CliqueClack Flashback – Magnum, P.I.

Take Tom Selleck, Hawaii, short shorts (thank you ’80s!), the coolest red Ferrari ever, mysteries, humor and one precocious 10-year-old (that’s me) and what do you get? A love affair with Magnum, P.I. that has lasted over 25 years.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying Magnum, P.I., know that it wasn’t just your average detective show. Sure,we got the case of the week, but also a deep back story and an intriguing main character, amazing supporting characters, chemistry and surprises.

Thomas Magnum, with a little help from his old Vietnam fighting buddies, solved cases in Hawaii. He lived in the guest house of a large estate belonging to a famous author, whom Magnum owed a favor, although we never find out quite the deal between the two. Insert two dobermans, a stuffy caretaker, a mysterious past and intriguing cases-of-the-week and you’ve got a lasting formula for a private investigator show that’s a cut above.

What is it about Magnum, P.I. that could capture the attention of a 10-year-old, as well as her parents, and pretty much everyone else around the country who has discriminating taste in television?

Tom Selleck

Take a relatively unknown soap actor (Young and the Restless) from the ’70s, with dimples as deep as Loch Ness, and give him the role of a lifetime — handsome, charming, sexy, funny — and some short shorts and people will watch. Sure, there’s much, much more to Tom Selleck than just eye candy; he really is a true talent who is more than able to pull off the depth required for the role of Magnum.

Thomas Magnum

Not to be confused with the actor who played him, Thomas Magnum was a captivating character who didn’t let the viewers down from week to week. He had a mysterious past and a seemingly simple present — a secret marriage, a Navy SEAL background, a beach bum existence with a sense of humor, Hawaiian shirts,  no socks and the infectious giggle that won over male and female viewers alike. He was tough, but likable; clever and sensitive. Some winning moments:

• The beach runs … oh yeah …
• Attempting to sneak past the dobermans when Higgins would conveniently “forget” to call them off, in like every episode.
• Magnum getting attacked by the parrot.

Chemistry

It’s all about chemistry, right? A current show whose cast is coming close to the chemistry Magnum, P.I.’s cast had is Leverage, but not too many have rivaled the magic between Magnum, Rick and T.C. There was banter; funny, funny banter, but unlike many shows with banter, these guys had a true bond; having fought in the Vietnam war together, their friendship was deep and loyal, which brought another level to the banter. These guys really have each others’ backs. And their timing? Impeccable.

Guest stars

Here’s a spot where Magnum, P.I. followed in the footsteps of other hour-long shows from the ’70s and ’80s: a parade of recognizable guest stars complimented the regular cast each week. No, it wasn’t all Love Boat-like, and most of the guest stars went on to become much more famous later on, like Sharon Stone, Dana Delany and Ted Danson. Although Carol Channing would count as Love Boat-like, right?

Cross-overs

Cross-overs are just smart TV, as far as I’m concerned. It’s fun to get to see your favorite character on other shows, and to have others guest-star on your favorite show. The show gets potential new viewers from exposing them to the new show, and sweeps week is a success.

Magnum, P.I. did the cross-overs well, including ones with Jessica Fletcher of Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon, the show that followed Magnum, P.I. for a while, making one of the best TV blocks ever scheduled on television.

Breaking the fourth wall

It’s been done very infrequently in TV, breaking the fourth wall. It started back with the old comedy variety shows, but was made mainstream by shows that came after Magnum, P.I., like Moonlighting and Boston Legal. But Magnum and Higgins made eye contact with the viewers occasionally, for comedic emphasis. It was cute and charming and not overdone.

I myself feel as though one post about Magnum, P.I. is not enough, and I found it very difficult to do this show justice in one tough-to-tame article. Have I been able to convince you that Magnum, P.I. is worthy of my 25-year-plus love affair?

Sources: Wikipedia, IMDb.

Clacked by Debbie McDuffee
on Dec 24, 2008 @ 10:05 EST5EDT