles?

[plk]

There was a fantastic episode on the other day where Sharon Stone played TWINS! And yes, one of them was good and one was eeeevil. But even better, it turned out that the eeevil twin died in a Very Tragic car crash, causing the good one to go insane. Her personality split, and so while it seemed that there were two twins, there was only one. Of course, Magnum didn't realize this, and had steamy shower sex with the good twin anyway. This helped nothing and only drove crazytwin deeper into her homicidal rage.

Classic, classic episode.

[D.C.]

Who was the old, retired gangster that Rick befriended? 'Cause there's a bit of trivia about him that I've remembered all these years and finally have a place to post. He was played by Elijah Cook, Jr. Elisha Cook, Jr. played the young gunsel in The Maltese Falcon, the one who worked for Gutman (Sydney Greenstreet) and who the gang decided to give up to the police as the fall guy in the whole project (and in the book it is suggested he was Gutman's young toy boy). He seems to have had a nice little career playing young gangsters--I remember him in similar roles in other movies. It certainly was a long career, at any rate.

[sofa addicted]

Who was the old, retired gangster that Rick befriended?

That would be Icepick, who never seemed to stop doing "one last favor" for Rick every time the Magnum boys got in a jam. Cool bit of trivia about Elijah Cook, D C!

I'm glad the hot pants shorts went out of style. Watching old Magnums now makes me wonder how guys could have gone out in public wearing shorts that barely cover the goods. Not to mention that not all guys have legs like Tom Selleck's.

Edited by sofa addicted, Sep 28, 2004 @ 1:38 AM.

[RainIsBeautiful]

"Higgie Baby"

I say this all the time, and very few people know what I'm talking about. Sad...

There was a fantastic episode on the other day where Sharon Stone played TWINS! And yes, one of them was good and one was eeeevil.

That was one of the best episodes, IMO. The car scene at the very beginning is burned into my brain forever.

[biodtl]

I thought I read somewhere that a Magnum P.I. movie is going to be filmed. Any choices for the roles?

I haven't heard anything lately about it, but I recall that a survey was done by a magazine (maybe tv guide) that asked who you would want to play Magnum. it included Clooney, maybe Pitt, and I can't remember who else. And who won? Tome Selleck. I might see the movie if it didn't have Tom Selleck, but I doubt it. He is now and forever my imaginary tv boyfriend.

[RainIsBeautiful]

Has anyone bought the S1 DVDs? I'm curious as to whether or not they are worth my money. ;)

[areacode212]

Yeah, I have them, and I've been watching them on and off for the past couple of months. I'd say they're worth it if you're like me, and you haven't seen these episodes since the 80s. But if you're looking for exciting extras with tons of behind-the-scenes material, well....we'll have to wait for later seasons, because the only "extras" on this set consist of future episodes of the show (ep. 3.03, "Ki'is Don't Lie", the corresponding Simon and Simon crossover episode, and the Sharon Stone two-parter from season 5). I wonder why they're included here....maybe they wanted to put these episodes on DVD, just in case the sets didn't sell well enough to justify releasing the later seasons??

A lot of these eps hold up pretty well, male hot pants notwithstanding.

[soccer]

A lot of these eps hold up pretty well, male hot pants notwithstanding.

I remember these shows from when I was a kid. I never really understood what was going on, because, well, I was too young to really be watching the show. I would much rather watch a show like this than say, a cheap knock off like Hawaii. Not that Hawaii was that bad, but it will never be of the same caliber that Mangum, P.I. was.

[RainIsBeautiful]

Thanks, areacode212. I still love Magnum whenever I can watch it (kisses to WGN), so I think I'll have to come up with the cash to get these DVDs. :)

FWIW, I never thought Hawaii was supposed to be a knock-off of Magnum, just like Lost isn't a knock-off of Gilligan's Island. Detectives vs. Private Investigators, Classic red car vs. red Ferrarri, living on a lush oceanside property vs. the inside of a smelly police station...it's not the same. Similar, sure, but the storylines were enough to say not the same AT ALL. There was no clear lead in Hawaii (Magnum's character), no Higgins character, and while the rest of the main cast served as pretty eye candy, the same can't be said about T.C. and Rick. They just don't have the hotness factor of Sharif Atkins and Ivan Sergei. [/soapbox]

Edited by RainIsBeautiful, Oct 31, 2004 @ 9:19 AM.

[areacode212]

Watching these DVDs makes me wonder if the ratings for Veronica Mars would improve if "P.I." was appended to the title and if they got Mike Post to compose a totally awesome theme song for the show.

Oh, one of the things that annoys me about the DVDs is the packaging. First of all, they're double-sided--c'mon, Magnum deserves to have disc cover art, plus they're more vulnerable to fingerprints. Even worse, it's really hard to remove the discs from the case...the plastic inner ring on my Disc 2 is slightly cracked, and it takes several attempts for my DVD player to read side 1. Grrrr.

Anyway, question for those of you who remember the episode "Never Again, Never Again". The ending is kind of weird---do you think we were meant to believe that Magnum shot Lena on the boat? In the last shot of Lena, it looks like she's tightening her grip on the knife she's holding (like she's about to attack Magnum), then it immediately cuts to a long shot of the boat and it stays there for a few moments. It seems to me like we were meant to hear a shot ring out at that point, but they chickened out and didn't add the sound effect (maybe because they thought viewers wouldn't like it if Magnum shot an elderly woman?). Did anyone else have a similar thought, or is it just my overactive imagination?

[soccer]

They just don't have the hotness factor of Sharif Atkins and Ivan Sergei

I don't know, Magnum and Rick were hot in their own way. I think the things that make men hot have changed since the 1980's, at least I hope so. :) As hot as Ivan Sergi is, I don't think that he could pull off the small small shorts, because men are held to a higher fashion standard these days. That is part of their overall allure, not so in the 80's.