Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I. mistake picture

Did You See the Sun Rise? - S3-E1

Revealing mistake: Going through the database with Lieutenant Maggie Poole, Magnum spots finally Ivan's picture. This involuntary puts a rather hilarious twist to one of the most famous and dramatic endings of a TV episode, since that picture from the military intelligence database is exactly from the 'future', aka the ending of the episode; Ivan is wearing the same black suit and tie (pretty weird already with the setting) that he will wear in the ending, and is even in front of the same tree leaf by leaf. (01:13:30 - 01:34:20)

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Other mistake: The culprit does not have wounds on their hands, but whoever tampered with the box left blood inside it. If the blood is irrelevant to the case and could have been left by Higgins, then it's unclear why it has an effect on the culprit and make them admit their guilt.

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: When the contestants are announced (in a thick French accent), it is said that Higgins fences from the right position. Rick later states, accusing Higgins, that "A lot of people heard Higgins ask for the right side." When the odious rival shows up, he says "You asked for the left position?" to which Higgins nods. (00:11:50 - 00:13:00)

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Other mistake: At the beginning of the episode Magnum has some banter with Higgins, but also needs his help with a tie knot he's clueless about, to the point that he can't even pronounce its name and calls it "double Winslow", with Higgins promptly correcting him. And he's completely useless at doing it. However, in the previous season's episode "The Last Page", Magnum was helping Rick with his tie and giving him expert and sensible advice about it and explicitly referencing the Windsor knot, in fact discussing the merits of the half Windsor.

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: Magnum visits Assistant District Attorney Carol Baldwin who is having her lunch break outside. She has a paper towel around the yogurt container she's eating from, but when the camera is to her left the napkin reaches the rim of the container, whenever the camera is to her right it's an inch lower. (00:21:45)

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: Higgins is dressing up for the foil duel. He puts his right glove on when Velma apologizes, and when he replies that she has nothing to apologize for...he's putting the glove on again. (00:12:25)

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: Before the fencing match, Higgins' old belle Velma Troubshaw approaches him and they chat. During this chat the people behind Higgins are different from shot to shot, matching only the views from the same angle. (00:12:20)

Sammo

Foiled Again - S3-E7

Continuity mistake: Higgins is staring at the window after his dream. Magnum calls for him and casually walks into the study. Something changed in this second part of the scene; the black cap that will be a conversation point later is now placed across the lid and main case of the foil. In the opening view, it was entirely on the lid and wasn't on the frame. (00:03:05)

Sammo

Flashback - S3-E6

Revealing mistake: In present day, Magnum is flying with TC to the old house. Selleck and Roger Mosley are talking inside the vehicle about being there before, and TC's shirt is dark red. However in the wide shot of the landing, whoever is piloting the chopper is wearing a yellow shirt. (00:43:40)

Sammo

Flashback - S3-E6

Continuity mistake: At the end of the episode, Rick's towel is draped over his neck in a different way before and after the cut to Thomas with the line "Don't start with that dreaming stuff." (00:46:50)

Sammo

Flashback - S3-E6

Factual error: Magnum is checking out newspapers from year 1936...but they are copies of The Hawaii Herald, and that is impossible, since it started publications (with that name) only in 1942 as an Americanised version of the original Hawaii Hochi. (00:39:55)

Sammo

Black on White - S3-E5

Continuity mistake: At the end of the episode, Thomas is sitting by Higgins that is playing Pac Man. TC arrives and Magnum stands up. There are two towels on the wall, and they are one on top of the other not overlapping by about 3 inches. By the time TC is in the water with Magnum, they are stacked perfectly. (00:46:30)

Sammo

Black on White - S3-E5

Continuity mistake: Rick gets KTFO by the mace being thrown at him. He collapses unconscious on the carpet that makes a noticeable hump, and his arm is past the pillar. Magnum comes to his rescue, and Rick is still out but the carpet straightened itself and Rick's arm is by his body. (00:32:30)

Sammo

Black on White - S3-E5

Audio problem: Higgins watches Magnum spit what he chewed on and gives him a "Magnum..." full of contempt. Magnum responds ever cheerful "Sorry, want a bite?" but the audio of the sentence is much lower than in the rest of the scene. (00:13:10)

Sammo

Of Sound Mind - S3-E12

Higgins: How fiendishly deceptive of you, Magnum. I could have sworn I was hearing the emasculation of a large rodent. To my great surprise, I see the sounds are emanating from what I thought was a harmless musical instrument.
Magnum: Cute Higgins, real cute.
Higgins: Why Magnum? Why do this terrible thing?
Magnum: Higgins, I'll have you know I used to be very good. I was the second best sax player in my High School band!
Higgins: Well, how many sax players were there?!
Magnum: ...Anyway. I just saw this in a pawn shop window and thought I'd like to try and get my chops back.
Higgins: May I suggest that your "chops" are irretrievable.
Magnum: Higgins, did you come here just to abuse me!?
(00:05:25)

Sammo

More quotes from Magnum, P.I.

A.A.P.I. - S7-E5

Trivia: At the awards ceremony, three men seated at a table together resemble three detectives from 1970s TV shows. Detective Mike Stone (played by Karl Malden) from ABC's Streets of San Francisco; Detective Frank Columbo (played by Peter Falk) from NBC's Columbo; and Detective Theo Kojak (played by Telly Savalas) from CBS's Kojak. (00:07:20)

Super Grover

More trivia for Magnum, P.I.

Join the mailing list

Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.