40th Anniversary Watch Party

[Pahonu]

I just finished watching and this episode has so many things that I like that I’m always surprised that I don’t really like it that much. I love Noah Beery as Rocky in the Rockford Files, but he really has a small role here even though he’s the catalyst for the whole story. I think Red West was very good here as usual but seemed wasted as the episode progressed. I enjoyed the humor of the old lady getting to Magnum after she rear ends him. I also enjoy little details like Cindy drinking bourbon straight and playing craps, and Elissa Hoopai’s funny description of the pyramid scheme as a whole new economic system, plus a new energy source!?!?! Somehow though, the pieces don’t all come together as a whole. I’m not sure how else to describe it other than using a film review I once read that described the film as a delicious pudding that just didn’t set.

[T.Q.]

I just finished watching and this episode has so many things that I like that I’m always surprised that I don’t really like it that much. I love Noah Beery as Rocky in the Rockford Files, but he really has a small role here even though he’s the catalyst for the whole story. I think Red West was very good here as usual but seemed wasted as the episode progressed. I enjoyed the humor of the old lady getting to Magnum after she rear ends him. I also enjoy little details like Cindy drinking bourbon straight and playing craps, and Elissa Hoopai’s funny description of the pyramid scheme as a whole new economic system, plus a new energy source!?!?! Somehow though, the pieces don’t all come together as a whole. I’m not sure how else to describe it other than using a film review I once read that described the film as a delicious pudding that just didn’t set.

Good observations.

There used to be episodes I didn't like.

Then I appreciate them more and more with time.

Not necessarily for the episode as a whole but for the pockets of good moments and memorable scenes.

Side note: Interest seems to be waning. Should we continue?

[Pahonu]

I just finished watching and this episode has so many things that I like that I’m always surprised that I don’t really like it that much. I love Noah Beery as Rocky in the Rockford Files, but he really has a small role here even though he’s the catalyst for the whole story. I think Red West was very good here as usual but seemed wasted as the episode progressed. I enjoyed the humor of the old lady getting to Magnum after she rear ends him. I also enjoy little details like Cindy drinking bourbon straight and playing craps, and Elissa Hoopai’s funny description of the pyramid scheme as a whole new economic system, plus a new energy source!?!?! Somehow though, the pieces don’t all come together as a whole. I’m not sure how else to describe it other than using a film review I once read that described the film as a delicious pudding that just didn’t set.

Good observations.

There used to be episodes I didn't like.

Then I appreciate them more and more with time.

Not necessarily for the episode as a whole but for the pockets of good moments and memorable scenes.

Side note: Interest seems to be waning. Should we continue?

I’m up for it if you are. We’re close to the end of the season.

Sorry to hear about the RA in your back. I understand that there are quite a few anti inflammatory medications that work well, and some new treatments that target the specific inflammation sites rather than the whole immune system.

[T.Q.]

I’m up for it if you are. We’re close to the end of the season.

Sorry to hear about the RA in your back. I understand that there are quite a few anti inflammatory medications that work well, and some new treatments that target the specific inflammation sites rather than the whole immune system.

Thanks Pahonu.

Been on Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for a year and a half.

It's supposed to stall the progress but it's moving into my hands anyway so... rheumatologist time.

I hear the RA drugs currently in use are pretty nasty for side effects.

Currently, on a round of Prednisone but it's also not supposed to be a long term thing. Also nasty overall.

We'll see what he says.

I hate being on pharmaceuticals so I may need to drastically change my diet which will stink.

Some even suggest vegan. [insert puke emoji here]

[Pahonu]

I’m up for it if you are. We’re close to the end of the season.

Sorry to hear about the RA in your back. I understand that there are quite a few anti inflammatory medications that work well, and some new treatments that target the specific inflammation sites rather than the whole immune system.

Thanks Pahonu.

Been on Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) for a year and a half.

It's supposed to stall the progress but it's moving into my hands anyway so... rheumatologist time.

I hear the RA drugs currently in use are pretty nasty for side effects.

Currently, on a round of Prednisone but it's also not supposed to be a long term thing. Also nasty overall.

We'll see what he says.

I hate being on pharmaceuticals so I may need to drastically change my diet which will stink.

Some even suggest vegan. [insert puke emoji here]

An altered diet can help quite a bit I understand. A former colleague of mine had pretty bad RA in her hands and struggled with many of the medication’s side effects. As it progressed, her rheumatologist started her on a biologic. The real downside was the cost. We have very good health insurance as teachers and the cost out of pocket was still several hundred a month. She responded well though.

A friend of my wife takes Plaquenil for lupus. She was concerned about supplying earlier in the pandemic when it seemed like a potential treatment, but it ultimately wasn’t a problem for her.

[T.Q.]

March 19th, 1981

[CBS 9:00] Magnum, P.I. [Reg]: Adelaide
Season 1, episode 14

W: Robert Hamilton D: Lawrence Doheny
With Christine Belford (Adelaide Malone), Cameron Mitchell (Charles Cathcart), Don Lamond (William McDonald #1), Allan Kucin (William McDonald #2), Gray Gleason (Tony), Tremaine Tamayose (Ring Attendant), Deborah Takushi (Waitress).

A woman hires Magnum to protect 'Norman', but the case takes an unexpected turn when Magnum finds that her uncle is an old Vietnam comrade who is against him being hired, and that Norman is a prized racehorse.

[ZelenskyTheValiant (Ivan)]

"Adelaide" is the dog of the season! Err... or is it the horse of the season??

Maybe the other episode should have been called "The Ugliest Horse in Hawaii" since I like that episode more than this one. And this one then could have been the dog of the season!

[T.Q.]

