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December 12, 1980…’Magnum P.I.’ Debuts On CBS

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Eyes Of A Generation.com

December 12, 1980…’Magnum P.I.’ Debuts On CBS

Here are some little known facts about the show I thought you may find interesting. Did you know that Orson Welles had agreed to play the roll of the illusive Robin Masters when they finally revealed his persona on camera in a 1985 episode? Unfortunately, he died before they could shoot it.

Before the opportunity rose to film the series in Hawaii, the show was originally to be set in Southern California. One of the reasons for this series being set in Hawaii is that CBS did not want to close its Hawaii production offices when ‘Hawaii Five-O’ ceased production in 1980. This show started production that same year and contains occasional references to Steve McGarrett and Hawaii Five-O, although McGarrett was never shown.

The series featured crossover episodes with ‘Simon and Simon’ and ‘Murder, She Wrote’. Tom Selleck had done a recurring role on ‘The Rockford Files’ just before this and James Garner was to appear on this show as Rockford, but legal wrangles kept that from happening. I think our friend Dick DeBartolo will like the MAD pix. Also attached are several shot of the show in production. Enjoy and share. -Bobby Ellerbee







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9 responses to “December 12, 1980…’Magnum P.I.’ Debuts On CBS”

  1. Barbara Breau

    Loved this show, thanks for the pictures and info. I would love to watch this show again.

  2. Alice Kiekenapp Pesich

    My all yime favor u te actor and show!!

  3. Linda Mcbee

    My heart throb! (Oh, I liked Selleck too !) 🙂

  4. Scott Dobbins

    One of the best shows ever. Great stuff!!

  5. Brandon F.G.

    Magnum’s character was from my hometown of Norfolk, Va. There’s an episode where he returns home, shot on location in Virginia. Blew my mind to see how much my city has changed in the last 30 years…

  6. Joe Anderson

    Hey Gary, can you give us a layout of the sets inside the old Five-O stage used for Magnum. Like describing what you saw as you go into the stage’s large roll-up door in the front. I would love it! Was in Honolulu last month and the lame-o State film schmucks wouldn’t allow me an industry-courtesy visit for ten flipping minutes. Grrrr.

  7. Gary Baum

    That brings back many great memories. I was a camera assistant on the show the last season 1987-88. I think I may have made up that slate! It says Denco on the bottom, because it was owned by my friend and first assistant Denny Hall, who is no longer with us. RIP Denny. The last picture has DP John Flinn III on top of the ladder lining up a shot

  8. Edward Seifert

    The question now is… When will Tom Selleck make an appearance on Hawaii 5-0 in either a crossover role as police commissioner or as a former P.I.? Larry Minetti has already made several appearances. Is Roger Moseley available to fly a 5-0 chopper?

  9. James Stanley Barr

    Not only was there a Rockford Files crossover planned (scrapped due to a dispute between James Garner and Universal over royalty payments for Rockford), there was reportedly a Quantum Leap crossover planned that would have had Sam Beckett leap into Magnum. Nobody knows why it never happened.

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