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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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TIME MARCHES ON…CAZIMERO, TOO

March 20 is Robert Cazimero’s “39th” birthday, and he’s traditionally celebrating the whole month.

One “party” was his Full Moon concert last night (March 3), at Chef Chai’s, his monthly sold-out gig. But more on this later.

Cazimero, pictured below, is kumu hula of Halau Na Kamalei O Likolehua, the all-gents group of dancers, and the halau and its leader are staging a benefit  for the halau at 7:30 p.m. March 17 at Leeward Community Theatre.

Themed “Pae ‘Aina,” the show – still in planning and rehearsing mode – will feature an all-kahiko for Act 1, according to kumu. A unique Act 2 will assemble the halau troupers in three groups (senior dancers, mid-range dancers, and newbie-younger dancers), to reflect the spectrum of the halau members, according to Cazimero.

The show is sort of a prelude to next year’s milestone for kumu Cazimero –- “my 50th anniversary as a hula teacher,” he said —  and the halau will return to the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2025. So, it will be a memorable niche in the halau’s history…

But back to Cazimero’s show at Chai’s. It was a marvelous overview including usual serenades of Hawaiian music, in Hawaiian and in English, plus a nostalgic roster of pop tunes. The result; a lei laced with layers of memories and remembrances, of joy and humor, and nostalgic anecdotes from the past.

Robert Cazimero, on keyboards, with dancer Fern (Kapalai ‘Ula Silva).

Examples:

  • The first song he learned with brother Roland, before they became part of Sunday Manoa and then The Brothers Cazimero was “The Nearness of You,” emblematic of their bond that would establish the bros as a bona fide Waikiki entity, for several decades, including their 1982 to 1994 residency at the Monarch Room, at the fabled “Pink Palace,” aka the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Naturally, Cazimero sang “Royal Hawaiian Hotel,” a classic melody combining Hawaiian and English lyrics.
  • The mentors who taught him chords and the tricks of the piano were the legendary Mahi Beamer and Loyal Garner.
  • Tunes still lodged in his memory book, from visits to Disneyland in the past: “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,”  and he sang ‘em all. Even “Meeska, Mooska, Mickey Mouse,” the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song that today’s kids don’t know.

Bully (Keola Makaiau), dancing to “Leahi,” but victim of a mistake.

  • His playful moments with featured hula dancers Fern (Kapalai ‘Ula Silva) and Bully (Keola Makaiau) reflected comradery; she was the focus of “Lovely Hula Hands,” with her hula hands graceful as the birds mentioned in the tune; he was the victim of making an error in enacting “Leahi,” the melody about Diamond Head, and the playful miscue meant the dancer had to buy the singer-pianist a drink.
  • The drink led to the obvious toast and tune, “Drinking Champagne,” with intermittent pauses for Cazimero to take a sip of bubbly.

Don’t expect to hear these songs or chit-chats in future Full Moon Concerts at Chai’s, since Cazimero never repeats and regurgitates his patter and patterns. You get an original each time he’s at bat…

And that’s Show Biz…

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CRAVALHO WILL VOICE ‘MOANA 2’

“Moana 2,” the animated sequel from Disney, will open in theaters on Nov. 27 this year.

The film originally was set to stream on Disney+, but the casting was vague  then,  mostly focusing on Dwayne Johnson repeating his role as Maui, the demi-god.

Auli‘i Cravalho,  the Kamehameha Schools student who voiced the original film when she was 14, earlier declined to continue as the titular character in the sequel, but ultimately returned to repeat the role that launched her film career.

Auli’i Cravalho, left, will recreate Moana’s voice, and will co-produce an upcoming live-action “Moana” film but won’t be in it.

“Moana 2” was directed by David G. Derek Jr., with music by Grammy winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foa’i and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina. 

Meanwhile, the  live action “Moana” also will emerge as a theatrical film, with the aforementioned Dwayne Johnson recreating his Maui role.

 A young actress has yet to be named to play Moana, since Cravalho would be too old now, to recreate her cartoon character. However, she will be an  exec producer of the live-action project, which will be directed by Thomas Kail, pictured left, of “Hamilton” fame, with casting still under way, and filming set from June to September in Atlanta . Johnson also will also earn co- producer credit.

 The live-action film is pegged to premiere June 27, 2025. …

Emme’s celebratory moment set for April 27

A Celebration of Life for Emme Tomimbang Burns is slated from 3 to 7 p.m. April 27 at the FilCom Center in Waipahu. Full details are still being finalized.

Tomimbang Burns died Feb. 19 at Queen’s Medical Center, while undergoing open heart surgery. She was 73 and a pioneering figure in the Filipino community, best known as a journalist and the producer, anchor and host of her TV magazine franchise, “Emme’s Island Moment”…

Broadway grosses, for week ending Feb. 25

“Wicked,” which has been bridesmaid to “The Lion King” for quite a spell, last week switched positions with the Disney show, claiming the No. 1 slot of top Broadway shows with grosses topping $2 million.

Here are the Top 10 grossing shows, courtesy The Broadway Guild:

1—”Wicked,” $2,017 million.

