Is Peter Lenkov the right TV producer to reboot “Magnum, P.I.,” poised as the next filmed-in-Hawaii series?
It’s clear that CBS, home of the original Jack Lord “Hawaii Five-0” and the original “Magnum,” welcomes a next-generation update of the Tom Selleck hit that aired from 1980 to ’88.
The indicators:
>> “Five-0,” filming an eighth season, appears to be heading for the sunset. Star Alex O’Loughlin has hinted for some time now that he wants out. Playing Steve McGarrett has been physically exhausting, and the departure of actors Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly) and Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua) over issues of salary parity with their white co-stars may have impacted the fan base. Simply put, without O’Loughlin, there would be no “Five-0,” even with respectable ratings so far this year.
>> If “Five-0” vanishes, there would be a vacancy on CBS’ Friday night agenda. The show is sandwiched between another Lenkov-produced reboot, “MacGyver,” and Selleck’s “Blue Bloods.” The network doubtlessly would secure its Friday block with a “Magnum” revival.
Surely, the state would welcome another tenant for the Hawaii Film Studio, and “Magnum” would continue to provide jobs and boost the economy. The Hawaii Film Office reports that a 22-episode season of “Five-0” generates about $60 million annually in economic activity and provides 400 jobs. “Magnum”-inspired visitor traffic likely would be another benefit.
But there are concerns. Will “Magnum” merely be an extension of “Five-0,” with vistas of paradise amid a wave of crime? Any procedural should have scripts that intrigue and entertain; “Magnum” should not simply provide postcard-pretty Hawaiian landscapes but reflect the culture and the pulse of the moment.
For the record, Lenkov is partnering with Eric Guggenheim, a “Five-0” writer and producer, in scripting the new “Magnum,” which will feature Magnum’s daughter as the chief sleuth. “The Blacklist” producers John Davis and John Fox also are aboard as executive producers, which should give the revisit substance and creds.
Casting matters. Lenkov would do it right by tapping one or two locals in the principal cast, avoiding a mistake he made with “Five-0,” bypassing resident actors with talent from afar. Hire and develop local stars; the commitment will help build popularity and ratings.
Lenkov is a prolific showrunner, but “Five-0” frequently offers bloated storylines with marginal familial characters and occasional absurd plots. “MacGyver,” similarly, has lacked the intrigue and novelty of the original ABC series that ran from 1985 to ’92 and starred Richard Dean Anderson.
And a “must” for the reboot: Selleck — with mustache, aloha shirt and Ferrari — should definitely make a cameo appearance in the pilot episode to cap a perfect launch. …
Talk about people
Folks wondered about the whereabouts of Steve Min after a mention here that his ex-colleagues from George Street (Gail Mack and Gordon Kim) were issuing a new CD. Min now is part of a trio, BC Band, with Charlie Saromines and Jim Weander, that has been a regular from 3 to 5 p.m. the last Sunday of each month at Maile’s Thai Bistro in Hawaii Kai, and also from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Roy’s Hawaii Kai. Min’s Kalani High classmate, Robert Shinoda (Nueva Vida), often sits in. …
Piano man
Jim Brickman, the prolific romantic of the keyboard, heads to Hawaii early next year with a three-island tour. His “Pure Piano: The Greatest Hits” show is set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and 20 at the Hawaii Theatre (tickets: $35-$65). The Big Island show is at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea (tickets: $25-$68). On Maui, the performance is at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (tickets: $35-$55).
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
