Could Magnum P.I. Return Sooner Than 2024? It’s Possible — Here’s How
It’s not easy being a Magnum P.I. fan — even after the CBS castoff got saved and renewed for Season 5 on NBC.
For one, fans of the island drama saw NBC slot Season 5 for Sundays at 9/8c, where it led out of all manner of reruns — meaning, no strong lead-in. Viewership in turn fell 30% from its CBS swan song (which of course aired on Fridays). And now, with the release of NBC’s new fall schedule, it looks like the back half of that season might not see the light of day until midseason, meaning early 2024.
Unless….
While NBC’s newly released schedule has been positioned as relatively “strike-proof,” if the Writers Guild’s work stoppage lasts beyond a couple of months, shows that have already filmed episodes, like Magnum, might be called off the bench sooner than planned.
“We feel very good about where we are with our fall schedule relative to what could happen if there’s a prolonged strike,” Jeff Bader, President of Entertainment Program Planning Strategy for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, told TVLine. “Night Court, Extended Family, Quantum Leap, Found, Irrational… those are all scripted shows that will all be on in the fall.”
But if the WGA strike runs long — keeping the likes of, say, Law & Order: SVU and the #OneChicago trifecta from resuming production in time to make fall premieres — “We could pull in La Brea, Magnum P.I., Transplant…,” Bader suggested, “and we have our unscripted [programs that don’t use writers]. So, we feel like we’re in good shape.”
Want scoop on Magnum P.I., or for any other show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line.
As much as I would love to only have to wait until Fall 2023 for new episodes of Magnum PI, I am more concerned about the impending announcement about a Season 6 renewal. To not renew it prior to the airing of the 2nd half of Season 5 seems very illogical to me. The show could definitely benefit from lack of new scripted tv due to the strike, and it would be a shame to cancel the show and they the cast go only to have ratings grow during the S5B airing. So let’s hope the execs at NBC see how loyal a fan base they have , and what a special show Magnum PI is, and announce a S6 next month ahead of the S5B airing. Viewers like to invest in shows they know they will be able to enjoy for years to come.
I think if NBC doesn’t renew it for a sixth season, the MPI fandom might march on NBC Headquarters with pitchforks & torches. LOL!
We’ll ride at dawn ;)
With Magnum they could also do what ABC did during another writers strike a few decades ago when they repurposed scripts from the classic Mission: Impossible series and created a new series. No reason they couldn’t dig old Magnum scripts out and refilm them.
Magnum already has many episodes filmed, scripts isn’t an issue as with L&Os and #OneChicago.
You really couldn’t use only scripts anyway because this time Higgins is a woman. Plus you can’t change anything about the old scripts if i heard me of the shrinking writers say “ you cannot change one or even a comma. . I do know one they could do is the one where Magnum was stuck adrift in the ocean alone.
+25 TVLine Power User points (no cash value)
The rerun show was made under those rules, you can speed up slow down, or cut old scripts just can’t change them, I don’t know that Higgins is actually referred to as a guy in scripts he was played by a man so it was unnecessary unless magnium was talking to kc or tge other dude about Higgins, he normally just would gripe about Higgins, I think if needed could probably work
Not if most of their talk is about whether or not he and Higgins are getting it on or flirting like a couple of middle schoolers.
NBC doesn’t have much going on Fridays. Put Magnum back on Fridays and watch it get back viewership!
I am a bit confused. Will the writers strike effect a possible season six of Magnum PI? Or is it too soon to tell? 🤷♀️
It is too soon to tell on season 6. Originally some reports said NBC ordered two seasons, but it turns out NBC only ordered one season but with the plan to split it up. Even though NBC decided to split the season into two parts – in a way that spreads one season across two seasons – it filmed this past season with filming reportedly finishing in April. NBC has decided to hold it for midseason for now anyway, possibly because they want it back on Sundays after football. Now, the Dick Wolf shows – Chicago Fire, SVU, etc. – are mostly scheduled for fall (except Organized Crime being midseason), but a lengthy strike would impact them. If that happens, NBC may decide to put Magnum P.I. somewhere in fall, maybe Wed or Thurs nights. Because next season is season 5 continuation, if there is a season 6, then yes the writer’s strike would prevent scripts from being written on them right now but they don’t need to be written now since they have part 2 of five to air first. They probably don’t want to wait too long to decide because of things like sets, but since I don’t know all the details of that or contracts, it’s possible we wouldn’t know about a season 6 until next May around this time. Hopefully it’s sooner than that though.
