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Crossovers are tricky in TV land, because a story starts on one show and ends up on another, and loyal viewers must continue to watch the second show to keep up with the storyline closure.
Crossovers are tricky, but have been perfected notably with the trio of NBC’s “Chicago” TV series (“P.D.,” “Fire” and “Med”) based in the Windy City, focusing on the police, firefighters and doctors. Actors also crisscross the brand with some regularity, and the Chicago template works seamlessly.
Further, the CBS “NCIS” procedural (the original with producer-star Mark Harmon, plus “L.A.” and “New Orleans”) also has successfully utilized the crossover bridge.
CBS has continued to explore the format, too; its pair of island-based shows, “Magnum P.I.” (starring Jay Hernandez) and “Hawaii Five-0” (led by Alex O’Loughlin), just completed airing a crossover tapping the isle universe. “Five-0” also stretched the format earlier with “MacGyver” (featuring Lucas Till) plus one “NCIS” pairing. The common denominator is showrunner Peter Lenkov, who produces “Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.” and “MacGyver.”
Perhaps the latest island crossovers were stimulated by an imminent programming switch effective Feb. 7, when “MacGyver” will air at 7 p.m., “Five-0” at 8 p.m. and “Blue Bloods” at 9 p.m. Fridays. “Magnum” will be benched till the spring — allowing “MacGyver” to launch its fourth season — but will return to its 7 p.m. Friday spot. …
RAVES FOR REICHEL, HO‘OKENA
When Keali‘i Reichel guest-performed with Ho‘okena at Blue Note Hawaii in December, it was difficult to determine who was the bigger draw: the somewhat “retired” but reactivated Reichel, or the expanded reunion cast of Ho‘okena, who welcomed back Manu Boyd and William A‘arona to the roster comprised of Horace Dudoit III, Chris Kamaka and Glen Smith.
Methinks it was a draw; both acts had fans and followers who showed up in unexpected masses, filling both the 6:30 and 9 p.m. performances — generating keen interest in a hana hou at the Outrigger Waikiki showroom.
So don’t be surprised if there’s an encore or sorts, either at the same venue or elsewhere. The chemistry was keen and authentic, the response overwhelming and emphatic. Staging, however, was an issue, but it’s an easy fix. Reichel should have sung from a mic moved up to center stage, not positioned in front of the lineup of five Ho‘okena troupers hugging the stage’s back wall curtain. And because his slot was close to the windup, Reichel wasn’t in the finale, where he should have been, too, to enjoy the lively hurrahs.
However brief, Reichel’s three-song guest slot was somewhat of a trial balloon for his own showcase at Blue Note possibly this year, which would feature his hula halau. Last year, Reichel did a mini-tour of New York clubs, which evidently rekindled his desire to reboot his Hawaii shows. The venue would be an intimate showcase for his vocals and his anticipated ohana of hula troupers from his Maui halau, but Reichel could easily fill a larger hall. Of course, the alliance with Ho‘okena, currently led by Dudoit, wouldn’t hurt if the entire gang reconvenes again. …
ALL IS BRIGHT
It’s been a busy few weeks for the Bright Kids from the I’m a Bright Kid Foundation.
On Friday night, a small army of Brighters provided vocal backup for two numbers in support of Broadway and TV star Matthew Morrison’s concert at the Hawaii Theatre.
Alphabetically, the back-up crew included Darian Aquino, Bailey Barnes, Caitlin Bright, Michael Cabagbag, Miguel Cadoy III, Kainalu Durkin, Bryce-William Irvine, Madison Kusumoto, Chelsey Sagon and Kira Stone. Cadoy, a teacher at Farrington High School, served as vocal director and prepped the choir on the vocal gymnastics. …
And when “Rent” was in residency at the Blaisdell Concert Hall over the Christmas holiday, two members of the company with Hawaii ties — Joshua Tavares and Zare Anguay — led a master class on Dec. 26 at the Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center. It was an opportunity for the two singers-actors to connect with their roots; Anguay is a Bright Kid who appeared in IABK shows and was the foundation’s summer program dance instructor, Tavares, a former Big Isle performer. IABK covered the artist fees and Kaimuki provided the space, with about 40 youths attending the class and participating in a Q&A session. …
In “Rent,” Tavares was exquisite and a standout as Angel, the street performer and drag queen, and Anguay was agile and mobile as Paul, in dancing and vocals, and also played other supporting roles. …
FUNKY AND FAB
So what was the No. 1 hit song in the just-concluded decade?
According to Billboard, “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars was the past decade’s musical biggie, spending 56 weeks on the charts peaking at No. 1 on Jan. 17, 2015. It sure had the oomph and juice, to become a trademark in Mars’ concerts here and abroad. It was that first video with Mars and his Hooligans pumping out the vibes that set off the tidal wave of energy and chart supremacy. …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
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Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
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