television Archives

Morning News in Italy

The morning news here start later than the ones in Hawaii....so while I'm going about my business in the house, I keep my ears open for the cooking/food segment besides the usual news stuff and weather report. Imagine my surprise

Liz Sladen Double

Anyone ever seen re-runs of the hokey British TV series "Dr. Who" from the 1970s? If so, you will probably remember actress Liz Sladen who played a character named Sarah Jane. Well, I lived with an exact double of Liz on Maui around the same time the series became popular on the BBC.

Who is your Late Night Host?

With all of the late night talk shows on TV these days, it's hard to settle on just one. A lot has changed over the years and the number of different shows has gotten to where you can't even count them on two hands.

So from Johnny Carson to Jimmy Kimmel who is your host?

Island Idolatry

There's no escaping it. Here in Hawaii, American Idol is everywhere. Even I've TiVo'd it in order to be able to function socially at work. Last night was a tough night for our binary star system, with both Camile Velasco and Jasmine Trias at the bottom of the heap, and with Camile sent home at the end of the night. Are you watching? What are your predictions? Just how far can Jasmine go from here?

Blood of the Samurai TV Series

It chopped it's way from theaters to television (OC16), but how does the Blood of the Samurai TV Series rate with local audiences?

The film is being praised for it's accomplishments on a shoestring budget, boasting such pretentious reviews as "Bombastic!" and even being paralleled to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill -- but, that hasn't stopped a few local residents from taking a stab or two at it. If you think my corny puns are bad, then wait'll you get a load of the unbearable stuff in Blood of the Samurai.

Regarding the movie version, locals on Amazon.com have said:

Third Watch

Is anyone a regular watcher of the NBC series Third Watch?

Fluffy TV

I admit it, I watch American Idol. Seeing three locals make it to the final 32 is awesome. I'm waiting until I see all three perform before I pick a favorite.

Considering the way the judges seemed to enjoy the Hawai'i auditions, who could blame them, I wonder if the producers are kicking themselves for not making the trip sooner. I also wonder if they'll be back next year.

But most of all, I wonder where I can find a "Big Girls Rock" t-shirt.

Average Joe Turned On Its Head

So am I the only one who noticed on the "Average Joe - Hawaii" NBC situation-reality show that their map of the Hawaiian Islands is UPSIDE-DOWN?!

On last night's "episode," a bunch of muscled hunks approaches the island of Hawaii on a yacht. They progress up the island chain, according to their map, from Kauai in the south to the Big Island in the north.

I'm sure the show's writers and producers think us a bunch of stupid "pineapples," but their use of the Hawaiian map upside down with Hawaii at the top of the chain, with South Point facing north, was just too much. I wonder if they know how stupid they look?

"Loveline"

This is what pissed me off so early this Christmas Eve. Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla have convinced me that they value radio ratings over providing a service to the teen community. What would prompt them to say such ignorant and inflammatory remarks?

Hollywood goes to Hawai`i...Again

Looks like NBC may (or may not) film a cop series pilot set in Pearl City. Well at least that's what the show's "tentatively" going to be called according to a Reuters blurb. You guys back home knew about this? Personally, I'd watch it just to have glimpses of home while here in the east. I wonder if there's going to be any big named stars in it. Thoughts?

Battlestar Galactica

For quite some time the Sci-Fi Channel has been advertising Battlestar Galactica that will debut on Monday December 8, 2003.

The Fall 2003 TV Season

Any comments about this season TV shows either new or old, broadcast or cable?

A farce to be reckoned with

The show's called Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and it plays on Bravo TV. I can't criticize the show itself until I actually watch it, but I think the premise is positively inane: a team consisting of five gay men, each with their own respectable style forte, makeover straight men -- all while chatting innocuously about how "this is horrible" and "this was so last season" when gawking at their furniture or even their closet full of clothes. If you like watching those "When Animals Attack" shows, then chances are you'll love the brute, viperous criticisms these queers dish out.

Kikaider vs Kikaida

Was channel surfing today and I ran across a show on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim called "Kikaider".

Vern Yip

Vern Yip is in town!

