Magnum P.I.

[WallStreet]

Magnum P.I. was one of the great TV shows. Along with Odd Couple and The Simpsons it is one of the few shows that has never "jumped the shark".

 

[Myriads]

Nah once they got into the flashbacks to Nam every second episode or so and 'is that his wife or not' plotlines and such it had jumped. But it lasted longer then most without jumping.

That gueststar episode with Sinatra was an ouchy also.

Myriads

 

[TicklingDuo]

True, it did jump. But Tom was so cute with that dumb grin of his. I often wondered how it would be to have him looking at someone like that as a tickler. LOL

Ann

 

[CitY of MicA]

nice call WallStreet

I really liked that show, too. The characters were very good, and I liked the chemistry amongst the cast and subtle humor (often not found on TV). There's scarcely a show out there that didn't run into trouble sooner or later. I rather thought that while Seinfeld's last season had its weak shows, it had some good ones, too. I think he called it quits at the right time.

 

[Haltickling]

My favorite character there was Higgins. All cliché British, and boring everybody with his endless stories... 😀

 

[Longbaugh]

Yes Magnum P.I. was one of the better shows to come out of the eighties. In fact it's one of the few shows from that decade I can watch in re-runs and enjoy.

 

[WallStreet]

"Oh my God Magnum!"

Haltickling-- Higgins was definitely a classic tv character. "It reminds me of the time when I was back in North Africa in 1949...". Another funny Higgins Factor were his long lost brothers, all played by John Hillerman. The drunken Irish priest was hilarious.
Lonbaugh-- I watch Magnum on A&E Network every day. As you said, they never get old.
Myriads-- It was actually "Is it his daughter or not" not "wife". The reason that this story line got so much airtime was because in the second to last season they actually KILL Magnum. That was supposed to be the end of the series. But the TV network was flooded with complaint mail that they killed Magnum ("Oh my God") so they had to bring Magnum back, and they also had to explain why he was back. The "daughter" angle was part of this explanation.
As far as Sinatra goes, Magnum P.I. was his favorite show, and he requested to appear on an episode. Would YOU have the balls to say "no" to Ol' Blue Eyes? Special guests usually do constitute jumping the shark, but we're talking about the chairman of the board.
If you go to www.jumptheshark.com you'll see that there are those who agree with Myr and the Duo that Magnum jumped, but that there were NOT enough votes to say that it officially jumped. Only a handful of shows are in this "Never Jumped" category.

 

[red indian]

One question. One fact.

Q. What does jumping the shark mean?

Fact. Only Americans would find "Higgins" to be a convincing impression of an Englishman.

 

[WallStreet]

Red Indian-- The term "jumping the shark" goes back to a reference about the classic American TV show "Happy Days". The show was very successful, but perhaps was getting to the point of being on the air too long, and the show's producers were struggling for script plots. They eventually had an episode where The Fonz and Cunningham are in California, and the Fonz makes a bet with someone that he'll put on waterskis and jump over a caged shark. The website www.jumptheshark.com is based on shows that either overstayed their welcome, or changed their storylines too drastically. Other things that constitute a show jumping the shark are deaths of main characters, weddings on the show, births on the show, and anything that changes the original premise of the show. I believe the web site includes British shows. You should check it out.
As far as only Americans finding Higgins to be a convincing Englishman, Haltickling is actually from Germany. But in truth, the actor who played Higgins is actually from Texas.

 

[red indian]

Thanks for that Wall.

So know i know what "jumping the shark" means I can confirm there are plenty of Brit contenders!

I know where old Halty boy hails from by the way, it says so next to his name but whats your excuse!!!


Well knock me over with a feather!!! so the guy who plays Higgins is......gasp.....not English!!!! well who would have guessed it!!!

 

[Haltickling]

Red, old pirate!

'Old Halty boy' is amused indeed, old chum. 😀

 

[JoBelle]

Magnum?
The private detective show, right?
All Hawaiian shirts and such? LOL
That's all I can remember about it. It never really tickled my fancy, but then again, I'm not much for television.
Jo

 

[P.H. Tickler]

MAGNUM!

Great show! Although Tom Selleck was good in that, my favorite character will always be his little red Ferrari 328, a vehicle I longed for without exception, well OK, one exception... Don Johnson's immaculate pearl white Ferrari Tetarossa on Miami Vice.