“Interesting Magnum, P.I. Tidbits from Tom Selleck’s Memoir — Including His Thoughts on the Show’s Title”

Tom Selleck has a unique perspective on the original “Magnum, P.I.” series, and his memoir, You Never Know, sheds light on many interesting facets of the show and his experiences. Released just after the 36th anniversary of the show’s finale, the book dives into various aspects of his career, including the making of the “Magnum” pilot and the behind-the-scenes drama involving the iconic role of Indiana Jones.

In his memoir, Selleck explains why he refers to the show simply as “Magnum” rather than its full title. He recounts how the pilot script, originally written by Glen Larson, was not his favorite. Thankfully, Donald P. Bellisario—who later created hits like Quantum Leap and NCIS—reworked the script into a two-hour movie pilot that Selleck praises as the best he had ever seen.

A notable anecdote from the pilot involves Selleck’s height. Standing at 6-foot-4, he found that his head touched the roof of the Ferrari his character was supposed to “borrow” from Robin Masters. To resolve this, they wrote a scene where Magnum pulls over to remove the car’s top.

Selleck’s journey to becoming Magnum was complicated by his potential casting in Raiders of the Lost Ark. At the time, there was hope that he could juggle both roles, but CBS executives were concerned about his commitment to the network’s high-profile pilot. Ironically, due to the 1980 Screen Actors Guild strike, the production of Magnum, P.I. Season 1 was delayed, and Selleck could have potentially managed both roles.

The show’s title also caused some frustration for Selleck. Originally named “Harry Magnum,” the title was changed due to concerns over possible legal issues with Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry character. Selleck was not fond of the new title, “Magnum, P.I.,” partly because “P.I.” was seen as a derogatory abbreviation for “Philippine Islander.”

Selleck’s memoir is filled with additional anecdotes, such as his refusal to go undercover as a gigolo in an early episode, his re-choreographing of a fight scene with Ted Danson, and the time he brought production to a halt to ensure Bellisario would stay with the show rather than leaving for Airwolf. The book also touches on how The Cosby Show impacted Magnum’s ratings and Frank Sinatra’s interest in guest-starring, which Selleck humorously had to initiate himself.

Overall, You Never Know is a captivating read for fans of the original series, offering a rich and personal look behind the scenes of one of television’s most beloved shows.