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How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

#1
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1/3/07 at 2:45pm
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For those who own "Magnum, p.i." on DVD, are the episodes as they original aired? No music substitution in these DVD releases (I know that Season 6 is coming and that they have two more seasons to release before they're done)? The end credit Universal logo hasn't been updated? I don't know if these are DVD-18s, but any problems I should know about with these? I would research this more on my own, but at the moment I don't have the time and wanted to get everyone's opinions on these sets.

I noticed yesterday that Sleuth was airing Part 1 of the pilot episode of "Magnum" (I haven't seen this series in awhile) and it has held up very well. I'm looking into the possibility of getting this series on DVD, but I wanted to check that Universal hasn't screwed this series up on DVD. The first four seasons of "Monk" and the first seasons of both "Quantum Leap" and "Northern Exposure" are the DVDs I own from Universal (so far),

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

www.myspace.com/macphoen

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#2
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1/3/07 at 7:41pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Universal has offered nothing in the way of Magnum-specific extras (except the Simon & Simon episode on the first set), but the show has been handled well technically. The only iffy thing they do on a few episodes is slightly re-edit them so that you can't tell where the commercial breaks were. Seasons 1-5 have had no music substitutions, but the series never started using commercial music extensively until season seven, when the whole tone of the show changed (this is when Selleck began Executive Producing).

-Lyle J.P.
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#3
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1/4/07 at 5:46am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I agree with Lyle. Basically the episodes are uncut, look and sound pretty good but don't have any extras. The acting is top notch, and the stories haven't become dated, even though everything obviously is in the 80s.

I'm hoping Universal will have a few extras with Season 8, which was only 13 episodes. It should not cost too much just to have a few interviews with the four principals and maybe have them do a commentary on two episodes.

TV DVDs wanted: TJ Hooker (seasons 3-5), The Fall Guy (Seasons 2-5), Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Father Dowling Mysteries, Queen of Swords, Smurfs, and Charlemagne (1994 TV miniseries)

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#4
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1/4/07 at 5:49am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I only have season 1 so far but I agree the show is still great. I did have to exchange it though as 1 disc was the typical dvd-18 freeze :angry: Hopefully with seasons 2-4 I won't have that problem when I get around to getting them.
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#5
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1/4/07 at 6:26am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Have to agree with the lack of extras issue for this and other older TV shows from Universal. It ticks me off that Universal can't seem to provide half-decent extras when lesser shows from other companies get everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. Universal could take a few pointers from Anchor Bay which has given shows such as Highlander, Hercules and Xena excellent extras - commentaries (audio & video), deleted scenes, interviews, documentaries and extended cuts of certain episodes. Magnum certainly deserves this kind of attention as well as other shows in it's catalogue.

I don't consider a bonus episode from the following season to be an extra since we're gonna purchase it in the next set that comes along.

At least Universal doesn't use double-sided discs anymore, that's about as good as it gets from them.
Recently watched- BSG: Season 4.0[BD], Starship Troopers 3: Marauder[BD], The Happening[BD], Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (IMAX)[BD], An American Werewolf In London[BD]

Currently watching- Heroes: Season 1[BD], Michael Palin: Pole To Pole, Battlestar Galactica[BD], Magnum P.I.: Season 7
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#6
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1/4/07 at 9:16am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Highlander, Hercules and Xena are all genre shows. It's comparing apples to oranges to suggest that just because they get lots of extras that a non-genre show should.

Now mind you I'm not a fan of having no extras, and I'm annoyed that we get next to nothing on the Law & Order sets but I'm not about to suggest that just because say Battlestar Galactica gets a lot of extras... they should as well. Scifi and Fantasy are a different ballgame.
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#7
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1/4/07 at 11:00am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Extras or No Extras the Magnum sets have been great, the episodes are all i really need anyway. I find that i watch extra's once tops and never look at them again. I would rather have shows released then it take longer to get something released with extras.

I have S6 pre-ordered and i can't wait to complete my Magnum Collection with S7 & S8 hopefully by years end!!
the DVD Collection
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#8
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1/4/07 at 7:35pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Katherine_K
Highlander, Hercules and Xena are all genre shows. It's comparing apples to oranges to suggest that just because they get lots of extras that a non-genre show should.

