Magnum Article

[Lt. Cook]

I keep seeing references to an article called 'Reflections on Magnum P.I.' Anybody know where it can be found, and if it's worth reading?

[SelleckLover]

This is what I got when I Googled Reflections on Magnum PI:

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htm ... gnumpi.htm


Scroll down and look under the heading Further Reading

[ConchRepublican]

Here's an excerpt from a thesis I found online which references "Reflections . . ."

http://people.wcsu.edu/mccarneyh/acad/Randi.html

Similarly, also in 1985, Christopher Anderson explored the appeal
of Magnum, P.I. An obvious fan of the series, Anderson proceeds to
explain what it is that makes this private eye series so much stronger than
any other in the history of television through comparative and contextual
analysis. Anderson states that "commercial television depends on placing
its texts within familiar contexts . . . Many people who reject the possibility
that Magnum, P.I. is a great work immediately assume that it is simply
another 'beefcake' show like those that premiered in the early 1980's to
showcase attractive male heroes" (1985, p. 114). Anderson suggests that
Magnum, P.I. is, in fact, similar to those shows but with a difference. He
goes on to submit that part of the difference is that the main character does
not have the answer to every problem. He does not always have a weapon
hidden on him. He cannot fight his way out of any battle. He is often
beaten up, dragged down, abused, and left for dead. "He (Magnum) is
often confused and vulnerable" (1985, p. 117). The show has appeal in the
fact that Magnum is not super-natural. He makes mistakes and often suffers
for them. His system of values makes him easily identifiable and human
(1985, p. 117-122).

[rubber chicken]

Very interesting, how could one go about getting their hands on this paper? Through a university?

I also found it mentioned here, as part of a University of Minnesota course.

[MPS]

If you want to get a copy of an old academic paper, the best way may be to contact the author. In this case, Christopher Anderson. He would be pleased that anyone had found a reference to it, and, I'm sure, would be willing to give you the name of the journal in which the article was originally published. He may even have old reprints in his office to send out. Otherwise, old copies of journals can be purchased from the organiztion that published them. This looks as if it was part of a doctoral thesis, which was incorporated into a book, as a single chapter. If that's the case, old copies of the text might be found using Alibris, the book search. On the other hand, if only the Magnum article is desired, the university at which he was granted his Ph.D, should have a copy of the thesis in the library, both in digital and hard copy format. Sorry to be so long winded here.

Have just been informed by my "children" that it is now a dissertation and not a thesis. My age is showing.

[VM02]

I have a photocopy of this article which I got from Television: The Critical View. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976, 4th Edition, 1987.

In college a communications prof referred me to it, but it took me a while to track it down. I found it in the library at grad school.

the article spends considerable time on the episode, "Dream a little Dream"

[Sparkle & Fizz]

To add to MPS's informative post--most college and university libraries will email you an electronic copy of a thesis or dissertation if the format permits.

[golfmobile]

VMO2,

If you have an actual hard copy, do you have anyway to scan it to pdf and send it to James so that he could post it here on the site, the way he has posted the un-produced scripts? If not, if you could simply make another photocopy of it, I would be happy to pay postage to mail it to me, and I could scan it to pdf and get it to James. Let me know if you would like my help on anything like this.

I'm sure a lot of us here would like to read it.

golf

[IKnowWhatYoureThinking]

I'd love a chance to read it as well. I have searched several places and have yet to come up with a copy.

[VM02]

I can probably do that.

James - whats the best way to get this to you?

[J.J. Walters]

VM02,

Email would be fine (jjwalters@magnum-mania.com). Thank you so much for sharing this article!

[IKnowWhatYoureThinking]

Thanks VMO2! I know a bunch of us really want to read this article.

[MPS]

Thanks again, VMO2! It would be great to be able to read the article.

[VM02]

Its my pleasure. I emailed it to James this morning.

[ConchRepublican]

Thanks VM02!