Intriguing Insights from Tom Selleck’s Memoir About Magnum, P.I. — Including His Take on the Show’s Title!

Fascinating Insights from Tom Selleck’s Memoir on Magnum, P.I.

Tom Selleck has a unique way of referring to the beloved series Magnum, P.I.—he often just calls it “Magnum,” and it’s not merely for convenience.

In his recently released memoir, You Never Know, Selleck shares stories from his career, including his experiences shooting the Magnum pilot, the difficult decision when he was offered the role of Indiana Jones, and the series’ eight-season journey. This 352-page book is a must-read for fans of the original CBS series, which aired its finale 36 years ago.

While I’ve only skimmed the first half, the second half offers a breezy narrative filled with candid anecdotes that pull you right in. Though the full series isn’t streaming for free anywhere, you can purchase it on platforms like Amazon.

The original pilot was written by Glen Larson, whom Selleck wasn’t particularly fond of. Fortunately, Donald P. Bellisario, the future creator of Quantum Leap and NCIS, stepped in to write a two-hour movie pilot that Selleck describes as “the best script that had ever crossed my path.”

An interesting tidbit from the pilot shoot: since Selleck is 6’4″, his head hit the roof of the Ferrari he borrowed from Robin Masters. They cleverly wrote in a scene where Magnum pulls over to take the top off before driving.

Selleck’s journey with the role wasn’t without challenges. He faced a tough decision when he was asked to audition for Raiders of the Lost Ark while waiting to hear if CBS would pick up Magnum. Despite the potential for both projects, CBS was concerned about Selleck possibly leaving the series, leading to the film role being sidelined. Ironically, production delays due to a Screen Actors Guild strike meant he could have done both—Raiders was even filming in Hawaii during the wait.

Selleck also chose Magnum’s iconic Detroit Tigers cap and embraced the character’s floral shirts, symbolizing Thomas’s new chapter in life. However, he wasn’t a fan of the title change when it aired on CBS. Originally named Harry Magnum, there were concerns about similarities to Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry, leading to the title change. Selleck found the new title to be “a sh–ty title,” partly because he knew “P.I.” was a less-than-flattering abbreviation for Philippine Islander.

The memoir is rich with anecdotes, detailing his refusal to go undercover as a gigolo in an early episode, a fight scene he re-choreographed with Ted Danson, and how Carol Burnett guest-starred soon after he invited her to the Emmys. He even recounts how production was briefly halted so he could convince Bellisario not to abandon the show for Airwolf, the impact of The Cosby Show on Magnum’s ratings, and Frank Sinatra’s eagerness to guest star—on the condition that Selleck personally invite him.

Overall, You Never Know offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Magnum, P.I. and the journey of its charismatic star.