True....but this non-genre show happens to have a strong following. It deserves at least a decent collection of interviews with the cast and perhaps even a commentary or two. They aren't getting any younger....I believe I read that John Hillerman just turned 74 not too long ago.

I really hope that Universal at least puts something on Magnum's final season, it would be a real treat to see.
Recently watched- BSG: Season 4.0[BD], Starship Troopers 3: Marauder[BD], The Happening[BD], Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (IMAX)[BD], An American Werewolf In London[BD]

Currently watching- Heroes: Season 1[BD], Michael Palin: Pole To Pole, Battlestar Galactica[BD], Magnum P.I.: Season 7
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#9
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1/6/07 at 8:32am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Does anyone think Universal will be able (or willing) to keep the music in the final two seasons of "Magnum"? I might wait to see how they handle those two seasons, but I'd hate to start buying it now, only to have them replace music in the seventh and eighth season. I like the later seasons of "Magnum, p.i." the best from what I remember. I also think they should really consider adding bonus material for the final, 13-episode season. Which season was the "Magnum"/"Murder, She Wrote" crossover? If they haven't already, have they included the "Murder, She Wrote" episode as a bonus?

Disney/Buena Vista/Miramax: Please put Beautiful Girls on Blu-ray with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer in 1080p, and an anamorphic re-release with bonus features and the original theatrical trailer day-and-date on DVD. Thanks!

www.myspace.com/macphoen

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#10
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1/6/07 at 10:32am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisCook
Which season was the "Magnum"/"Murder, She Wrote" crossover? If they haven't already, have they included the "Murder, She Wrote" episode as a bonus?
This was in season 7, and so far hasn't been included on any of the previous Magnum sets. It's been included on the corresponding "Murder She Wrote" set, though. (Unfortunately, they included the wrong version of the Magnum episode, i.e. not the open ended version).
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#11
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1/7/07 at 9:00pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

The sets are great... if you are a fan pick them up. Music replacement (if it's an issue) for the last 2 seasons shouldn't deter you from picking up the first 6. Universal did the right thing for Miami Vice and cleared the music rights so I assume they'll do it right for Magnum as this show was as big as MV.

Also, I seem to recall Angela Lansbury being on an earlier season of Magnum too, or am I just confusing it from watching a rerun on TBS?
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#12
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1/8/07 at 7:04am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Jessica Fletcher was not in the first 5 seasons at all. She was only in one episode (Novel Connection) in season 7. I verified this at tv.com.

Chris, I'd buy the first 6 seasons anyway, as they didn't have music replacement, even if you don't buy seasons with replacement. The show has held up very well over the years.

TV DVDs wanted: TJ Hooker (seasons 3-5), The Fall Guy (Seasons 2-5), Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Father Dowling Mysteries, Queen of Swords, Smurfs, and Charlemagne (1994 TV miniseries)

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#13
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1/8/07 at 4:57pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Ok thanks, I must be confusing it with a syndicated episode then, I sometimes watch those and the DVDs as well so everythings out of order for me, lol.
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#14
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1/17/07 at 8:06pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

It's worth noting that the both versions of the Simon & Simon crossover episode have been included for viewers. The First Season DVD release includes both sides of the crossover as a bonus feature. (So you get the Magnum episode ending with a cliffhanger, and the Simon & Simon episode to finish the story.) The Third Season DVD release includes the syndicated version of the crossover episode, in which the story is wrapped up within the Magnum episode. I would hope that they would do the same for the Murder She Wrote crossover, but you never know.
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#15
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1/17/07 at 9:07pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

At some point during the series, the production, like everyone else did around that time, stopped editing and mastering on film in favor of videotape. (Still acquiring on film, of course). I don't remember what season that was--have they reached that point yet on the DVDs? The image quality is going to go down a notch at that point and I'm curious how much of a noticeable drop it is.

