http://archives.starbulletin.com/96/04/ ... tory1.html
I'm assuming nothing came of it. Anyone know anything?Selleck wants to
produce TV series in isles
He and the co-executive producer
of 'Magnum' are in the city to check things out
By Tim Ryan
Star-Bulletin
"Magnum, P.I." star Tom Selleck and that show's co-executive producer, Charles Floyd Johnson, are homesick for the islands and hope to get a new Hawaii-based series back on the air as early as the fall season.
Selleck and Johnson have been in Honolulu this week investigating the feasibility of producing an hourlong television series and seeking financial concessions. The series, which most likely would air on the USA cable network, would not star Selleck, who would instead co-produce the show with his close friend, Johnson.
"Hawaii was very good to Tom Selleck and 'Magnum' and 'Hawaii Five-0'," Johnson said yesterday. "There isn't a better place I've worked on location for weather, people, and the aloha spirit."
Selleck and Johnson met yesterday with Gov. Ben Cayetano, then union officials, and toured the new sound stage at the Hawaii Film Studio at Diamond Head.
Johnson said Cayetano "had been very friendly toward the 'Magnum, P.I.' production vxxx and we told him how much we wanted to come home again and that to do this, we may need his help. He said he was very willing to cooperate in helping get a permanent television series back in Honolulu."
Johnson emphasized that the development of the show - the working title is "Almost Paradise" - remains "very preliminary."
Selleck and Johnson were here to determine how much cooperation they could expect from the state, hotels and airlines, and the Teamsters, IATSE and the Screen Actors Guild.
"We wanted to talk to everyone and explain our situation; that we may not have the money we had before. And if that's the case, can we make this work together and how," Johnson said.
Johnson said filming a show in Hawaii can't be done for less than $1 million an episode and "unless the studio steps up to the plate with the needed budget we can't do it."
Yesterday's meetings with local union officials left Johnson with the "definite feeling" that concessions will be considered.
The pilot program involves a New Jersey state police officer in his late 20s or early 30s who doesn't enjoy his job anymore. He makes extra money as a bounty hunter and is good at it. He gets a call from a Honolulu police detective who says his father, whom he has not seen in 15 years, has died. He reluctantly travels to Honolulu for the funeral then learns he has inherited an old downtown hotel along with serious tax and mortgage debts. The only way he can make any money in a sale is if he pays those debts.
He becomes involved with the hotel and its workers in trying to find ways to pay off the debt.
He does some bounty hunting but there isn't enough work in Hawaii.
He learns about a think tank that does clandestine business for people all over the world and he becomes involved in that.
He's able to earn enough money to pay some of the debts and stall foreclosure.
But will he stay in Honolulu or return to the mainland? Stay tuned.
The series
"Magnum, P.I." star Tom Selleck and co-executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson are investigating basing a new TV series in the islands.
Title: "Almost Paradise"
Network: USA
Cost: At least $1 million per episode
Status: "Very preliminary"
