J.J. Walters wrote:
But seriously, I LOVE Rockford! One of my very favorite "70's Shows". James Gardner is just fantastic and a great supporting cast, too.
Most of the supporting cast ended up guest starring on Magnum so that tells you something about the quality.
I just find the writing to be incredibly clever with lots of unexpected plot twists and unique stories. Many of Magnum's episodes, while entertaining, are a bit less sophisticated.
Magnum has the advantage in its Hawaii setting, but I'm also a bit partial to Rockford's. Because of living in the area I recognize so many of the places when I watch. I've been to Paradise Cove in Malibu where his trailer was parked many, many times. They even have a plaque now to show where in the parking lot it was located. As a side note the location of Harry O's beach house was just a hundred yards or so down the beach but it was demolished after the hillside collapsed in the winter storms that also washed away the end of the pier.
Magnum's Ferrari is awesome but the car chases in Rockford were better. Then again, Magnum had TC's helicopter. Robin's Nest certainly beats Jim's trailer, but Paradise Cove and the pier are beautiful locations.
Both Selleck and Garner play great non-traditional characters shaped by their past, and they play them superbly.
I guess it all comes back to the stories. The writing in Rockford is so goooood!