Right my lovelies, after a season of watch parties, live Angela Lansbury workouts and competitions, back to the main programme!
When seeing the title of this episode, some folks might think of a magnum of champagne or, if you are in the UK, a decadent chocolate-covered Magnum ice cream.
But no, it’s THE Magnum. Magnum P.I. Yes! Tom Selleck!
In a glorious TV mash-up featuring two sleuths teaming up to solve a crime together.
This is part 2 of a crossover story with Magnum, P.I. You will find both instalments in the Murder, She Wrote Season 3 DVD boxset. The first part, entitled Novel Connection appears as a bonus episode, so why not have a double bill?
The on-screen chemistry between Tom Selleck and Angela Lansbury is fabulous. Not in any romantic way, they just seem to be having heaps of fun together in this fantastic Hawaiian romp. I’m slightly dismayed that J.B. doesn’t get into local couture by wearing a colourful barkcloth muumuu, but we can’t have everything!
(By the way, if anyone knows where I can get a Magnum She Wrote baseball cap, let me know!)
Naturally, Magnum’s sidekick, Jonathan Higgins, takes a fancy to our sleuth. I’ve put him on the Cabot Cove Matchmaking Society shortlist!
They share a love of gardening, and he makes a delightful gesture on Jessica’s first day at the Magnum household, “I’ve arranged a light lunch. Maine Lobster Salad in honor of your arrival.” It cracks me up that Higgins has created such a massive floral centrepiece to impress J.B.
that there is no room for Magnum at the table. He must sit at a table on his own, like a naughty kid.
I heartily recommend watching both episodes together as a double bill, maybe breaking for food in between. Tom’s mom said that she made this tuna melt for him “ever since he was a little boy.”
Even before he had a moustache!
Tom Selleck’s Crunchy Tuna Melt
2 x 6½-oz cans water-packed tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup finely chopped celery
¼ cup finely chopped green pepper
¼ cup finely chopped onion
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dash of black pepper
6 slices Roman Meal bread or other favorite bread, toasted
6 slices cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Combine the first seven ingredients. Then, using an ice cream scoop or a large spoon, mound the tuna mixture onto each toast slice. Top each with one slice of cheese. Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil/grill for 2 or 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
Serves 6
Our recent Murder, She Wrote watch party was loads of fun!
It was a transatlantic affair as we had folks joining from the USA as well as the UK.
Fiona in London rustled herself up a Jessica Fletcher Tangerine Twist to sip on during the show
Most of us were watching via DVD but my co-host Brian in NYC was watching on a streaming service. He had a novel way of keeping himself entertained during the adverts…
I said..
Brian replied
He kept us informed throughout, and this comment from Fiona made me laugh…
Ursula in Liverpool particularly enjoyed some of the dialogue and the music that always accompanied a particularly sassy character…
This comment probably only made sense to those of us who had done the Psycho watch party the night before as Stephanie from Nashville had pointed out a particular item of clothing that crops up in MANY films…
Stephanie and Randy were tuning in from Nashville…
and when Jessica went to the Psycho house on her own to investigate some strange goings on there was a palpable sense of panic in the chatroom. I have obscured the name of the person who made this comment, just in case it wasn’t a joke - hahaha
So I think these little snippets will give you an idea of the fun we have at the watch parties. Join me for one sometime, it’s a hoot. Next on the schedule is via my other Substack - Dinner and a Movie - skip over here to sign up if you aren’t already a subscriber.
I am also running a competition, with prizes. Just get creative with some cheese and send me photos!
Star-spangled recipe books!
My books are available worldwide via Amazon (switch to your own country for the correct pricing)
or via my Etsy shop (these will come directly from me and can be signed if you wish) - my 1933 cocktail book facsimile is only available from here. Please note, if you want to buy the cocktail book and one of my other books at the same time, get in touch as I can send it in the same package without you having to pay extra postage.
18 years of posts about movie star recipes can be found here
My friend Tim’s live Murder, She Wrote shows are an absolute HOOT. Why not spend an evening with lots of other Fangelas in real life?!
You can follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook - just search for Silver Screen Suppers.
The snippets from your watch parties are a hoot!
I had no idea they did a crossover! That's genius!