Tom Selleck Paid ‘Magnum P.I.’ Crew $1,000 Bonuses Out of His Salary After the Network Refused Because ‘It Would Set a Dangerous Precedent’: ‘That Pissed Me Off’
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director Tom Selleck writes in his new memoir “You Never Know” (via Business Insider) that he personally gave the crew of “Magnum P.I.” bonuses for $1,000 when the studio refused to during contract negotiations for the CBS series’ eighth and final season.
Selleck headlined “Magnum P.I.” in the title role for 162 episodes between 1980 and 1988, becoming one of the decade’s most iconic television stars.
The actor admits in his memoir that he debated whether or not to continue the show for an eighth run because “I didn’t want anyone to think that last season was just a ploy to get more money.” During contract negotiations, Selleck writes that he asked the studio to give the crew $1,000 bonuses as long as “Magnum P.I.” Season 8 came in under budget and on time.
According to Selleck, the studio “responded that they could not under any circumstances talk about crew bonuses, that it would set a dangerous precedent.” “They always invoked precedent when you had an original thought beyond their contractual boilerplate,” Selleck adds. “Honestly, that pissed me off.” Selleck decided to take matters into his own hands and found a loophole to get his crew the bonuses they deserved by ensuring the studio gave him a “substantial” personal bonus for the final season.
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