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CHATTER PLENTIFUL IN NCIS WORLD

There’s a swirl of rumors – some true, some likely mere chatter for now – in the “NCIS” universe.

The first, in the “NCIS: Hawai‘i” brand, is that a crossover plan with the original mothership show, “NCIS,” still is in the works, with an episode to be filmed in Hawaii with two guest stars from the original show, coming here to paradise. For a brief spell, three players were to participate.

Wilbur Valderama, portraying Nick Torres, and Katrina Law, playing Jessie Knight, were the first two named for the crossover to solve crimes with Vanessa Lachey, who is NCIS brand’s lone woman boss, Jane Tennant. The duo’s still awaiting the assignment in Hawaii.

Brian Dietzen

A third actor, Brian Dietzen, who is medical examiner Jimmy Palmer, was later added on a short list of guest actors…but the brakes were put on his guest gig. Could happen later, if the Hawaii show lands an anticipated second-season order as expected, but in the meantime, Dietzen can unpack his bag and wait out the decision.

With little fanfare, CBS announced the formation of “NCIS: Australia,” planned for the 2023 season, likely to be led by the Hawaii showrunners,  Christopher Silber and Jan Nash, who came over here from the “NCIS: New Orleans” hierarchy, triggering the latest buzz that Scott Bakula , who played Dwayne Pride in the Big Easy show, might be a logical  choice to honcho the show in Sydney, since the N.O. project received an undeserved pink slip.

Scott Bakula

However, the news about the Down Under spin-off, timetable unknown, fueled more buzz that Cote de Pablo might also come out of the shadows, to reprise  agent Ziva David, from the original Mark Harmon production.

Neither the Bakula/Pride nor the de Pablo/David  situations have been  properly confirmed. Thus, we might as well toss in another viewer-oriented queary: Since Michael Weatherly, who played Tony DiNozzo opposite the David character (they had great chemistry, the best between two investigators in the franchise’s history), now is unemployed and available since his “Bull” series has been canceled, could he be considered for the Aussie team. too? Just thinking. …

Clublicity

Air Supply, featuring Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, will return to Blue Note Hawaii in a two-night stand and another three-show gig, at 8 p.m. March 8 and 9 and again March 11 to 13. Doors open at 6 p.m. for  dinner and beverage service.. Ticket prices vary: for March 8 and 9, $145 premium, $90 for loge seating and bar zone; for March 11 to 13, $165 and $115 for the parallel seating. …

Streetlight Cadence also return to the Blue Note, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. March 20. Doors open a 5 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. Tickers: $35 premium, $12 loge and bar zones. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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HEARTBREAKING:  NEWSROOM SHUTDOWN

It’s old news but sad news about the state of your daily newspaper.

For all practical reasons, the newsroom of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser has virtually shut down. Most reporters – the heartbeat of local news gathering – have been working from home since last fall. The work-at-home decision clearly is one way to reduce overhead costs.

But there’s something to say about devoted reporters and editors, toiling side by side with common goals of putting out a daily paper. The water fountain chit-chats are long gone. The camaraderie is nil.

“They closed the newsroom for good – can you believe it?” one veteran newsroom reporter told me in an email.

“It’s very sad and hurtful,” another said.

“(We’re) told everyone work-from-home is the new rule of law; I’m sure it’s saving the company a ton of money but the real expense is the lost of a vibrant newsroom.”

You’ve heard of “breaking news,” the usual media term whenever something worth your attention is announced. Well, “heartbreaking news” is the unannounced (to the public) situation  at the Waterfront Row  HQ of the morning daily. If TV reported this newsroom policy, I missed it. Honolulu magazine once dubbed the vicinity Death Row, since the early vibe of Restaurant Row (the site’s original name) disappeared.

Star-Advertiser newspaper dispenser.

So it’s a time to mourn, really.

As the state continues to struggle to return to restore the new normal for its citizens, the paper is shrinking and sinking its own ship by this work-at-home decree. I mean, haven’t the schools reopened for most campuses and government workers back to the daily routine since the protocols have been relaxed?   

Sure, skeletal crews are still toiling at the paper; editors, page designers and select hired hands essential in getting the paper out still are bound to desk stations.

But the heartbeat of journalism is the corps of news-gatherers, working the phones and bellowing to colleagues and yakking about the latest restaurant to open or close, as part of the rhythm of newsroom life?

I know. I’ve been there. For 45 years full-time at the then-stand alone Honolulu Advertiser, located at the Kapiolani Blvd./South Street landmark, then another dozen years as a retired free-lance contributor writing a column for the combined Honolulu Star-Advertiser, till I was summarily dismissed because of the looming health threat in the spring of 2019. Cost-cutting was the convenient alibi, but I couldn’t live on what I was paid, anyway, since I worked from home and paid for my own entertainment fees when reviewing shows. Still do, for my online presence now.

You knew the paper was suffering, when the daily four-section product became a two-second minimalist, when the pandemic was invasive and shutting down everything. It cut out a Saturday edition (online only, still) but restored the sports section so the daily paper now has three sections. The fourth – formerly Today, Island life when there were two papers,  and then Detours  as part of the merger– is seemingly gone forever. The arts community misses the separate entertainment/features section most papers traditionally retain. The newish Crave tabloid, like the Sunday Dining Out pull-out, is mainly an avenue for potential advertisers, lured to buy a Wednesday and a Sunday combo ad. Many of the food reporters work from home, too.