I do think the original report of S5 and S6 from Deadline was correct at the time. But even though it was agreed to come back, negotiations and cost cutting would still be going on afterwards. Some cast even commented to some fans on IG at the time confirming the S5/S6 situation, so that obviously changed later on.
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I think from what I have understood of other shows, casts/maybe some crew get a percentage increase per season on the salary, so NBC probably wanted to avoid extra costs?
Nothing’s definite until this writer’s strike is resolved. I think as fans we’re just going to have to be patient.
I am a Magnum P.I fan. I have every season so far. The Sunday at 9pm is a terrible time slot to have. Wish the best for the future of Magnum
Love Magnum ! Renew for season 6 with a better night !!
How long does filming production take to start up usually? If no scripts etc written eg. L&O’s etc?
It’d take them at least a couple months as they’d have to get staffed back up and of course the scripts come first. Normally they’d be doing some prep now, fully back to it on the writing side in June/after Memorial Day, and filming starting in July ahead of the late Sept./early Oct. premieres. There are exceptions – NBC kept going on Quantum Leap & Night Court some prior to the shut down, and Organized Crime is searching for a new showrunner that could delay things, as example. And some shows like Tracker and The Irrational have been developed and shot off-cycle. And of course it varies much more for cable and streaming. But essentially for about every week of a strike, we can expect a week’s delay to the fall premieres…. I’m not sure if that delay starts now or once we get into June, but definitely by June. If things are only delayed a couple weeks, it will probably be filled by specials and encores. But also keep in mind that SAG-AFTRA and DGA have their own contracts up June 30th.
I think this is right, the Fall shows I used to watch had a basic schedule of:- end May/start June – writers back working, mid June – crew/pre-production back in work and filming commences around mid July. The previous writers strike on average are 3-5 months long, so maybe the writers may go back sometime in August, if things were resolved and then filming maybe in September/October. The “Covid” Fall schedule is looking like what will happen and with reality shows plugging any gaps. Not sure what the likelihood of SAG / DGA going on strike though is!
How long is the cast (and crew) on contract? If the strike goes on for while, would NBC want to resign a possible expensive cast? Sadly, the show isn’t the breakout CBS had. I wonder how it is doing on Peacock?
As far as NBC’s other dramas go, this isn’t their most expensive, by any means. It’s only in its fifth season, & it films in Hawaii where tax incentives make filming much more cost effective. It’s also not a brand new drama they’re trying to launch. It faced tough competition in its new network & time slot, but held steady in viewership & the demo. It has a VERY strong online presence too, which works in its favor. I’m choosing to remain positive about a renewal😊
Peter Lenkov suggested on Twitter that cast options would need to be picked up/a renewal decision made in a month or so.
Love how you tend not to push the buttons on giving incorrect info but make a your comments as factual as possible. Keep us the followers informed. We are fans, many die hard fans and I hope an agreement will be reached soon. How about some info on them. As this strike is devastating for networks but a man gotta eat. Flipside the lost may become more that either side can weather. I’ve seen this happen. Hoping for their miracle.
Has Transplant been picked up then?
Yes NBC picked up seasons 3 and 4 of Transplant!!
Tvline confirmed it!!
Massive TVLine news story: https://tvline.com/2023/05/12/transplant-renewed-nbc-season-3-and-4/
I check daily and somehow missed this. Thanks!
The last thing I want is for the strike to go on so long that it impacts the fall TV season. That said, if it were to happen, then I can’t help but feel that placing Magnum PI on Monday nights at 10 could yield some positive results for both the network and the series. Following The Voice which is likely to start in the fall no matter what, could give Magnum a real shot in the arm. Then maybe place Transplant on Tuesday nights at 10 following either another episode of The Voice or some gameshow or reality filler.
Put Magnum back on Friday nights. Sunday in the fall revolves around football so you never know when the show will actually air. Hopefully NBC will remember there are people outside the 18 to 49 demographic who watch and would like their votes counted!
I thought that it was great that Magnum was picked up by NBC. Then NBC decides to “dump” Magnum on Sunday nights following Dateline. No great lead in for Magnum. I have watched Magnum since episode 1 and I am hoping for a 6th season. If NBC moves Magnum to a better time slot I am sure the ratings will pick up. I have been watching reruns shown on my CBS station early Sunday & Monday mornings. The episodes still hold up. There are a lot of life left in the show if only NBC would smarten up
Now this is longshot needs approval but is realistic Hawaii five o season ,11 part ,1 jjan 2024then magnum pi season 5 part 2 march 2024 now it’s rebooting right
Looking forward to much more magnum pi on nbc.