The Pop Ninja Blog: '80s TV Remakes part one

Hiya Ninjas!
I'm bringing back the Pop Ninja blog! The first few weeks, I want to talk about a few current TV shows that are remakes of classic '80s shows... shows that will take you back to those glory days that we at Pop Ninja just can't seem to get enough of.

'80s TV Remakes: part one

Magnum P.I.

This remake of the 1980-1988 classic series is in its 5th season and airs on NBC. The remake originally aired on CBS, but was cancelled after season 4 and NBC picked it up and kept it going. 

The new series stars Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, the role which was originally played by Tom Selleck. The big changes for this role are that the originally white character is now Hispanic, he doesn't sport the trademark moustache that the character was known for, and they have updated the story a bit. In this update, they made the new character a former Navy Seal who served in the Gulf War, instead of a Navy Intelligence officer who served in Vietnam.

All differences aside, Jay Hernandez is wonderful as the new Thomas Magnum. He's funny, charming, and a great actor. 

Tom Selleck              Jay Hernandez

The series has kept a lot of the same charm as the original series. It has the same theme music, the same red Ferrari, Magnum still wears the trademark Hawaiian shirts, sometimes has on the Detroit Tigers ball cap, and he's still a private investigator in Hawaii. Hernandez narrates the story like Selleck used to do. There's also the return of classic characters Higgins, T.C. & Rick. Oh, and don't forget the lads... the two Dobermans that always have it out for Magnum and make his life hell at Robin's Nest.

T.C. still owns "Island Hopper Tours" and flies around in the same helicopter. Rick still works at a bar and can still track down any information on anybody. Magnum still calls in tons of favors from them both and has a pretty hefty bar tab at Rick's club.

Perdita Weeks

John Hillerman

One major change to the new series is the choice to do a gender swap on the character of Higgins. The original actor was John Hillerman, who's character was a former British military officer who had the job of running the estate and grounds of Robin's Nest, a mansion in Hawaii owned by famous author & Philanthropist Robin Masters. The new character of  Higgins is played by actress Perdita Weeks and her version of the character is that she was an ex MI6 British secret agent, now running the estate. 

She does an excellent job and the new dynamic totally works for the new version of the show. Now there's sexual tension and flirtation between the characters of Magnum and Higgins and also the fact that she is an ex British spy brings in some dynamic new storylines for some of the episodes.

Current Magnum P.I. cast

'80s Magnum P.I. cast

The producers and minds behind this new show have definitely captured the spirit of the original series. It greatly resembles the Magnum P.I. that lots of us grew up watching in the '80s. 

A big salute to NBC for resurrecting the show last year after CBS gave it the boot in season 4. I hope it gets a few more seasons.

You can catch it Sunday nights at 9pm ET or the next day on NBC's steaming service. Take a look at it and let us know what you think. We welcome your comments.

Alright, Ninjas.... that's it for this week. If you already watch the new Magnum P.I. or if you get a chance to catch an episode, leave us a message and let us know what you think about it. 

I'll catch you next week. Make sure to listen to our podcast and visit our website and FB/Twitter pages regularly. Tell your friends about us too.

- Patrick Shawn Bennett