Full-time beat reporters no longer have an office desk or phone. Go figure.

 As one source indicated, “they (the bean counters) set up offices on the fifth floor for when people need a space to work, but no dedicated desks. And the newspaper is really bad; it’s embarrassing. I don’t have to tell you that.”

It’s also clear that the union has no muscle to argue the necessity and validity of the newsroom vibe. Not sure if some, or most, reporters like working from home, paying for their own smart phones and utilizing their own computers to file a story. The side amenity: no bosses to bother you.

The cutbacks might have been an essential decision when COVID was a daunting enemy, but the villain now appears to be at the publisher level with a mission to keep costs down.

The office communal esprit is what’s missing, for veteran reporters who know that camaraderie is part of the vitality of the newsroom.

“I miss the buzz and energy of the newsroom – a truly unique workspace. And especially in our business; you need to be able to bounce off each other, walk around, shoot the bull, compare notes, etc.,” said one longtimer. The vacuum might also impact cub reporters, at the start of their print careers. “How are the rookies supposed to learn, the ropes without being able to see the pros in action, yelling at each other and over the phone,” said the vet, hanging in there but can’t wait to retire. …

And that’s Show Biz. …

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FILIPINO PRIDE MOMENT FOR KIAN TALAN

It was all in the ‘ohana recently, on the set of CBS’ “NCIS: Hawai‘i,” when actor Kian Talan – who portrays Alex Tennant – had kin folks visiting here. And the family wound up as extras in a scene to be aired soon.

While Talan commonly argues with his on-air mom, Jane Tennant, portrayed by Vanessa Lachey, he was quite a family dude when his dad, mom and brother visited during the Christmas holidays.

Turns out that Talan’s family were huge fans of Lachey, who is part Filipino, as is Talan.

So the chance to witness and experience son’s work style – and being on camera even if only as background actors – was thrilling.

Kian Talan

“They just play people who are walking around in the back but they got to see the entire process of how we create these episodes and they’re like fan-girling over Vanessa like, ‘Oh my God,’” Talan said to express.com.

“Filipinos are culturally big fans of other Filipinos in mainstream media, so they were like, ‘I need a picture, I’m sweating,’” said Talan.

‘Twas a Filipino pride moment for all.

He acknowledged a challenging growing up.
“I’m used to being stereotyped and judged,” he has been quoted. “I’m the son of two Filipino immigrants and grew up in a white, suburban town in New Hampshire. I didn’t need another reason for people to stare, so I always kept my my head down and never pushed myself to see what I could do.”

Relocating to New York gave him the freedom to get over past insecurities, “pushing me toward my acting dream.” …

Calendar notations

Gigs to contemplate, over the next few days:

Josh Tatofi
  • Josh Tatofi has a four-night run, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. tomorrow through Wednesday (Feb. 13-16), at Blue Note Hawaii. A special Valentine’s dinner – prime rib surf and turf, with suggested wine pairings plus desserts keyed to V-Day – is available.  Visit www.bluenotehawaii or call (808) 777-4890.
  • Mike Love has two Blue Note gigs – an acoustic solo night Feb. 17 and a group encounter with The Full Circle Feb. 20. See above for reservations.
  • Judy Collins will be featured Feb. 18 and 19 at Blue Note. See above for reservations.
  • A Smooth Jazz concert is on tonight (8 p.m. Feb. 12) at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel. Featured: guitarist Peter White, keyboardist Gregg Karukas and saxophonist Michael Paulo. Visit TIX.com or call (951) 696-0184. …
  • And that’s Show Biz. …

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HAWAII KAI ZIPPY’S REOPENING FEB. 15

At long last: Zippy’s at the Koko Marina Shopping Center will indeed reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 15),

as reported here last week. Dine-in services will be limited, however.

As you know, we Hawaii Kai folks have to drive to Zippy’s Kahala for dine-in get-togethers. That ends soon.

Zippy’s reopening on the marina will be a joyous welcome. However, for now, hours of operation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. only.

Zippy’s Hawaii Kai is set to reopen Tuesday (Feb. 15).

The restaurant has undergone some renovations, so I guess we’ll all find out when we make our initial visit.

Take-out orders will continue, and available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

If the Kahala menu is an indication, there may be some sticker shock for those who’ve mostly ordered takeout during the pandemic closure of the Hawaii Kai dining room. Prices have risen, but you must know that from your weekly grocery shopping and gasoline fill ups. Prices for everything everywhere have risen, right? …

‘Doogie’ star lands Disney+ film

When it rains, it pours. Peyton Elizabeth Lee, the titular character in “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.,” will co-star in “Prom Pact,” as  Mandy Coleman, a high schooler who also is a feminist.

Peyton Elizabeth Lee

Her co-star will be Milo Hanheim, from the movie “Z-O-M-B-I-E-S.”

“Prom Pact,” a high school rom-com with prom fever at its peak, will be produced by Disney+, where “Doogie’s” first season is streaming now on Disney+.

In the new film, Lee’s character has a keen eye on making it to Harvard, but she is smitten with Hanheim’s character, Ben, as blooming complications arise, according to Deadline.

“Doogie,” which is filmed in Hawaii, has been renewed for a second season, so Lee likely will be “Prom”-bound only after her streaming filming completes production. …

 And that’s Show Biz. …