113: "The Chinese Typewriter"

113: "The Chinese Typewriter"

From Magnum, podcast - revisiting "Magnum P.I." by Jason Snell, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr

December 19, 2025 · 1h 17m · Episode 113

About this episode

The hosts discuss the failed 1979 pilot 'The Chinese Typewriter' and its various shortcomings and unique aspects.

The Magnum, podcast holiday special is here! We watched the failed 1979 pilot for Boston and Kilbride, “The Chinese Typewriter,” starring Tom Selleck (as Tom Boston) and James Whitmore Jr. (as Jimmy Kilbride). The dubbing! The fake signs! The weird casting! The original Al’s Automotive and Muffler King Tigers! We break down everything that makes this pilot a fitting failure, though with some admiration about how it does a lot with almost zero budget. Also: you, the listeners, introduce many segments. See you next year!...

People in this episode

Hosts: Jason Snell, Philip Michaels, David J. Loehr

Topics covered

  • failed pilot
  • 1979 television
  • Magnum P.I.
  • holiday special
  • film reviews
  • casting analysis

Keywords

  • Magnum P.I.
  • The Chinese Typewriter
  • Tom Selleck
  • James Whitmore Jr.
  • failed pilot
  • holiday special
  • film analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Al’s Automotive and Muffler King

Books & works: The Chinese Typewriter

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