2—“The Lion King,” $2,004 million.

3—”Hamilton,” $1,876 million.

4—”Merrily We Roll Along,” $1,566 million.

5—”MJ The Musical,” $1,478 million.

6—”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1,424 million.

7—”Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” $1,350 million.

8—”Aladdin,” $1,340 million.

9-“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1,298 million.

10—”& Juliet,” $1,137 million.

Here’s the full roster of the Broadway attractions:

And that’s Show Biz…

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WILL BAG FEES CURTAIL TRAVEL?

Just asking…

With airline baggage check-in costs spiraling upwards, are you thinking of cutting back your trips?

JetBlue now charges the most to check in luggage: $45 for the first bag, $60 for the second. Hawaiian Airlines has the lowest fees: for inter-island travel, $25 for the first bag, $35 for the second; for mainland trips,  $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Delta matches Hawaiian’s $30 and $40 bag fees.

Checking in bags on  American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also are more expensive now.  So, the immediate dilemma: will you curtail your air travels somewhat, pulling back on recreational travel, and perhaps flying only when it’s a priority?

Fees for checked bags depend on the carrier, how much you pay for your ticket, where you’re flying to, whether you utilize an airline credit card (like Hawaiian’s World Elite charge card), whether you’re a member of an airline loyalty program (like United’s MileagePlus), and other variables. If you check your bags online, not at the airport, there are discounts of $5 or $10.

One blessing: Most carriers allow military fliers to check in bags free.

Some highlights of the new airline policies:

  • American’s check-in fees now are  $40 for the first bag, but $35 if you  prepay online, and $45 for the second bag.  It used to be $30 and $40, but the rates changed Feb. 20.
  • JetBlue fees went up in January, and it costs $45 for first bag and $60 for the second checked bag, $10 more now than previous rates. That’s the most expensive baggage fees now. But JetBlue passengers who confirm they’re flying with checked bags ahead of time will pay $35 for their first bag and $50 for their second.
  • United boasts one of the industry’s most complex plan, detailing hikes depending on how much you pay for your ticket, where you are going, whether you booked via its charge card, and whether you’re a member of its loyalty club. United travelers in North America will pay $5 more for each checked bag now, with the first checked bag fee at $40 or $35 if travelers pay at least 24 hours in advance, and $50 for a second bag, or $45 if travelers pay in advance. United travelers  can check a bag for free if they are flying in a premium cabin,  or have a United Chase credit card,  or are a MileagePlus Premier member, or an active military member. On international flights, the  first bag is free, the second is $100.
  • Hawaiian has quite a detailed bag check-in policy, too, depending on destination: Neighbor Islands, the Mainland or internationally. For Neighbor Island travel, the first bag is $25, the second is $35; to North America, the charge is $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Third checked bags are $50 for Neighbor Islands, $100 for North America. For international flights, or first-class ticketing, checked bags are free. Hawaiian Air World Elite card users may check in two bags without charge on domestic flights. Overweight or over-sized baggage fuel more fees if bags are over 50 pounds.
  • Alaska Airlines’ bag rates are up by $5 for the first checked bag ($35) and a second checked bag ($45). Additional checked bags remain unchanged ($150) per-bag fee. 
  • Delta’s first-bag fee is  $30, and for second bag, $40. Delta SkyMiles card users may check in their first bag without charge.

You can’t dodge checked-luggage fees, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it makes sense to possess an airline charge card, which may include discounts on checked bags. For instance, Hawaiian’s charge card will reduce inter-island flight fees, $15 for your first bag, $30 for your second, and $50 for three or more bags.

Frequent fliers usually have charge cards with their favorite carriers; if you can afford and splurge for a business or first-class seat, you’ll get free luggage check-ins.’

On my last New York trip, I used accrued mileage to get two first class seats, flying to JFK on Hawaiian, and returning from Newark via United. Both flights took beaucoup miles, and the out-of-pocket fees were $50 a person both ways. With Hawaiian’s new partnership with Alaska, saving up mileage for a later trip might be prudent but could be a risk. Will the unused miles have lifetime safety?

WILL BAG FEES CURTAIL TRAVEL?

Just asking…

With airline baggage check-in costs spiraling upwards, are you thinking of cutting back your trips?

JetBlue now charges the most to check in luggage: $45 for the first bag, $60 for the second. Hawaiian Airlines has the lowest fees: for inter-island travel, $25 for the first bag, $35 for the second; for mainland trips,  $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Delta matches Hawaiian’s $30 and $40 bag fees.

Checking in bags on  American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines also are more expensive now.  So, the immediate dilemma: will you curtail your air travels somewhat, pulling back on recreational travel, and perhaps flying only when it’s a priority?

Fees for checked bags depend on the carrier, how much you pay for your ticket, where you’re flying to, whether you utilize an airline credit card (like Hawaiian’s World Elite charge card), whether you’re a member of an airline loyalty program (like United’s MileagePlus), and other variables. If you check your bags online, not at the airport, there are discounts of $5 or $10.

One blessing: Most carriers allow military fliers to check in bags free.

