# The new Magnum P.I. show thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 25, 2018, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872 "2018-09-25T06:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/1 "2018-09-25T06:02:54Z")
I’m probably one of the biggest _Magnum, P.I._ fans in the world. I even have the theme song as the ring tone on my cell phone. And I was soooo looking forward to the reboot. Well, I watched it tonight. Man, I LOVED it! I DVRed it tonight, and watched it twice. But, knowing the Straight Dope for lo these many decades, I’m guessing that I’m alone in approving of the reboot, and that the rest of you hated it. Please tell me I’m wrong! Things I liked: 1. The theme song - they kept it. Shortened, but still there. 2. Rick and TC - still there, much the same, but tweaked and updated in a refreshing way. 3. Higgins - still there. A chick now, but hey, I can roll with the changes. She kicks ass. 4. Robin’s Nest, the Ferrari, the guest house, all still there. 5. Cross overs with 5-0 - I’m pretty sure the coroner he visited is the same one from the \*Hawaii 5-0 \*show. That’s cool. 6. The LADS!! 7. The Cross of Lorraine ring - still there. 8. Detroit Tigers hat - still there. 9. The voice over, and “I know what you’re thinking…” - still there. 10. And probably Number One - the major theme of \*Magnum, P.I. \*was always _friendship_. And that seems to be a major theme of the reboot as well. I am so happy about that. Also - I’m please to see that they tweaked the title. The original series was called _Magnum, P.I._ The new series is called \*Magnum P.I. \*(no comma). This is nice, because it allows my DVR to keep the new and old versions stored in separate folders. Things I didn’t like: 1. The theme song was too short. That’s all I can complain about. Okay, what do the rest of youse guys think? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/2 "2018-09-25T12:46:44Z")
We tuned in for just a few minutes to see the lads, because we have Dobes also. They were beautiful killing machines. 😃 There was something said as voiceover right near the beginning of the show that struck a somewhat “boys will be boys” note I didn’t care for, but I can’t even remember it now. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/3 "2018-09-25T14:29:34Z")
Maybe it will be better after the pilot - but this one seemed to be trying to outstupid macgiver - and won in the first few minutes. (yeah, I realize that was the scene from a book and not what ‘really’ happened - but sheesh). ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/4 "2018-09-25T14:45:14Z")
The new guy is no Tom Selleck. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/5 "2018-09-25T14:50:24Z")
Didn’t watch it. Never going to watch it. But I’ll read y’alls comments. You can tell me if they eventually have a crossover scene with H50 where Mags and McG sit down for a beer together and trade SuperSeal [del]lies[/del] stories. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/6 "2018-09-25T14:57:01Z")
Does Higgins still tell long-winded war stories? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/7 "2018-09-25T15:00:09Z")
Does he have a Tiger’s hat? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/8 "2018-09-25T15:05:13Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Didn’t watch it. Never going to watch it. > > But I’ll read y’alls comments. Me, too. And it has nothing to do with sullying the original–it looks awful all on its own (like the new Mcguyver and the new Lethal Weapon.) ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/9 "2018-09-25T15:16:57Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Me, too. And it has nothing to do with sullying the original–it looks awful all on its own (like the new Mcguyver and the new Lethal Weapon.) Lethal Weapon is the exception to the rule - its turned out to be pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/10 "2018-09-25T16:08:40Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Does Higgins still tell long-winded war stories? This seems the part that wouldn’t work. JQ Higgins was _everywhere_\*, WWII, Israel, Africa, Ireland, MI-6. He was like the British Empire personified. What can the new one have done during the last 20 years that could be comparable? What would she have to tell stories about? (that is, that she _could_ talk about, and not be classified?) \*Assuming the original JQH wasn’t lying. I don’t believe that, but it seems that’s what Bellisario was going for in the last season. I should start a different thread about that very question. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/11 "2018-09-25T16:14:05Z")
Are they going to show Robin Masters in this one, or be coy like the original series? They’re not going to go for the “Higgins is really Robin Masters” thing again, are they? ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/12 "2018-09-25T17:03:19Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Are they going to show Robin Masters in this one, or be coy like the original series? > > They’re not going to go for the “Higgins is really Robin Masters” thing again, are they? Magnum knows Robbin Masters personally since the latter was a journalist embedded with his unit. Higgins being Masters wouldn’t fly. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/13 "2018-09-25T17:04:53Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Lethal Weapon is the exception to the rule - its turned out to be pretty good. I think this one is pretty tiresome while the new Macgyver is good stupid fun. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/14 "2018-09-25T17:12:56Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > 1. Cross overs with 5-0 - I’m pretty sure the coroner he visited is the same one from the \*Hawaii 5-0 \*show. That’s cool. You’re correct: the character is Dr. Noelani Cunha, played by Kimee Balmilero. I didn’t watch the episode, but the ads and teasers were very reminiscent of the new “5-0.” ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/15 "2018-09-25T17:21:57Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Magnum knows Robbin Masters personally since the latter was a journalist embedded with his unit. Higgins being Masters wouldn’t fly. Good. Because that got tiresome in the original. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/16 "2018-09-25T17:47:18Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > But, knowing the Straight Dope for lo these many decades, I’m guessing that I’m alone in approving of the reboot, and that the rest of you hated it. Please tell me I’m wrong! I liked the preview. The pilot is sitting on the DVR for now. > [@simster](#): > > Maybe it will be better after the pilot - but this one seemed to be trying to outstupid macgiver - and won in the first few minutes. The director of the pilot also directed some of the _Fast & Furious_ movies. ---
