Remember tuning into Magnum, P.I. each week during the 1980s? It looks like the show is back!
Many Baby Boomers will remember watching Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum each week on the hit show. Whether you were captivated by his impressive moustache or wild antics, it’s fair to say Magnum, P.I. was one of the world’s favourite shows. The show originally ran for eight successful seasons, with 162 episodes airing during the initial run. Of course, repeats have been a staple across various television networks for years.
Set in Hawaii, it was up to P.I and his trusted sidekick Higgins to save the day. It looks like the younger generation will get the chance to experience what so many people loved about the show in the first place.
American network CBS has ordered a reboot of the classic series. While not many details have been released yet, the actor set to replace Selleck in the title role will be announced. As reported by USA Today, Jay Hernandez will take over the role, although it’s not yet known if Selleck will be involved in the reboot.
At present, Selleck appears in Blue Bloods as Frank Reagan, but with that show expected the wrap this year, fans are already questioning if this means he will return to Magnum, P.I. somehow.
In the original series, P.I was a Vietnam War veteran, although the new character will reportedly be returning home from Afghanistan.
According to USA Today, P.I will be “a decorated ex-Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator.”
Other stars expected to appear in the reboot include Perdita Weeks, Zachary Knighton, Stephen Hill.
Hours after news broke, Hernandez tweeted a picture of himself driving a car very similar to the red Ferrari Selleck drove around in when he was on the show.
https://twitter.com/jay_hernandez/status/995051226055168000
Fans have already taken to social media, unsure how to feel about the news of the reboot.
One person wrote: “If Tom Selleck and his moustache aren’t in the #MagnumPI reboot, I’m not watching”.
If Tom Selleck and his mustache aren't in the #MagnumPI reboot, I'm not watching. pic.twitter.com/JY5XjIDcOx
— Jennifer (@Paper_Heart_Jen) May 11, 2018
Sorry, Tom Selleck is #MagnumPI. Some things are too iconic to remake. Make another Hawaii based pi show. Name it something else. Magnum and Higgins…nope, there can be only one.
— Julie (@foreverinshadow) May 11, 2018
Another said: “Sorry, Tom Selleck is #MagnumPI. Some things are too iconic to remake. Make another Hawaii based pi show. Name it something else. Magnum and Higgins…nope, there can be only one”.
A third message added: “I love the original show. Why can’t they leave the original shows alone? I guess there aren’t new ideas out there”.
It isn’t the first time Hollywood has tried to find success by rebooting classic favourites. Both Dynasty and Dallas were rebooted, while a revamped Charlie’s Angels a few years ago failed to win over audiences. A number of ‘80s and ‘90s classics including Full House, Will and Grace and Roseanne have proven to be hits, with networks ordering numerous seasons of the revamped shows.
Time will tell if the new Magnum, P.I. will follow suit.
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