Some highlights of the new airline policies:

  • American’s check-in fees now are  $40 for the first bag, but $35 if you  prepay online, and $45 for the second bag.  It used to be $30 and $40, but the rates changed Feb. 20.
  • JetBlue fees went up in January, and it costs $45 for first bag and $60 for the second checked bag, $10 more now than previous rates. That’s the most expensive baggage fees now. But JetBlue passengers who confirm they’re flying with checked bags ahead of time will pay $35 for their first bag and $50 for their second.
  • United boasts one of the industry’s most complex plan, detailing hikes depending on how much you pay for your ticket, where you are going, whether you booked via its charge card, and whether you’re a member of its loyalty club. United travelers in North America will pay $5 more for each checked bag now, with the first checked bag fee at $40 or $35 if travelers pay at least 24 hours in advance, and $50 for a second bag, or $45 if travelers pay in advance. United travelers  can check a bag for free if they are flying in a premium cabin,  or have a United Chase credit card,  or are a MileagePlus Premier member, or an active military member. On international flights, the  first bag is free, the second is $100.
  • Hawaiian has quite a detailed bag check-in policy, too, depending on destination: Neighbor Islands, the Mainland or internationally. For Neighbor Island travel, the first bag is $25, the second is $35; to North America, the charge is $30 for the first bag, $40 for the second. Third checked bags are $50 for Neighbor Islands, $100 for North America. For international flights, or first-class ticketing, checked bags are free. Hawaiian Air World Elite card users may check in two bags without charge on domestic flights. Overweight or over-sized baggage fuel more fees if bags are over 50 pounds.
  • Alaska Airlines’ bag rates are up by $5 for the first checked bag ($35) and a second checked bag ($45). Additional checked bags remain unchanged ($150) per-bag fee. 
  • Delta’s first-bag fee is  $30, and for second bag, $40. Delta SkyMiles card users may check in their first bag without charge.

You can’t dodge checked-luggage fees, but if you’re a frequent traveler, it makes sense to possess an airline charge card, which may include discounts on checked bags. For instance, Hawaiian’s charge card will reduce inter-island flight fees, $15 for your first bag, $30 for your second, and $50 for three or more bags.

Frequent fliers usually have charge cards with their favorite carriers; if you can afford and splurge for a business or first-class seat, you’ll get free luggage check-ins.’

On my last New York trip, I used accrued mileage to get two first class seats, flying to JFK on Hawaiian, and returning from Newark via United. Both flights took beaucoup miles, and the out-of-pocket fees were $50 a person both ways. With Hawaiian’s new partnership with Alaska, saving up mileage for a later trip might be prudent but could be a risk. Will the unused miles have lifetime safety?

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 ‘JURASSIC WORLD IV’ TO FILM HERE

Watch out for roaring dinosaurs; they’ll soon  be roaming in Hawaii again.

“Jurassic World IV,” a Universal project, is in development and part of the film will be filmed in the islands again.

So, the terrorizing, chomping creatures will be before the cameras later this year.

The project will apparently be a total reboot of the franchise; it’s not a prequel, nor a sequel, but a newbie.

Thus, don’t expect to see familiar actors and actresses from previous casts and projects, unless there are flashbacks.

“Jurassic World IV” will be the seventh in the long-running franchise, following “Jurassic Park” (1993), “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (1997), “Jurassic Park III” (2001), “Jurassic World “ (2015), “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” (2018), and “Jurassic World: Dominion” (2022).

Producers Frank Marshall and Patrick Cowley, who worked on the last three films, will return, but Steven Spielberg, still associated with the franchise since he directed the first “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World,” will only be an executive producer. A director is not yet attached to the film…

More Bruno, with Silk Sonic, in Vegas

We posted recently that Hawaii’s Bruno Mars will do 12 shows this summer in Las Vegas.

But an update: He may also be involved, with  Anderson .Paak, his collaborator in R&B group, Silk Sonic, at the Dolby Live venue at the Park MGM Resort in Sin City.

“It’s happening!” Mars tweeted a few days back. “The sexiest party of the year! Them Silk Sonic Boyz are performing Live in Las Vegas!”

The Silk Sonic residency started Sunday  (Feb. 25) and will continue through April 2. If you’re Vegas bound, you might inquire at the MGM about specific show times and dates…

Around town…

The Shari Lynn Trio will do a one-nighter March 2 at Medici’s at Manoa Marketplace. It’s a familiar venue for Shari, who will be reunited with Jim Howard, pianist, and John Kolivas, bassist.

Shari (pictured) is hoping that the booking – her first time there in a long time — will materialize into a monthly gig again;  Medici’s used to be one-a-month stop for her. As her fans know, her repertoire is chicken soup for the soul, relying on old school favorites from the Great American Songbook, the files of jazz greats,  and the catalogue of Broadway melodies.

I would normally try to be there, but I don’t do stairs anymore, since I have a walker following surgery and other health issues. There is an elevator nearby at the shopping center, but it does not service Medici’s.

Dinner is served at 6 p.m., entertainment is from 7:30 to 10 p.m.

Tickets: $49, includes a served meal. Call (808) 351-0901…

And that’s Show Biz…