LOS ANGELES — CBS' "Blue Bloods" is one of the best new series of the fall season, a drama about a New York cop family headed by Tom Selleck as the city's police commissioner. But Selleck, after starring in 162 episodes of "Magnum, P.I." from 1980 to 1988, hadn't been eager to do another series, particularly a labor-intensive drama. He was happy with his series of "Jesse Stone" movies and life on his California avocado ranch. And yet, there he was on Wednesday, sitting in front of TV critics and promoting a new series, a drama that shoots in New York.

"Having done a lead, as I did in 'Magnum,' I was in every shot," he said. "I wasn't complaining, but it's a tough road.  'Magnum' was      never canceled.  I kind of left it after eight years because I was tired from it, not tired of it." But "Blue Bloods" felt like a perfect fit. "The script was terrific.  The idea that it was going to shoot in New York, while being a family consideration, was too good to pass up ... because it's another character in the show."

Luckily, "It's an ensemble show.  I think I'll probably spend about half my time in New York City.  I don't mind the commute.  I love my ranch and that lifestyle, but I love work.  And I have a mortgage, so it works out really well."

Fans of the "Jesse Stone" movies will be happy to know Selleck isn't abandoning them. "No. 7 is ready to go.  It's called 'Innocents Lost.' And I made it real clear that I wasn't going give up Jesse, so we're writing No. 8."