Rap Reiplinger is back in prime-time television, with the documentary "Rap — Hawaii’s Comic Genius," airing today on KHNL and Thanksgiving evening on KGMB.
It’s like he’s never been away, thanks to his irreverent, soul-tickling comedy, which still creeps up in our daily lives 27 years after he died. Think "Russell, you get pen?" and "Not too sweet, not too rancid, but just right."
The special by producer Phil Arnone contains classic Reiplinger routines and updated, revealing interviews with pals, colleagues, family and show biz peers. It is validation of the comic genius’ iconic star power.
Reiplinger pioneered stand-up laughter in the 1970s and ’80s with his Booga Booga trio and later as a soloist. Though he died at age 33 of substance abuse in 1984, he was a true poi dog, making localisms universal and continuing to be an entertaining resource on YouTube postings.
"He’s the greatest," says deejay-comedian Frank B. Shaner in the documentary.
"Only genius I ever worked with," says producer Jon de Mello.
"RAP — HAWAII’S COMIC GENIUS"
» 7 p.m. today, KHNL
» 7 p.m. Nov. 24, KGMB
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With Dave Lancaster, a post-Reiplinger Booga Booga performer, narrating, "Rap" offers exquisite film snippets of the Reiplinger clan.
His mom, Lila Reiplinger, was a star of the Kodak Hula Show, so the Punahou alumnus grew up in a show business climate with siblings who always performed for family and at school functions.
Arnone mines resources from the past to compile an affectionate portrait of Reiplinger, as seen through the eyes and lives ofthose he touched on a personal level. Clips of vintage characterizations created by Reiplinger, along with charming family photos, make this a particularly sentimental journey for those who grew up with his shenanigans.
But it’s also a primer for local comedy for newbies. After all, Reiplinger inspired a new generation of funny guys, like Augie T, who re-created Reiplinger’s routines to win high school talent contests.
According to the surviving Booga Booga co-creator, Ed Ka‘ahea, the bottom line with Reiplinger was "his humility." He was a nice person, despite his manic manner.
You’ll meet Gayln Akaka, who portrayed "Fate Yanagi" in Reiplinger’s parody of teenage heartbreak; you’ll learn that fellow Booga Booga founder James Grant Benton, who died in 2002, delivered the phone message to Ka‘ahea that Reiplinger had died; you’ll discover how fashion guru Amos Kotomori launched the concept of Booga Booga via a fashion show; you’ll chuckle at makeup artist Bryan Furer’s reaction when Reiplinger wanted to be made up as half man, half woman for the "Poi Dog" album cover shoot; you’ll smile at sister DeDe’s revelation of how Reiplinger found the original inspiration for his "Japanese Roll Call."
"Rap" is all about this delirious progression — from live club act to vinyl star to comedy TV sensation to still-quoted and imitated comedy legend. Three decades after making an impact, we still find hysteric laughter and charm in Reiplinger’s wit and ways.
When Reiplinger went missing in January 1984, his widow, then-KITV news reporter Leesa Clark (now Stone), and sisters DeDe and Holly scouted Maunalani, his favorite hiking destination, where his body was found.
Stone provides some of the most touching reflections of the private Reiplinger, notably how he stopped the car during drives to fetch fresh flowers for her. After his death, she ached with loneliness in her walk to work, wishing for his presence. Watch the show and discover how he connected with her.
