MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO'S 12TH ANNUAL TELEVISION FESTIVAL IN LOS ANGELES, THE: MAGNUM, P.I. {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Museum of Television & Radio's 12th Annual Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Directors Guild Theatre Complex, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television, and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening honors "Magnum, P.I.," the long-running detective series about a former naval officer turned private investigator, noted for its humanity, depth of character, and sense of humor. Dr. Robert M. Batscha, president of the Museum, introduces the following members of the "Magnum" creative team: producer/writer Chris Abbott; co-executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson; writer/producer Reuben Leder; cast members John Hillerman and Tom Selleck; and creator/executive producer Donald P. Bellisario.
Bellisario introduces a 1983 episode of the series, entitled "Home from the Sea," which is then screened in its entirety. After the screening, the panelists are joined by cast member Roger E. Mosley, and discuss the following topics, among others: the difficulties of shooting "Home from the Sea," which is filmed primarily on the ocean; possibilities of a follow-up "Magnum" feature film; whether the "Jonathan Higgins" character played by Hillerman was really "Robin Masters," owner of the estate; CBS's efforts to eliminate the Vietnam elements of the series back in 1979 when production started, in an attempt to distance the network from the subject; the series as the first to portray Vietnam veterans in a positive light; controversy surrounding "Did You See the Sunrise?" an episode in which Magnum shoots his nemesis; the filming of the last episode of the series; Selleck's work as detective "Lance White," on "The Rockford Files"; enjoyable shows that actually sprang from efforts to trim the budget, including a black-and-white "Sam Spade" spoof episode; favorite episodes of the panelists; the elements of humanity, character and relationship development, and cumulative narrative that made the program unique; working with Frank Sinatra, who did a guest appearance in a 1987 episode entitled "Laura"; why the show was set in Hawaii; the loss of actor Jeff MacKay ("Mac Reynolds") to another series, and his subsequent return as a different character; Mosley's experience directing an episode; Selleck's first film and television roles; the series' take-off on "Raiders of the Lost Ark," a film in which Selleck was originally offered the lead; whether Selleck would do episodic television again; his current project, filming in Arizona; the musical contribution of Mike Post and the late Pete Carpenter; why the proposed "Magnum" episode of Bellisario's "Quantum Leap" never materialized; the collaborative writing process and why it was difficult for freelancers to write for the series; whether Mosley actually learned to fly a helicopter for his role; and the importance of the Higgins-Magnum relationship, which was contentious, but grounded in mutual affection.
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: March 17, 1995 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:52:18
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:39913
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert M. Batscha … Host, Moderator
- Abbott, Chris (See also: Abbott-Fish, Chris) … Panelist
- Donald P. Bellisario … Panelist
- John Hillerman … Panelist
- Charles Floyd Johnson … Panelist
- Reuben Leder … Panelist
- Roger E. Mosley … Panelist
- Tom Selleck … Panelist