I woke up and opened up The Honolulu Advertiser online and learn that my favorite Trading Spaces designer is here for two book signing events. Vern Yip! He of the silken pillowcase covers and linen duvets, dragonfly motif and candle-cluster meditation spaces...and I have the weekend off!

(Damn those interisland airlines)

Funny being Asian?

This arrived today, thought some of you might be interested:

As part of our continuing efforts to identify Asian/Pacific-American actors and writers with the potential to contribute to programming on the network, PSNBC is planning to present a marathon of short, comedic one acts at the Abingdon Street Theatre October 1-5, 2003 featuring a cast of exclusively Asian/Pacific-American actors performing works written by Asian/Pacific-American actors.

Dirty Laundry

News anchor Joe Moore's play Dirty Laundry (about a newsanchor having to deal with ethical issues in the face of the demand for ratings) is similar in plot and characters to a 1986 tv movie which starred Martin Sheen. Moore admits that he borrowed a 'twist' ending from the film (adapting it to Honolulu), but says his work is original. The Advertiser article has a helpful comparison of the similarities between the two works.

Without having seen either work, it sounds to me like Moore was mostly reworking traditional elements of the journalistic drama (commiserating over drinks, heated newsroom arguments with the news director, the clash between the experienced professional and the young pretty female newcomer). It's not exactly original, but it isn't necessarily theft either.

All in Da Ohana

I'm going out on a limb here, but... do you folks remember those Andy Bumatai specials that they used to play at least once a year on TV, "All in Da Ohana" and "High School Daze" back in the 80's?

JournoAnon

Feeling run down? Lack energy? Shaky hands?

Is it Code Yellow getting to your head?

How about the SARS scare?

No? Then you must be a news junkie.

Goodbye Mr. Rogers

Fred Rogers is dead at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer. His career lasted 32 years with 1000 episodes. The sweaters are said to be knitted by his mother. But what about all those shoes? I grew up watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and always thought of it as one of my favorite childhood shows.

Did you watch Mr. Rogers? Did your kids watch Mr. Rogers?

"Smallville" a must-see tonight!

It's on Channel 5 now! Christopher Reeve tells a young Clark Kent a secret that will change his life forever.

Mid-Season Replacements

So any comments (good or bad) on the current mid-season replacements on television?

Mmm... Gummi Beers

While labels are confining and usually insulting, I'm proud to call myself a member of "Generation S." And I can't be alone. TIME magazine named it the best TV show of the 20th century. And Homer's universal expression, "D'oh," made it into the Oxford English Dictionary. "The Simpsons is the one thing that binds together everyone I know from age 16 to 32," writes David Grenier. And everyone I know was therefore very eager to read an article purporting to list the Top 25 Simpsons Epsiodes Ever in the latest Entertainment Weekly.

Are you a Simpsons fan? What are your favorite (and least favorite) episodes? What Simpsons quotes do you use in everyday life? Even my daughter says, "D'oh!" As for me, I regularly blurt, "In your face, space coyote!"

TV commercials you love to watch

While TV commercials are a necessary nuisance while watching TV, once in a great while you come across one that just makes you laugh. Granted I don't feel like going out and buying their product but at least they deserve a mention.

Sci-Fi Channel in 2003

While watching Taken on the Sci-Fi channel one can not help but wonder about watching the promos for upcoming series and mini-series coming in 2003.

I Love the Nightlife (Dave Atell Overture)

Charlie Memminger, the Star-Bulletin columnist, mentioned last week that Dave Atell is bringing Insomniac to Honolulu. Dave's advance man asked Memminger for suggestions, and Memminger passed the solicitation to his readers.

Taken

Anybody watching Taken a 10 part mini-series on the Sci-Fi channel?

What's up with the HGEA Commercials?

Does anyone know what is up with those HGEA commercials showing on Television?

You watch which?

In case you missed it, apparently KHON leads the race to quality(?) at 10:00pm, according to today's paper. The study cited can be found here. Well, maybe. I don't think the 10:00pm news is a major priority for any of the stations, and I don't quite get why that slot would be the one chosen for study; seems to me the post-drivetime news would be a better gauge.

