‘BEST THING SINCE SLICED PINEAPPLE’

With the airing earlier this week of the last of 10 episodes of “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” it’s time to reflect on and endorse a second season for the Disney+ Hawaii-based, Hawaii-filmed show.

Without doubt, “Doogie” is the best thing to happen here since sliced pineapple.

It’s authentic, credible, consistent, groundbreaking and professional, from top to bottom.

OK, its inspiration is yesteryear’s Neil Patrick Harris medical sitcom, “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” reshaped and rebooted with a new spin – updated for today, wholly filmed here, boasting more local faces on camera and off whose presence glows and certifies the show as a bona fide Hawaii gem.

Simply, this one  is a measuring rod and a model of execution for other filmed-in-the-islands productions to adopt. It’s got the visual integrity among its population of characters and actors, knowing looks matter more than the visitor-appealing customary sights and scenes of tropical Hawaii filling network series.

Poster for ‘Doogie’ series.

An unlikely lass named Lahela becomes a doctor at 16 and is conflicted with high school expections, so it’s simultaneously an homage to the original sitcom and a journey  for modern times. Lahela has to deal with surgeries, as a certified medic, but she struggles to get her driver’s license and boyfriend decisions, too. Like, should he go pro as a paid surfer and leave his lovey-dovey at home?  Domestic  matters compete with hospital commitments, too, because mom Dr. Clara Hannon (played by Kathleen Rose Perkins) rules at home yet doubles as her hospital administrator. It’s a unique balancing act of tough, often hilarious, situations.

Peyton Elizabeth Lee portrays the titular character, and she’s perky, cute, charming and respectful, a lofty inspiration for aspirational kids. While she might look like the kid down the street, she is New York-born but her hapa looks fit the template of the show.

The “Doogie” cast, clockwise from left: Matt Sato, as Kai Kamealoha, Emma Meisdel, as Steph Denisco; Alan Aiono as Walter Camara; Peyton Elizabeth Lee, as Lahela Kamealoha; Kathleen Rose Perkins, as Dr. Clara Hannon; Jason Scott Lee, as Benny Kamealoha; and Wes Tian, as Brian Patrick Kamealoha.

Lahela’s world quickly becomes our world, a tropical paradise with sunny skies, verdant seas, and laced with teen issues and complications that intersect both her medical career and her peers.

Her family is our family – and this is the show’s strength and attraction: most of the actors playing real-life roles look like us. Asian, Hawaiian, haole, hapa. It’s a rainbow collection of normalcy for us folks in the islands.

The show, adapted by Hawaii-born Kourtney Kang, is based on the original series by collaborators Steven Bocho and David E. Kelley which aired on ABC for four seasons and made Harris a star from the get-go.

Jason Scott Lee, as Benny Kamealoha, operator of a shave ice and flower wagon:, has a winning smile.

Its localness surely was a draw for Jason Scott Lee, an actor somewhat semi-retired and residing on the Big Island, to return to active acting playing Benny Kamealoha, Lahela’s appealing and  often off-center dad, who operates a shave ice-and-flowers wagon and proves to be the most natural and adorable pidgin-spouting cast member with a most congenial smile and laughter. Lee, who likely really didn’t need the work, must’ve sensed an opportunity to jump-start his on-and-off Hollywood credits. He played Bruce Lee in a biopic early in his career, portrayed the King of Siam in a London musical mounting of “The King and I,” and last was seen on the big screen as the antagonist Bori Kahn in Disney’s live-action “Mulan.”

The Kamealoha clan includes Matt Sato as the elder son, Kai Kamealoha; he is wickedly funny, with a head of wavy hair that attracts attention, and teen girls adore him. His roots are in Mililani, the westside Oahu community, and his occasional sibling friction with sister Lahela could be stuff your kids argue about.   

Wes Tian as Brian Patrick Kamealoha, the youngest son/brother, is from Chicago but convincingly fits into the ohana. He brings a wry comedic spin to the plate.

Visitor-targeted scenics matter, as this Waimanalo beach scene with Lee, but looks of actors count, too.

Several secondary players – Alex Aiono, as Lahela’s boyfriend Walter Camara, from Phoenix;  Emma Meisel, as Lahela’s BFF Steph Denisco, from Los Angeles; Mapuana Makia as nurse Noelani Hakayama , from Maui; and Ronny Chieng, as Dr. Lee, from  Malaysia; and Jeffrey Boyer-Chapman, as nurse Charles, from Canada – complete the mixed plate inner circle of the show.

