Local boy Anthony Ruivivar has completed filming an hourlong A&E pilot, "Big Mike," set in San Diego but shot in Orlando, Fla. He’s playing Armando, an ex-Marine and partner to lead cop Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman in "Heroes"), the plus-size detective of the title.
The Sony project, in post-production, is partnered with Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison company. Ed Decter and John Strauss, who wrote "There’s Something About Mary," co-wrote "Big Mike."
Ruivivar, son of the Society of Seven founder Tony Ruivivar, earlier played Alejo Salazar in "The Whole Truth" and Carlos Nieta in "Third Watch."
With a cable network there’s a better likelihood for a series to find an audience without the stress of weekly ratings. Florida-based shows like "Burn Notice" and "The Glades" are popular cable entities; "CSI: Miami" is a prime-time Florida-based CBS series. …
HAWAII OH-OH: The delayed (but delightful) announcement that the island-based "Hawaii Five-0" will return for season two this fall was a no-brainer. The show expanded its HQ sets at the old Honolulu Advertiser building, embraced the local tech community, endeared the viewership and expanded high-profile guest roles (Sean Combs — great results, with lots of gusto and presence; Rick Springfield — not so good; killed off before the opening credits — a puzzler). …
And did you catch a TV Guide online clip where Alex O’Loughlin, who has to endure the rigors of the Steve McGarrett role, displayed a Tokuhon or Salonpas pain-relief plaster on his bruised right shoulder? …
ON STAGE: Manoa Valley Theatre’s "August: Osage County" has a 7 p.m. curtain Thursdays through Sundays and 4 p.m. Sundays, and no Saturday matinees since it’s a long play (three hours) with two intermissions. …
Army Community Theatre’s "Bugsy Malone" has moved to Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College, for this show only; final performance at 3 p.m. today. …
A new director, Shannon Winpenny, has taken the helm of MVT’s "Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding," auditioning at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with a June 30 opening. …
Ron Bright will direct Paliku Theatre’s "The Phantom of the Opera," opening Sept. 9. Auditions for singers and actors (dancers need ballet skills) will be at 6 p.m. June 27 and 28, and youth and student participants are sought, though the minimum age is 16. Information: 235-7330. …
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.