KGMB retrospective

Did anyone see the KGMB self-documentary last night, hosted by Bob Sevey? Lots of clips of (mostly) local entertainment programs, some of which I even remembered.

Jiro...chengee...

So an exciting time has come for me as Kikaida will be coming out on DVD October 15. I just never realized that the majority of Kikaida fanaticism only existed in the Japan/Hawai`i/West Coast (?) area until yesterday. While visiting several DVD stores in Manhattan which are supposed to be "exclusive" stores for anime and Japan type show sales, I asked around to see if they were going to get the DVD. ALL of them had no idea who Kikaida was! I was truly shocked. I've resorted to asking a friend back home to buy the DVD for me.

Kikaida is now another item I've put on the list of things I miss about home. Go...go...go!

New TV Shows

This week is the start of the Fall TV season. Any comments about the new shows or the ones that are returning?

Does it Work when you go to BYU or Bust?

I understand that Lyle Galderia of KHNL, with the UH Warrior Mascot took a flight from Honolulu to Burbank on Tuesday.

American Idol

Okay, then: so it's not exactly news that I've been watching American Idol, and I'm sure there's a few of us who are just as hopelessly addicted to the show as well, for a lot of other reasons.

But nothing makes me love American Idol more than the fact that this show, more than anything else I know of in all these years that I've lived in Hawaii, has whipped up the stalwarts of Hawaii's media in such a rabid frenzy.

Not since the last episode of Seinfeld has a show inspired so many column inches of editorial space and so much worthless banter in between headlines to fill in broadcast air time.

KIKU's Japanese Soaps

True story: I was just on Fametracker when I got into a discussion about Japanese soap operas on KIKU. I started going on and on about this one Japanese soap in particular to which I got so addicted that I nearly stopped going to meetings for ASUH just so I could catch this one show, and see it till the very end.

News at Ten... Or So

After being briefly deposed by "Nintendo News" KHNL-8 (NBC) in February, Joe Moore and KHON-2 (FOX) returned this week to number one in the perennial local broadcast news wars.

Joe Moore, the 8,000-pound gorilla of Hawaii broadcast media, will probably remain at the top until he retires. A fact that some folks simply can't understand. (If I want relentless wry commentary with my news, I'll watch "The Daily Show.") He's not everyone's cup of tea, obviously.

If you had to watch the local news — I know folks who've sworn it off completely —which network or anchors would you watch? Why?

Starring... Hawaii!

Last night I, along with millions, watched ER. While it was a fine episode that evoked many tears, I particularly enjoyed the fact that it was filmed in Hawaii. I often like watching shows that feature Hawaii in either its scenery or its storyline. I miss the islands and anytime I have the chance to see a television show or a movie that has scenery from Hawaii, I do.

Say goodnight, Ally

Now this one has got to be a shocker: Ally McBeal has officially been cancelled.

Love it or hate it, you gotta admit the last five years were entertaining.

This Week in Cartoons

Um, just in case there's anyone else out there who still cares about South Park, or whatever's left of it: Oh, my God, they finally killed Kenny. You bastards.

We're on TV!

Cast and crew from the long-running NBC hit E.R. are in town this week to film footage for Anthony Edwards' final episode on the show. Since I am easily starstruck...

Go Tiny...Go go Tiny...

I was just curious about who actually watches the 9PM-10PM block on Oceanic Cable channel 16 (besides me)? I don't know the reason why TinyTV and Local Kine Grinds hold such a spell over me...

Decisions, Decisions???

Merrie Monarch Festival on KITV, or UH men's volleyball vs top ranked UCLA on KFVE? It's times like these I wish I had a VCR. Oh well, I put fresh batteries in the clicker. My thumb is going to get a workout!

The Osbournes

This show makes me fall off my chair. Has anyone seen it? It's just so demented, it's wonderful.

Small Kid Time TV

Yesterday I was browsing through Shirokiya when a very familiar song began to pipe through the store's speakers. As people may know, Kikaida is undergoing a revival of sorts. Reruns are currently being shown on KIKU, and there will be a Kikaida festival next month. This got me thinking: what are your fond memories of Small Kid Time TV? Kikaida? Checkers and Pogo? Battle Fever J? Professor Fun?