Category: Television

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AND THE OSCARS GO TO…

This year’s Academy Awards likely have been already decided in recent weeks, amid the cluster of pre-Oscars competitions.

You know, Golden Globes, Critics Choice, SAG, BAFTA, etc.

ABC will televise the ceremonies, set to begin at 1 p.m. Sunday (March 10) Hawaii time, with Jimmy Kimmel hosting  from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. A pre-show ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m.

Our predictions in seven key categories:

  • Best Picture – “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Director – Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Actor – Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Actress – Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
  • Best Supporting Actor –Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer.”
  • Best Supporting Actress – Da’Vine Joy Randolph, “The Holdovers.”
  • Best Song – “What Was I Made For,” from “Barbie,” Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell.
  • Some observations:

Disclosures: I didn’t see “The Holdovers” – it was on island screens briefly – so I’ll go along with Da’vine Joy Randolph’s previously amassed trophies. In the same film, Paul Giamatti (one of my respected faves over time) has won a Globe, seemingly won’t be able to surpass the rollercoaster that “Oppenheimer” has been this season.

Upsets could happen: Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) was a fave in the Golden Globes, so could bump Gladstone, the first Native Ameriican nominee this year. While Randolph was an earlier winner in the SAG, America Ferrera’s long monologue in “Barbie’ was quite the essence of a supporting actress performance.

Longest running films this year: “Flower Moon,” 3 hours 26 minutes.  “Oppenheimer”? 3 hours. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” 2 hours 48 minutes. Length could be a winning element.

Documentary snub: Why was Swift’s (pictured) concert film was ruled ineligible for Best Documentary consideration?: The Academy’s take: “Works that are essentially promotional or instructional are not eligible, nor are works that are essentially unfiltered records of performances.” Oh-kay. Still, the doc was tailor-made for Swift’s abundant talent.

More snub-bery: “Barbie” earned eight nominations but was absent in key actress and direction categories. Why?  “Barbie” was nominated for Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Ferrera) and Best Supporting Actor (Ryan Goslyn), and two  Best Song contenders, for a total eight slots. Everything considered, “Barbie” was a fun, stylish and popular box office hit. Pink and pretty, too, but it won’t win Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, or Best Supporting Actor, so let’s hope it cops a couple of techie awards. Its fame will have to settle for Best Song.

A galaxy of stars will be assembling: As is the tradition, last year’s Oscar winners will be on hand to present trophies to this year’s winners. So, anticipate seeing Brendan Fraser, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Other celebrities expected: Michelle Pfeiffer, Al Pacino are set to appear, along with  Zendaya, Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Lange, Nicolas Cage, Mahershala Ali, Sam Rockwell and Luptia Nyong’o. More names should be added by show time. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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ABLES SAYRE JOINING ‘LIARS’ CAST

Perhaps her white hair mattered!

Loretta Ables Sayre, the Tony-nominated island singer-actress who starred as Bloody Mary in Lincoln Center’s “South Pacific” several years ago, has been cast as a grandma in HBO Max’s “Pretty Little Liars” second season, dubbed “Summer School.”

“I play the mother of Lea Salonga (Elodie in season one’s “Original Sin”), and the grandmother of her daughter Mouse, played by Malia Pyles,” Ables Sayre said in an e-mail.

Her character’s name is Lola, who arrives in Millwood, to live with her granddaughter for the summer.

Ables Sayre, pictured, does look like a tutu now, with a stunning ’do. Remember when her Facebook postings last year showcased her flowing, graying, whitening hair, au naturel…minus coloring?

“Pretty Little Liars” will be chockfull of teens, many who are deceiving liars. Some will be returnees, others will be newbies. The show is a daunting and complicated blend of passion, tension, creepiness, heroes, and villains. Some will survive, some won’t.

The show is expected to stream on HBO Max this spring…

Broadway grosses, for week ending March 3

Not surprisingly, “The Lion King” still tops the ratings game on Broadway; but two new shows have joined the million dollar club, at No.9 and No. 10.

The Top 10:

1—“The Lion King,” $1,633 million.