"Adelaide" is the dog of the season! Err... or is it the horse of the season??

Maybe the other episode should have been called "The Ugliest Horse in Hawaii" since I like that episode more than this one. And this one then could have been the dog of the season!

It's a dog for sure.

With great bits and pieces as always.

Many episodes saved by and the boys.

[Styles Bitchley]

If this was the Pilot episode, none of us would have ever heard of Magnum PI. Worse than I remember. Utter dreck. A few notes I made while watching.

- is that Lady X from behind in the opening scene when he meets Adelaide? You don’t see her face but damn if she doesn’t look familiar! I actually think she returns again as a waitress in the KKC later when Magnum tries to recruit Rick and TC
- we get some interesting insights into Magnum’s resignation from the Navy and how he feels about it.
- think it’s the first time we see the Al’s Automotive hat
- the scene where the rustlers ru off with Adelaide on the horse is absurd
- the pacing of this episode, especially at the competition, is painfully slow.
- I love Higgins’ line about Magnum’s “overly aggressive moustache” it’s a classic that I sometimes pull into regular conversations.

[Pahonu]

Not a whole lot to like here. I like the beach volleyball scenes. Unfortunately, they’re pretty brief. I always wished they’d had an episode centered around it. They had tennis and surfing competition episodes... even chess! I used to play a little and my son still plays quite a bit, but I’ve never seen any beach courts like those, being completely enclosed. On the many beaches where I’ve seen courts, they’re just rows of nets in the sand. Long Beach has a couple of dozen in two locations. Even for professional events that’s the case. They just erect bleachers around a main court. I’m curious about those courts.

I always find it funny that TM doesn’t put down his beer when he’s showering after the match. He just puts his thumb over the top and uses one hand to clean up.

I do agree the pacing is very slow at the competition... and elsewhere.

[Styles Bitchley]

- is that Lady X from behind in the opening scene when he meets Adelaide? You don’t see her face but damn if she doesn’t look familiar! I actually think she returns again as a waitress in the KKC later when Magnum tries to recruit Rick and TC

Okay, here's my spotting. Admittedly, its not easy (and probably more than a bit creepy) to ID her from behind, but I think it's Lady X (Tina Machado). What do you think?





Here she is in Straight and Narrow for reference:

[Pahonu]

- is that Lady X from behind in the opening scene when he meets Adelaide? You don’t see her face but damn if she doesn’t look familiar! I actually think she returns again as a waitress in the KKC later when Magnum tries to recruit Rick and TC

Okay, here's my spotting. Admittedly, its not easy (and probably more than a bit creepy) to ID her from behind, but I think it's Lady X (Tina Machado). What do you think?





Here she is in Straight and Narrow for reference:

The hair and build certainly seem right.

[ConchRepublican]

- is that Lady X from behind in the opening scene when he meets Adelaide? You don’t see her face but damn if she doesn’t look familiar! I actually think she returns again as a waitress in the KKC later when Magnum tries to recruit Rick and TC

Okay, here's my spotting. Admittedly, its not easy (and probably more than a bit creepy) to ID her from behind, but I think it's Lady X (Tina Machado). What do you think?





Here she is in Straight and Narrow for reference:

Looks about right to me going by what else we have for reference!

My thought is they wouldn't keep calling in new extras, they'd use a select few on call ...

[Styles Bitchley]

Looks about right to me going by what else we have for reference!

My thought is they wouldn't keep calling in new extras, they'd use a select few on call ...

It's funny. If you start digging into it in this way, you start to see how they actually put the show together. I'm sure they just shoot the KKC scenes back to back and tell her "Okay, now you're a waitress. Go get changed and wait for us to call you!" I've also seen that where they shoot those close up shots of hands and feet and splice them into the scene - it's not even the main actors doing it. We saw it with "Seikogate" and in All Roads Lead to Floyd, when Magnum hits the brakes (the shoe on the pedal isn't even what Selleck is wearing in the scene). I guess it makes sense - the stars all head back to their dressing rooms and the rest of the crew continues shooting bits and pieces they'll need to splice it all together.

[Pahonu]

Looks about right to me going by what else we have for reference!

My thought is they wouldn't keep calling in new extras, they'd use a select few on call ...

It's funny. If you start digging into it in this way, you start to see how they actually put the show together. I'm sure they just shoot the KKC scenes back to back and tell her "Okay, now you're a waitress. Go get changed and wait for us to call you!" I've also seen that where they shoot those close up shots of hands and feet and splice them into the scene - it's not even the main actors doing it. We saw it with "Seikogate" and in All Roads Lead to Floyd, when Magnum hits the brakes (the shoe on the pedal isn't even what Selleck is wearing in the scene). I guess it makes sense - the stars all head back to their dressing rooms and the rest of the crew continues shooting bits and pieces they'll need to splice it all together.

That’s exactly how they film on location days, Styles. They have a specific amount from various pages of the script to complete at that location. About 5 pages a day is pretty typical, but it might be 3/8 from one page 1 2/8 from another, etc... These are not 8 hour days either.

The production farms out hiring extras, or “atmosphere”, to casting companies that specialize in it. They have a whole stable of just extras that they call on. Days with large numbers of extras are called “cattle calls” and that can reach into the hundreds in feature films.

We never had more than about 50-60 in my few years in television production. Those were long days. Typically a dozen or fewer was common, reused over and over in scene after scene. How do I remember the numbers? That’s one thing a lowly PA like myself was responsible for, keeping track of all the paperwork for the extras. The 2nd unit director often placed them in the scene and directed their actions. When there weren’t any extras to direct, the second unit would shoot fill in shots like you have described. They worked very quickly because they didn’t record sound.