**Author:** ![Temporary\_Name](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Temporary\_Name](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Temporary_Name)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/17 "2018-09-25T18:05:54Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I’m probably one of the biggest _Magnum, P.I._ fans in the world. I even have the theme song as the ring tone on my cell phone. And I was soooo looking forward to the reboot. Well, I watched it tonight. Man, I LOVED it! > > -snip- > > Okay, what do the rest of youse guys think? I was one of those who didn’t believe it could live up to its own hype let alone the original series. Watched it last night and was won over by the sheer exuberance of the reboot. I am a fan of the new show without letting it diminish my fondness for the original. (I had to get past the driving stunts to appreciate the reboot but they made more sense in the episode than they did in the trailer – “well that didn’t work”). Having had a recent opportunity to watch the pilot episode from the original show, I have to say that the reboot exceeds the original but that makes sense since the reboot has seven seasons of refinement to draw upon the original pilot did not. I am very optimistic for the future of this show. On another topic, could Tom Selleck make a cameo or periodic guest appearances without ruining the whole thing? What if he turns up as Ice pick? What if early next season he appears as Robin Masters, would that be too Meta? Would Tom Selleck as Robin Masters be ideal . . . or disastrous? There is a theory that having two Magnums on screen at the same time would cause a tear in the space/time continuum and end all life as we know it. ---
**Author:** ![split\_p\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19b73/32.png) [@split\_p\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/split_p_j)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/18 "2018-09-25T18:26:12Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I’m probably one of the biggest _Magnum, P.I._ fans in the world. I even have the theme song as the ring tone on my cell phone. And I was soooo looking forward to the reboot. Well, I watched it tonight. Man, I LOVED it! I DVRed it tonight, and watched it twice. > > But, knowing the Straight Dope for lo these many decades, I’m guessing that I’m alone in approving of the reboot, and that the rest of you hated it. Please tell me I’m wrong! > > Things I liked: > > 1. The theme song - they kept it. Shortened, but still there. > 2. Rick and TC - still there, much the same, but tweaked and updated in a refreshing way. > 3. Higgins - still there. A chick now, but hey, I can roll with the changes. She kicks ass. > 4. Robin’s Nest, the Ferrari, the guest house, all still there. > 5. Cross overs with 5-0 - I’m pretty sure the coroner he visited is the same one from the \*Hawaii 5-0 \*show. That’s cool. > 6. The LADS!! > 7. The Cross of Lorraine ring - still there. > 8. Detroit Tigers hat - still there. > 9. The voice over, and “I know what you’re thinking…” - still there. > 10. And probably Number One - the major theme of \*Magnum, P.I. \*was always _friendship_. And that seems to be a major theme of the reboot as well. I am so happy about that. > > Also - I’m please to see that they tweaked the title. The original series was called _Magnum, P.I._ The new series is called \*Magnum P.I. \*(no comma). This is nice, because it allows my DVR to keep the new and old versions stored in separate folders. > > Things I didn’t like: > > 1. The theme song was too short. That’s all I can complain about. > > Okay, what do the rest of youse guys think? I think I may give it a try after reading your thoughts on the show. They seem to agree with a review I read. That review kind of knocked what he thought was the core audience, gen Xer’s like me, calling us “oldies”. He went on to say that CBS programing in general is aimed to an older demographic. His main point was that it was good, but not great so younger people won’t go out of their way to watch as it airs. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/19 "2018-09-25T19:15:39Z")
> [@Temporary\_Name](#): > > On another topic, could Tom Selleck make a cameo or periodic guest appearances without ruining the whole thing? What if he turns up as Ice pick? What if early next season he appears as Robin Masters, would that be too Meta? Would Tom Selleck as Robin Masters be ideal . . . or disastrous? There is a theory that having two Magnums on screen at the same time would cause a tear in the space/time continuum and end all life as we know it. Have Selleck show up as a retired Lance White. Shouldn’t be much of a problem as Universal has a hand in [both](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rockford_Files) shows. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872/20 "2018-09-25T23:02:21Z")
Original Viewer They got about 90 percent right, but I don’t like the new Magnum. The supporting cast check off all the right boxes for me, even Higgy, but the new Magnum looks like he was typecast for a newer generation of viewers. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-magnum-p-i-show-thread/821872.md?page=2)