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Phil Arnone has begun work on a Rap Reiplinger TV special for KGMB that will probe the layers of laughs and lunacy we all adored from the late comedian-actor-writer, who died Jan. 24, 1984, at age 33.
"It’ll be the life story of Rap Reiplinger," says Arnone, though a formal title is not yet set. A September air date is planned.
Reiplinger, a founding member with Ed Kaahea and the late James Grant Benton of the Booga Booga comedy troupe, is fondly remembered for his "Poi Dog" album and "Rap’s Hawaii" video. His "Room Service," "Fate Yanagi" "Japanese Rollcall" and "Auntie Marialani" are among his signatures, still alive on YouTube.
Larry Fleece, one-time KGMB producer who worked on Reiplinger’s classic TV stuff, will be involved, and Reiplinger’s widow, the former Leesa Clark (now remarried and with two kids, living in Tennessee), will share memories. …
PARADISE FOUND: Ivanka Trump, daughter of Ivana and Donald Trump, is visiting Honolulu and is ensconced — where else? — at The Donald’s Trump Tower in Waikiki. …
Nathan Osmond, nephew of Donny and Marie Osmond, debuted his new country single, "Sweet," earlier this month at the Saturday morning Perry and Price breakfast show at Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber. Osmond is the centerpiece of "Pacific Swing Hawaii," the nostalgic revue at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. …
That Mayoral Celebration, honoring Mayor Peter Carlisle and originally set for Valentine’s Day, is rescheduled for April 19 at the Coral Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Because of the reshuffling, comedian Andy Bumatai had to bow out, so Augie T is stepping in, from 6 to 9 p.m., to join Monica Mancini (performing her dad Henry Mancini‘s two signature tunes, "Moon River" and "Days of Wine and Roses"), Jimmy Borges, Jim Nabors, Afatia, the Matt Catingub Band and emcee Al Waterson. Tickets: $150 per person, with premium corporate tables ($1,000, $500, $250) available; call 877-238-6323 or e-mail celebration@petercarlisle.com. …
HOMETOWNERS: All that recent fuss about Tia Carrere picking up her second Hawaiian music Grammy Award is curious, tired and frustrating for both her and her dissenters. She did it fairly and squarely (OK, with the smarts of Daniel Ho, her six-time Grammy-winning producer-musician-collaborator), and Hawaii appears to be the only place where there’s backlash and bitchery about the outcome. She is island-born but chooses to live in Los Angeles (ditto, Ho), and while most folks were pulling for Amy Hanaiali’i to win, she didn’t. Could be voters don’t know her, or the couple hundred local National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences voting members didn’t rally support. Looking ahead: Carrere is committed to portray the revered late surfer Rell Sunn, the Queen of Makaha, in "Wave Dancer." Will a tidal wave of protest follow? …
Local girl Jillian Moul was one of the film editors for "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," the biopic of The Bieb. …
LOST AND FOUND: Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond on "Lost"), who still calls Hawaii home, has landed a lead role in a yet-to-be-titled ABC pilot from Shonda Rhimes, whose "Off the Map" is in production here. He’ll play the male lead, a litigator working for a powerhouse PR guru and "fixer" played by Kerry Washington. The show is based on the life of Judy Smith, former White House press aide to President George H.W. Bush who later counseled the likes of Monica Lewinsky and Michael Vick. …
And Jorge Garcia (Hurley on "Lost") will do another J.J. Abrams drama set on another island. This one, called "Alcatraz," is destined for Fox, with Garcia portraying a geeky but hip Dr. Diego Soto in a story about missing Alcatraz inmates and guards who reappear in present life. Garcia also had a spot on Matthew Perry‘s ABC pilot, "Mr. Sunshine." …
FINALLY: Arcadia celebrated and acknowledged 94 residents over 90 years old (two are over 100) at a Valentine’s Day lobby party. The honorees created floral headbands to identify their seniority. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