For the out-of-town crews, both on and off camera, onetime Hollywood producer Chris Lee, has served as a consulting producer, to provide kokua and guidance from his decades-long savvy in film production. So a shout-out to Lee, who helps make wrongs right in his oversight.

The John A. Burns School of Medicine, an actual University of Hawaii working “campus” for future doctors in training at Kewalo Basin, has a key role weekly on “Doogie Kamealoha.” The show’s hospital wing utilizes available space at JABSOM, which occasionally shows off the glories of the Pacific Ocean and Diamond Head in overhead or distance shots.

The show’s concluding chapter, episode 10, was as good as it gets – capped by the last of three guest-role appearances of the late Al Harrington, who played Uncle John. He died several weeks ago, after completing his guest spots,  and a closing acknowledgement of his passing was a noble send-off. And the oooh-oooh voicing of Israel Kamakawiwo’ole singing his iconic version of “Over th Rainbow,” was a defining moment that demonstrated the show’s prowess and power of a lingering episodic comedy.

A final observation: Lahela’s monologue at the concluding moments of each show — where she composes and spouts observations of life and love, speaking from the heart for her online blog – serves as a flashpoint of humanity and honesty, akin to the family dinners of “Blue Bloods,” where the day’s or week’s concerns are discussed and resolved with truth and inspiration.

Hope Lahela continues this tradition…in the not-yet-announced second season. …

And that’s Show Biz …

‘CHILL’ TIME AT MANOA VALLEY THEATRE

“Be More Chill,” finally out of the lockdown freezer and live and chilling on the Manoa Valley Theatre stage, reflects the flavor of the Broadway musical genre that is evolving with regularity, if not consistency.

As directed and choreographed by Andrew Sakaguchi, “Chill” is hip, loud, ludicrous at times, and now. Meaning it has youth appeal, its intended audience, not so much for graying oldsters; it’s a bit like “Dear Evan Hansen,” with its focus on technology and social media, and “The Prom,” with its high school momentum involving kids in their own weird whirl (like in most musicals about high schoolers).

So there exists a great divide:  parents and adults are not exactly tuned in on the same sci-fi electronic waves as the youths.

In this one, Jeremy (Darian Keanu Ruis Aquino) is an outsider trying to be an insider, who lacks confidence while yearning to be the beau of Chistine (Alanna  Poelzing), his fellow drama student united by a production, and her lack of focus is emblematic of many kids today. He’s mighty likeable and mobile, with a voice that is as powerful as his dance moves; she’s the stand-offish picture of sweet indecision, trying to find her heart.

Darian Keanu Ruiz Aquino (Jeremy) and Alanna Poelzing (Christine), in MVT’s “Be More Chill>”

The musical, written by Joe Iconis (music and lyrics) and Joe Tracz (book), is set in a suburban New Jersey high school, where Halloween looms and a costumed song and bewitching tune makes this a timely arrival. So tricks and treats loom in the playout.

The key characters in Jeremy’s ‘hood include the Squip (Brandon Caban), an avatar in black costume festooned with neon green lights, an invasive alien supposedly a Keanu Reeves look-alike (not!) with powers to guide Jeremy in life and girlfriend issues; and Jeremy’s best buddy Michael (Moku Durant), who also is a geek with loyalty who gets locked in a bathroom; and Jeremy’s dad (Devon Nekoba), who hasn’t worn pants his wife left home.

Thus, the score includes such weirdo tunes as “Michael in the Bathroom” and “The Pants Song,” not relevant outside of the show but expressive and essential in defining some of the issues in the storytelling.

And among the ensemble, Bailey Barnes as Jenna is a multi-threat, as singer and dancer who projects and delivers on cue, and Melani Carrie as Chloe, whose seductive vocal and moves provide precise tension at the right moment.

The tale is based on Ned Vizzini’s novel with the same title, and the show began as an off-Broadway hit that transferred to the Broadway stage. It suits the MVT space well, thanks to Michelle Bisbee’s lean, clean and inventive set that includes numerous stairways and playing platforms, plus turntable wall panels that spin and display backstage mirror and sink, a small cluster of lockers, and even a pair of urinals … all smartly illuminated by Janine Myers’ precise lighting design.

