Magnum, P.I. (TV Series) A.A.P.I. (1986) User Reviews

The Magnum PI All-Star game

[grantss · 8/10 · 29 July 2019]

Magnum is about to receive the award for Best PI in Hawaii when the keynote speaker, a famous police detective, is murdered. This reunites Magnum with many old faces.

The episode where the producers went "Hey, wouldn't be cool if we could get all the major sometime-characters / guest stars from the last few seasons together in one episode?" So we have Luther Gillis (Eugene Roche), Lt. Gordon "John Wayne" Katsumoto (Clyde Kusatu), Jean Claude Fornier (Paul Verdier) and Tracy Spencer (Annie Potts) all together. Throw in writer-producer Stephen J Cannell as the hotel detective and its like an All-Star game.

Not that this necessarily makes the episode better than most, it just makes it very familiar-face-filled. Ultimately it is pretty good, though largely formulaic. Plus, I always found Luther Gillis incredibly irritating, so that doesn't help. Gordon Katsumoto was always good for a laugh though.

Who is Sam Spade and is Magnum a relative

[pensman · 8/10 · 30 June 2012]

One of those fun episodes with some recurring characters. We begin with a black and white homage to those great mysteries featuring Sam Spade. Elisha Cook Jr. even does a turn as his character Wilmer Cook from The Maltese Falcon. The modern story begins with Magnum being awarded the local PI of the year award and being roasted/introduced by his nemeses Luther Gillis. As the presentation of the award by another recurring character, Jean Claude Founier, falls over dead: poisoned. Who killed Founier? Gillis is on the trail along with ex meter maid/fired detective Tracy Spenser and officer Lt. Gordon "John Wayne" Katsumoto. Will Magnum figure it out first and get his award. Maybe but will Stephen J Cannell guesting as a hotel detective be a help or hindrance or something more.

Guest starring Stephen J. Cannell

[safenoe · 8/10 · 1 February 2023]

It was a treat to see an early on-screen appearance of Stephen J. Cannell, who was an established and respected figure with his television series he created and achieved much success with (one of many was 21 Jump Street). Stephen J. Cannell plays the hotel security guard.

Here Magnum is supposed to receive an award but alas things get in the way in a gruesome way that brings in a whole cast of former guest characters.

Glenn Cannon appears as Dr. Ibold, Krash Kealoha plays the Security Guard, Joe Ashour plays the 'Kojak' Look-alike, and last but not least, Ray Ritzke plays the Det. Mike Stone Look-alike.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad Mad World

[toyotacarmechanic · 3/10 · 4 January 2024]

In this late season the writers must have been at the top of their game. The references to earlier movies roll faster than the scene changes.

The show jad a lot of pull and many famous actors (actresses) pop up. This affecting my concentration and breaking the flow. All despite missing James Garner (Rockford), who was suppose to be in this episode.

Annie Potts plays Tracey Spencer. Yes seriously. There are even background scenes that made me think of the movie. Stephen Cannell plays a hotel detective. That is like having the pope as a chauffeur!

So we arrive at the final scene disconnected from the previous one. How were they injured? But it seals the cake. Did they plot the episode, and then fill the in-between minutes? Did they write a great thriller and then find they were hamstrung by time and space (size).

So the final scene: everyone, except Thomas, is in hospital beds, sitting up. Thomas finally receives the award, (banana), and of course it is fumbled into the air and falls onto the ground. (Nurse opened door.) Mimicking the classic all-star romp.