2—”Wicked,” $1,603 million.

3—“Hamilton,” $1,548 million.

4—“Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,478 million.

5–  Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,214 million.

6—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,199 million.

7—”MJ The Musical,” $1,181 million.

8—”Aladdin,” $1.035 million.

9—”Hadestown,” $1,022 million.

10—“An Enemy of the People,” $1,005 million.

The complete list, courtesy the Broadway League:

And that’s Show Biz…

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‘NCIS’ GROWING, WITH PREQUEL, SPIN-OFF

The “NCIS” universe is about to broaden this year and next, with two new shows – a prequel and a spin-off.

The recent issue about the mothership of CBS’ “NCIS” franchise, whether the original show will be gaining a 22nd season, following the current 21st season, or head for the sunset via syndicated reruns.

But then news broke about a prequel on CBS, introducing Austin Stowell, pictured, as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who star in “NCIS: Origins,’ tracking Gibbs as he launches his career as a special agent in 1991, years before the current series.

If that wasn’t enough, rumors of a reunion of two standouts in “NCIS” history, Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, and Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, also surfaced, but as a streaming show on Paramount+, not CBS. The title of new show, expected later this year, has not been announced, but its return to the small screen had been fueled with buzz and anticipation (mostly generated by Weatherly) 10 years after both special agents departed the show.

Two Harmons will be aboard

Mark Harmon, pictured, whose Gibbs viewers know well, will narrate the new prequel, and serve as the series’ executive producer, joined by his son, Sean Harmon, who has also previously portrayed a young Gibbs. Both Harmons  will join David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal, who are set to serve as co-showrunners. and will co-write the premiere episode.

Stowell is not yet widely known, though he has amassed previous credits with roles in “Whiplash” and “Bridge of Spies.” He co-starred with Emma Stone in “Battle of the Sexes,” and appeared in other TV series as “A Friend of the Family,” “The Hating Game,” “Breathe,” and “Catch 22,” plus  Steven Spielberg’s series “Amazing Stories” and “Public Morals.”

It’s too early to know where CBS will program its newest “NCIS.” Could it be on Monday nights, where the prequel could precede the still-running original show, which in turn now precedes “NCIS: Hawaii”?  CBS already has a triple dose of “FBI” series on Tuesday nights, just the way NBC devotes Wednesday nights to the trio of “Chicago” shows and Thursday’s roster of “Law and Order” staples.

International implications

The spin-off will have international implications and thus will be shot abroad.

Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) and Michael Weatherly (Tony Di Nozzo) will reunite in a new “NCIS” spin-off based in Europe.

The new series picks up after Ziva’s dramatic return from her supposed death, reuniting her with Tony and their daughter, Tali, in Paris. However, their peaceful life is shattered when Tony’s security company comes under attack, forcing the family to go on the run across Europe. As theycsort out who is after them and why, they must confront the past and rebuild trust.

John McNamara, who wrote the pilot episode, expressed enthusiasm in joining the team to explore the NCIS universe from a different perspective and new locations.

“Given that the franchise is such a global sensation, I think it’s phenomenal that CBS Studios and Paramount+ have given us the greenlight to shoot in Europe,” he said in a statement..

Romantic tension, workplace friction

After years of romantic tension and workplace friction with Weatherly/Tony, de Pablo/Ziva resigned during season 10 but appeared in the first two episodes of season 11.

Shortly thereafter, de Pablo left the series, with her character being presumably killed in a bombing in Israel, as revealed in season 13 — but not before she gave birth to a daughter, Tali, who was fathered by Tony.

Weatherly’s character departed the series after season 13 to presumably care for Tali. Further, Ziva was revealed to have survived the explosion that everyone thought killed her in a bombing in Israel, as revealed in season 13 — but not before she gave birth to a daughter, Tali, who was fathered by DiNozzo.

Ziva was revealed to have survived the explosion in season 16, and briefly reappeared in that season’s finale and four episodes of season 17.

Exec producer credit, too

In their new show, Weatherly and de Pablo will serve as executive producers alongside John McNamara, The spin-off will mark the screen debut of the couple’s daughter Tali.