-Jay

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#16
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1/17/07 at 11:23pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I remember this being the case with a number of shows around 1987-88, or in the case of Magnum, the final season.
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#17
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1/18/07 at 4:32am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Not to forget, Selleck guest starred as Magnum in an episode (pilot?) of "The Fall Guy" (1981), would be nice to see that show on DVD soon.
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#18
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1/18/07 at 9:50am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I think Universal treated us quite well with foregoing the double sided discs, also crossovers. The Theme was different in a few sets but thats all. I didn't care much for it after season 2.
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#19
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1/19/07 at 4:51pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I asked about the video vs cutting on film in another thread, and someone posted that Magnum was cut on film all the way to the end, hopefully that is true.
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#20
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1/20/07 at 7:34am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

One item I have noticed about Magnum on DVD are the "day for night" scenes. I still have my off-air versions of most shows and noticed they "brightened up " these scenes to the point where it looks like daytime. Most notable is the beginning of the J. Digger Doyle episode from the first season. I have noticed a re-structure of the credits in places as well.
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#21
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1/20/07 at 9:54am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I've been very pleased with my Magnum PI sets so far --- with the exception of the seasons that were placed on DVD-18s. (Like one of the earlier posters, I had one disc that froze up during an episode.) Now that Universal has stopped using DVD-18's I have no complaints regarding the Magnum sets -- except that I wish they would re-release the first four seasons on DVD-9s!

Joseph
---------------

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#22
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1/20/07 at 11:28pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Heenan
I asked about the video vs cutting on film in another thread, and someone posted that Magnum was cut on film all the way to the end, hopefully that is true.

Hmm, well I remember at some point noticing the episode title and other first act credits were done on video instead of as opticals, so if that's the case then they still did the final finishing work on video.

-Jay

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#23
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1/21/07 at 11:30am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

the cruddy video titles are just on episodes cut for syndication (like 2hr. episodes cut into 2 parts)
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#24
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1/21/07 at 9:13pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

I noticed these during the original network run. They weren't cruddy; they used the same fonts and everything, they were just CGed.

Owel, we'll know soon enough.

-Jay

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#25
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2/27/07 at 12:55pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Anyone get Magnum PI season 6 yet? I won't be able to get it until the weekend.

My main hopes are no cut episodes and no music replacement (although I don't think music became a major component until season 7). Also, hopefully they included a coupon for season 7, which could indicate when season 7 is due out.

Thanks

JeffO

TV DVDs wanted: TJ Hooker (seasons 3-5), The Fall Guy (Seasons 2-5), Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Father Dowling Mysteries, Queen of Swords, Smurfs, and Charlemagne (1994 TV miniseries)

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#26
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2/27/07 at 6:05pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Picked up S6 today and yes, there is a coupon for season 7 for $3.00 off with an expiration date of 1/1/08. Given the season 6 coupon in the last set has a 6/30/07 expiration date (4 months after the season's release), we can presume that Season 7 will be released around the end of August or beginning of September this year.
I actually thought they might put it out on May 15th with Rockford Files Season 4 but so far no announcement.
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#27
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2/28/07 at 5:29am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

That'll give me some time to get caught up (just ordered season 3)
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#28
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2/28/07 at 5:43am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Thanks Jeff*H, that is great news. Perhaps there is even a slight chance for season 8 at Christmas.

TV DVDs wanted: TJ Hooker (seasons 3-5), The Fall Guy (Seasons 2-5), Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Father Dowling Mysteries, Queen of Swords, Smurfs, and Charlemagne (1994 TV miniseries)

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#29
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3/1/07 at 7:55pm
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff*H
Picked up S6 today and yes, there is a coupon for season 7 for $3.00 off with an expiration date of 1/1/08. Given the season 6 coupon in the last set has a 6/30/07 expiration date (4 months after the season's release), we can presume that Season 7 will be released around the end of August or beginning of September this year.
I actually thought they might put it out on May 15th with Rockford Files Season 4 but so far no announcement.

Awesome!
I'd love to finish this series up within a years time.
Now if we could only get them to continue the Simon & Simon releases!!

Dan T.

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#30
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3/2/07 at 8:25am
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Re: How has Universal treated Magnum, p.i.?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan*T
Awesome!
I'd love to finish this series up within a years time.
Now if we could only get them to continue the Simon & Simon releases!!


AGREED!!
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