One Thing About Making Television Tom Selleck Was ‘Well Aware Of’ That Served Him Well On Magnum P.I. And Blue Bloods (And That James Garner Taught Him)

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The dinner scenes in Blue Bloods‘ family gatherings had several hidden aspects, such as the use of fake silverware. However, what might not be surprising is that family values were highly emphasized on the CBS series before it was canceled in 2024. This detail about the show surfaced when Selleck wrote a book chronicling significant moments in his career. Interestingly, playing the lead character wasn’t something Selleck took casually. In fact, he learned the importance of leading by example from some wise words shared by James Garner, who passed away in 2014 many years before that.

In his memoir titled “You Never Know“, Selleck shares detailed accounts of his journey in Hollywood, much of which is connected to his stints on hit shows such as “Magnum” and “Blue Bloods“. The seasoned actor recounted that it was following his casting in the role of “Magnum“, a title he prefers not to append with “P.I.“, that he grasped one of Hollywood’s most profound lessons regarding family. He penned:

Jack Lord expressed that I could foster a sense of camaraderie among the crew, a sentiment reinforced by my friend and guide, James Garner. They each communicated this in their unique ways, but it served as a reminder of my role as the leader to facilitate such unity. There wasn’t a formal school for this, but Jim Garner was my tutor. I also recalled numerous instances on set where I tread carefully and often thought, ‘If I ever have my own show, things will be different.’

For quite some time during “Magnum P.I.,” Selleck shared that he approached his role with great dedication. When the series concluded in 1988, it was partly Selleck’s decision since ratings remained strong at the time. However, they celebrated with a joyful goodbye gathering, which included a sunset sail on a catamaran, a fireworks display, and unique t-shirts designed for the cast and their families.

The situation concluded positively, and when the actor received another significant television opportunity many years later, he recalled the lessons from Garner. Speaking about CBS’s “Blue Bloods,” he acknowledged that those experiences were instrumental to his success in the show.

On Blue Bloods, we’ve evolved from portraying a family to truly becoming one. We’re not merely actors playing family roles, but individuals who have formed genuine bonds and grown into a real family. Over time, we’ve been given the chance to acknowledge and cherish this connection.

As the book was penned down, the series “Blue Bloods” hadn’t been taken off air yet. Interestingly, though, Kirk Selleck mentioned that maintaining the iconic family dinner scenes was something he had actively advocated for during the pre-production phase.

Additionally, he often spoke about the show’s widespread popularity, which he would echo again when Selleck was fighting to keep the Reagan family series running. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful, but there are discussions underway for a potential spinoff of Blue Bloods. If Tom Selleck has his way, this new installment may also revolve around family themes.

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2025-01-19 16:37