The spin-off will likely log a NCIS “first:” Mark Harmon will not be an executive producer and — for now, anyway — is not expected to appear on the show…

And that’s Show Biz…

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VIDA NEW BALLET HAWAII LEADER

Richard Vida, a veteran Broadway luminary, has been named as the new executive director of Ballet Hawaii.

A frequent visitor to Hawaii who has lived on Oahu briefly, Vida previously taught tap dance and musical theater at Ballet Hawaii.

“We have known Richard for many years and could not be luckier that he agreed to join our team,” said Susie Schull of Ballet Hawaii. “His background on Broadway and the performing arts is vast and covers every type of dance.”

Vida and his husband Bob Billig have called New York City their home where both have been active for decades (Billig is a musical conductor), and they have traveled extensively and had relocated to Connecticut. 

Vida, pictured, has had a diverse career,  not just as an actor, singer and dancer in theater, on TV and in films, and boasts credentials a guest artist, teacher, producer, and director…

Show breezes

Several popular island performers will be on the Hawaii Theatre stage in the weeks ahead.

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s Hapa Symphony series will feature these acts:

  • Singer Paula Fuga, pictured, appears at 7:30 p.m. March 9.
  • Singer Robert Cazimero performs at 7:30 pm. April 20.
  • Ukulele artist  Jake Shimabukuro performs at 7:30 pm. May 18.

Tickets are priced from $10:50 to $99, at hawaiitheatre.com or (808) 528-0506…

Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) and Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs) on “NCIS.”

Will DiNozzo and ‘NCIS’ regulars return?

The internet is a-buzz with a possible return of Michael Weatherly, the beloved  Tony DiNozzo from the original “NCIS” universe, which made him a star and producing director-producer Mark Harmon a legend as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Ten years since Weatherly departed the CBS procedural, he’s ready to return to the franchise for his last hurrah. Performers including Harmon likely will also return to the show (he’s been off the show for a couple of seasons) and possibly Ziva, played by Cote de Paulo, who exited the same time Weatherly did, could return.

Weatherly may have been the one to trigger the rumors, after he posted on X/Twitter his notion to reprise DiNozzo.

“There will be more DiNozzo someday because he is the one character that felt unfinished,” he said on X.

The NCIS franchise continues to expand via a Leroy Jethro Gibbs prequel series, which will feature familiar faces and potentially a few more.

“NCIS” is in the midst of its 21st season now. So it makes sense that the alums return to the show now.

First, Weatherly’s DiNozzo had unbeatable chemistry with Gibbs, and was the favorite of the NCIS leader, to target DiNozzo, with a slap on the head.

Second, Weatherly also had sizzle with agent Ziva and their relationship was hugely popular with viewers.

Third, now is the time for NCIS characters from the past, returning to pay homage and respect to David McCallum, who played Donald “Ducky” Mallard. who died last September. He played the chief medical examiner and the current series plans a tribute to Ducky, and it’s a smart way – and a ratings boost – that past colleagues return to say goodbye.

Surely, even Abby Sciuto, the forensic scientist  enacted by Pauley Perrette, would be a likely returnee, too.

CBS has remained mum about the return of any ex-cast members– for the goodbye to Ducky or for a cameo in the last season for the franchise’s mother ship original. The time is right for that elusive reunion…

And that’s Show Biz…

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MARIOTA FINALLY AT SUPER BOWL

Reflections on last Sunday’s Super Bowl:
Marcus Mariota, homegrown football fave, finally made it to the Super Bowl. Well, sorta. The Philadelphia Eagles’ underutilized secondary QB was heard but not seen on the  Super Bowl telecast.

