‘Magnum P.I.’ Is Returning to TV Without Tom Selleck’s Mustache

“Magnum P.I.” is returning to the small screen — but Tom Selleck and his famous mustache are nowhere to be found.

The new “P.I.” is yet another reboot of a popular television series from the CBS network, which seems to be cashing in left and right on remakes of television shows with recognizable names. The network also airs “Hawaii Five-O,” “MacGyver,” and “S.W.A.T.” It even has a reboot of “Murphy Brown” hitting television screens in the fall.

The new “P.I.” features young actor Jay Hernandez in the Selleck role. He plays a more modern version of Thomas Magnum, a private investigator who solves crimes in Hawaii.

CBS recently released a first-look trailer for the reboot — and it certainly appears different from what fans of the original enjoyed.

Sure, we see the Hawaii locale and the slick cars; we even hear the original theme music at one point. But the spark of the original seems missing. Maybe it’s just that this is a recycled idea and it can carry over only so much of the original’s charisma.

Check out the trailer below:

Selleck himself has mentioned before that he was apprehensive about a remake or reboot of the beloved “Magnum,” a show that ran for 158 episodes, from 1980 to 1988. Selleck himself stars on a CBS drama now (“Blue Bloods“) — and it would be interesting to hear his thoughts on this slick remake of the program that made him a star.

Related: Five Facts You Likely Never Knew About ‘Magnum P.I.’

More importantly, it will be interesting to see how fans respond to this “Magnum” makeover. Other reboots like “Hawaii Five-O” have found success, but a brand name can never guarantee success. Just look at recent attempts by CBS to turn movies like “Rush Hour” and “Training Day” into successful programs — neither lasted more than a season.

So is this a simple cash grab by CBS? Should the network be pushing for more original material instead of doing constant reboots?

The mustache is definitely missed.

One thing’s for sure — the mustache is missed. The mustache is definitely missed.

PopZette editor Zachary Leeman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter. 

(photo credit, homepage and article images: CBS)