Fans of the original Magnum, P.I. have noted the current reboot lacks a key component: Tom Selleck’s epic mustache. NBC’s current re-imagining shares a lot of DNA with the iconic 80s show that inspired it. From the idyllic Hawaii setting to Magnum’s cherry red Ferrari, the parallels are abundant. Even the characters share the same names.

The new series still has T.C. and Rick, and of course, Thomas Magnum. However, there is one notable absence in Magnum’s character: his signature mustache, which was synonymous with the original portrayal by Tom Selleck. In this rendition, the clean-shaven Jay Hernandez has chosen not to replicate that iconic look.

“No one is going to replace Tom Selleck“, Hernandez told TV Guide in 2018. “You can’t do that. You gotta sorta reinvent it.” Hernandez and company managed to do just that, with the reboot lasting five seasons.

The Sly Tom Selleck Stash Reference in a Recent ‘Magnum, P.I.’ Episode

As the series nears its conclusion, the showrunners are ensuring that this final season will be one of the most unforgettable. As always, the romances are sizzling and the mysteries are captivating. And every now and then, there’s a nod to the original beloved Magnum, P.I. that fills fans with nostalgic delight. The season five episode “Run with the Devil” contains a subtle yet delightful reference to none other than Selleck’s iconic mustache.

In the episode, Rick (played by Zachary Knighton) was excited about the Marine Corp. Ball. He wanted his Marine buddy, T.C. (played by Stephen Hill), to attend after a recent breakup. Since Magnum’s crew rarely unwinds, T.C. eventually agrees to join.

As the ball kicked off, the guests strutted in their fanciest threads. T.C. and Rick, in particular, rocked an air of dapper charm, flaunting their perfectly groomed mustaches. “Look at us, mustache twins!” Rick quips. “Now all we got to do is get Magnum to grow one.”

However, T.C. is skeptical as to whether this new Magnum could sport a stash. “You think he could pull it off?” T.C. wonders aloud. As though winking to fans of the classic Tom Selleck series, the pair respond together, “Naaah!” before bursting into guffaws.

However, it’s unlikely Tom Selleck is tuning into the show. He’s been busy starring in Blue Bloods and penning his new memoir. The Three Men and a Baby star will release his memoir, You Never Know, in May of 2024.