Ticketing advisory: Your preordered reserved seats might have changed since you placed your order (mine did), so it’s advisable to arrive early and resolve seating issues, if any. MVT had to modify seating for social distancing, since protocols changed the rules after sales had started.

Details: www.manoavalleytheatre.com or call  988-6131.

GREEN LIGHT FOR TRICK-OR-TREATING?

Just asking…

In year two of the pandemic, should kids trick-or-treat?

Last year, Halloween was a washout  because of coronavirus.

Trick-or-treating: A go or no?

Though it’s safer now than a year ago, should island keiki (high schoolers included) roam the streets with the Halloween masks or pandemic masks to gather  candy and other treats even if they likely won’t eat anyway?

This is not your older sibling’s Halloween, when kids not only had a bag for treats, but carried a jack-o-lantern (with candle, years ago; with batteries, in more recent times). Do you remember jack-o-lanterns?

There still remains that magic number 10 for outdoor gatherings and there are clusters of dozens in costumes  parading down the streets, often in clusters larger than 10,  to collect the sweets.

So what’s your plan? Keep the kids at home? Don’t hand out treats?

2ND TV SERIES FOR MOSES GOODS

Moses Goods, the respected and versatile performer and writer, has had good fortunes in recent week, with productions “on location” in Hawaii.

His visibility and accolades were tantamount, when he appeared in CBS’ “NCIS: Hawai‘i”as Wally Holman, the Waimanolo-based father of Kai Holman, the secondary agent character  portrayed by Alex Tallant supposedly with  island roots but dubious loyalty of becoming a “local” again. For the record, Tallant is part Maori and Samoan, and would pass for a Hawaii lad, but lacks the aura and credibility of Goods, formerly of Maui and now of Oahu.  Surely, you’re familiar with Goods, a native Hawaiian-black actor-playwright who wrote and starred in a one-man show, “Duke,” about the legendary surfer and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku. The producers wanted to make his at-home scenes credible, so Goods brought in some real vintage photos that are now plopped on a table, providing realistic set accoutrements to the household.

Moses Goods

But here’s where the good fortune comes in. Goods recently auditioned for a recurring role in the HBO Max lifeguard drama, “Ke Nui Road,” the pilot for which begins filming on the North Shore shortly. His character is Jeremy and what he does has not yet been revealed.

“Ke Nui Road” aims to be a lifestyle portrait of the grittiness and grandeur of North Shore lifeguards, in that monster-wave setting that instantly attracts athletes and spectators. No, don’t expect a reboot of “Baywatch;” the “Ke Nui” team should deliver a drama as huge as the waves, at best.

John Wells

Maybe his “NCIS” performance was a factor, maybe not, but Goods got word that he will be seen as Jeremy, and clearly, he impressed the executive producers, John Wells, Matt Kester and Erin Jontow, who had a note of congrats attached to an orchid plant in a basket, delivered  to his doorsteps. Naturally, Goods was blown by the kindness and  hospitality of the Wells-led team. If you’re up on TV honchos, Wells was the showrunner of “The West Wing” and “Shameless,” Kester is an “”Animal Kingdom” writer, and Jontow is president of Television at John Wells Productions.

Perhaps Wells and team should enlist North Shore resident  Jack Johnson to create authentic original island-style music for the score? Just thinking, if the team hasn’t thought of this yet. …

Manoa DNA has Blue Note gig

Lloyd Kawakami

Manoa DNA will take stage at Blue Note Hawaii at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13, not focusing on its melodies but doing tributes to legendary pop acts.

The trio now is a duo, with dad Lloyd Kawakami  (the D) and son Alx Kawakami (the A) still in the act. Nick Kawakami (the N), son of Lloyd and bro of Alx, now is involved full-time in real estate.

The group – with skills in harmonic vocals — will feature the tunes of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon & Garfunkel. It earlier presented a slate of  songs by The Eagles.

Reservations: www.bluenotehawaii.com or phone 777-4890. …

Tito’s schedules

Tito Berinobis will perform solo from 6 to 9 p.m.  Fridays and Saturdays, at Chart House Waikiki, with a tweaked schedule due to coronavirus restrictions. Chart House is launching a weekend brunch, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning today (Oct.2) and Sunday (Oct. 3). Call 941-6669.

Berinobis continues to entertain at the Ilikai Courtyard from 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays and at the Elks Club Waikiki from 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays,  schedules unchanged. …

And that’s Show Biz. …