Why Tom Selleck Refuses to Refer to His Iconic Series as ‘Magnum P.I.’

As Tom Selleck prepares for the conclusion of “Blue Bloods” in 2024, he’s reflecting on his earlier role in another beloved series. Before Jay Hernandez took over the role of Thomas Magnum, Selleck famously portrayed the private investigator in the ’80s, complete with his iconic mustache. Despite the enduring popularity of “Magnum P.I.”—both the original series and the reboot—Selleck has expressed a strong aversion to the show’s title, vowing never to use it in full. The original “Magnum P.I.” aired for eight seasons (162 episodes) from 1980 to 1988. In a recent interview with Esquire, Selleck reminisced about landing the role but admitted his dislike for the show’s name, revealing that he prefers to shorten it whenever he mentions it.