These are anxious times for singer Duncan Kamakanaonakuahiwi Osorio, sweating it out as he awaits possible exposure on NBC’s "The Voice," where he’ll be using the name Duncan Kamakana. He auditioned. And he’s still waiting, waiting, waiting for an on-camera op.
The son of veteran entertainer/Hawaiian scholar Jon Osorio, of the former Jon and Randy duo from yesteryear, Osorio is the likable strummer-performer on those Burger King Whopper commercials, a rewrite of Sean Na‘auao‘s "Fish and Poi" hit.Club-hoppers might have encountered Osorio in gigs at The M, Bambu II and the beach cafe at Queen’s Surf. But he’s eager to add "The Voice" to his portfolio. Patience is a virtue, he’s learned. If not last week, perhaps this week? Or next? Waiting is punishingly cruel. …
HIGH FIVE: When the Honolulu Police Community Foundation honored "Hawaii Five-0" and its producer, Peter Lenkov, in a recent bash at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, the turnout included a "Five-0" "now" contingent that included Mark Dacascos, Taylor Wily, Michelle Borth, Daniel Dae Kim, Angela Laprete, Rachel Sutton, Jeff Downer and, of course, Lenkov. The "Five-0" "then" group in attendance was Al Harrington, Dennis Chun (well, he’s a now-er, too), Jimmy Borges and Kimo Kahoano. Foundation President Lee Donohue, the former police chief, plus the current chief, Louis Kealoha, presented an award to the TV show. The message sent by show creator Leonard Freeman‘s daughters Robin Freeman Bernstein, Lisa Freeman and Susan Freeman Mann, read by Jim Nabors, was a surprise for Lenkov. The message said, "Our father would shake your hand with a strength that gave both his deepest respect and love for keeping the continuity of the show’s work alive and burning brightly."
TV producer Emme Tomimbang came out of sick bay to provide an eight-minute clip from her "Hawaii Five-0 Revisited" special to bridge yesteryear with today. …
So here’s the reality: CBS last week OK’d "Five-0" for a fourth season — a hollow victory, considering the plunge in ratings and support compared with Season 1. A key reason, though not admitted by the network, was the impending TNT syndication deal; the more seasons, the more to air and share, and the better the payoff, with CBS standing to gain earnings in the mid-$2 million-plus-per-episode range, starting fall 2014. The show is struggling for viewers and critical support, so it’s time for McGarrett and Co. to clean house (dispose of unnecessary secondary characters), refocus (with tighter, brighter scripts to reclaim the "Five-0" brand) and re-emerge as a contender.With only five new episodes left to air this year, amends will have to wait till the new season. …
HOT NIGHTS: "Benise’s Nights of Fire!" has been previewing at the Magic of Polynesia Showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel the past few days. It’s a Roberts Hawaii import, featuring Roni Benise, an American guitarist known for his Spanish flamenco guitarmanship, whose artistry has been seen and heard on PBS. "Nights of Fire!" assembles salsa, tango, samba and flamenco in song and dance, leading some critics to call it the "Latin Riverdance." The 9:30 p.m. slot waspreviously occupied by chanteuse Lani Misalucha, following the magic spectacle by John Hirokawa. …
ROARIN’ RETURN: Disney’s "The Lion King," a box office monster in its 2007 debut at Blaisdell Concert Hall, is returning to Honolulu for an eight-week run starting Jan. 14.
It originally generated $45 million in spending revenue here, based on attendance of 180,000 over 13 weeks, and officials anticipate the shorter run will attract 120,000, with the multiplier factor generating $30 million for the city. Group tickets (10 or more) are on sale at the Hawaii Opera Theatre box office, so call 593-9468. Single sales won’t begin till summer. …
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.