Mariota (pictured) narrated that splendid Lahaina Wildfire commercial, that reflected the Maui Strong message, depicting the horrors of that August day, when more than 100 perished and the historic harbor front town was reduced to a charcoal-gray ghost town. The commercial was a preview to the coin toss to begin the battle between the favored San Francisco 49ers and the underdog Kansas City Chiefs. A Lahainaluna football contingent were honored, including  four Luna team members, including players Morgan “Bula” Montgomery, Teva Loft, Kaulana Tihada and Kuola Watson who were joined by their coaches Dean Rickard and Garret Tihada and former head coach Bobby Watson…

Then there was actor Jason Momoa (pictured), the Hawaii native, in a T-Mobile clip, even singing and doing a backflip, in the commercial featuring  Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who shelved their usual “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” vocalizing. In a comedic set-up, Braff and Faison knock on a door with a plate of wings, and Momoa informs them that the party had been cancelled due to the cable being out. Then, Braff and Faison broke out in song and dance moves, convincing Momoa to switch to T-Mobile 5g home internet while chirping ”What a Feeling” from the 1983 film “Flashdance.” “Aquaman” joins in only to get doused with water…in a splashdance of sorts…

With CBS  airing the Super Bowl, it was no surprise to see quick images of “NCIS: Hawaii” co-stars Vanessa Lachey and LL Cool J together…

Of course, Dwayne Johnson, an island native, got camera time, too, but why not? He’s The Rock…

But there was no sign of local boy Bruno Mars, who has a residency at the MGM Resort, but then again, he was busy during the weekend, hosting and opening The Pinky Ring, his new ritzy lounge/bar at the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip, where the likes of Lady Gaga and Blake Shelton popped in during Super Bowl weekend…

Nyle Hallman dies at 95

Sorry to report the death, on Feb. 14, of Nyle Hallman, widow of Roy Hallman  who were co- founders of the Honolulu Boy Choir. She was 95. She also was the  longtime accompanist for the choir and the veteran  organist of the Central Union Church.

Daughter Kathy Hallman confirmed the death at the family home.

Blake M. Nuibe, who has served as executive director of the world-famous Honolulu Boy Choir, said he and boy choir ohana members Kay Hirasuna, Glenn Seo and Philip Fujimoto, recently gifted Nyle with a Hawaiian floral arrangement to celebrate the new year and to wish her well.

 “I conversed with Nyle on Jan. 18 and again on Feb.9,” said Nuibe. “Both times, her mind was sharp, and her spirits were high, but knew her health was flailing.  Kathy is heartbroken but very grateful for Nyle’s long. amazing life.”

Nyle and Roy (who died April 20, 2007, at age 82) had a successful and prolific life with the Boy Choir, which they co-founded in 1974, inspired by the Vienna Boy Choir. They enlisted boys 7 to 14 — with or without experience, many with higher-pitched voices due to their young ages – to sing, focus, and to be attentive while standing on risers, unified in voice, and mentored by the Hallmans. The choir toured globally, were fixtures on not only on the concert stage, but in recordings and TV, and for many years did Christmas season concerts, notably featuring their version of “Numbah One Day of Christmas,” at the Monarch Room of the fabled Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Nyle was a masterful musician, who played harp as well as organ, and has been the organist at Central Union and principal harpist with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

Funeral services are pending…

Streetlighters have weekend shows

Streetlight Cadence will do shows on Maui and the Big Island this weekend.

The agenda, part of the group’s ongoing Brighter Than Ever Tour, includes these shows:

–Friday (Feb. 16), at 7:30 p.m., at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s McCoy Studio Theatre. (tickets).

–Saturday (Feb. 17), at 7 p.m., at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea, on the Big Island. Tickets: $40, $70. (tickets)

–Sunday, at 2 p.m., at Hungry Ear Records in Kakaako. Free, with a meet-and-greet after the show. please RSVP here

Broadway grosses, for week ending Feb. 11

“Hamilton” again is the No. 1 draw on Broadway, a skosh ahead of “The King.”

Here’s the top 10:

1—”Hamilton,”$1,565 million.

2—”The Lion King,” $1,504 million.

3—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,494 million.

4—” Wicked,” $1,303 million.

5—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,260 million.

6—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,205 million,

7–“MJ The Musical,” $1,163 million.

8—” Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $949,121,

9–“ Aladdin,” $923,150,

10—”& Juliet,” $897,506.

The complete list, courtesy The Broadway Guild:

And that’s Show Biz. …