Posted on: Friday, December 14, 2001
Show Biz
We may have seen last of 'Friends and Nabors'
Show Biz
By Wayne Harada
STREET TALK: Early buzz is that Jim Nabors is "retiring" his annual "A Merry Christmas with Friends and Nabors" concert — so this year's (already pau) may have been the last. Golleee, say it isn't so, Jim. That would be very sad, since his is the best holiday refreshment in Honolulu, having evolved into a tradition after just five years ...
Diamond Head Theatre's "Annie" is doing great business, with optimism and enthusiasm to spare in its performance and in storyline. A collar-less stray mutt showed up opening night, and director John Rampage and dog trainer Wendy Mah (involved in handling the dog role of Sandy, enacted by a dog named Hoku in the musical), had quite a time getting the pooch into DHT managing director Deena Dray's car. En route to a cast party at Big City Diner, the dog was dropped off at the Humane Society, but it was later learned that it was just a neighborhood pet that probably wanted to be an understudy ...
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WHEE, THE PEOPLE: It was a tad odd to see Joan Lunden, former "Good Morning America" host and now with A & E, sitting at the Halekulani's House Without a Key instead of on her perch "Behind Closed Doors." Lunden, in town for the live telecast of the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, was soaking up the music of The Islanders (Alan Akaka, Sonny Kamahele, Gary Keawe Aiko) and the Aloha Serenaders (Harold Hakuole, Helene Woodward, Lem Aweau) ...
Jim Lapidus, the designer associated with the Fox-TV hit, "24," on a Hawai'i hiatus for the next few days (the show is on Christmas break), said his "Secret Santa" in a cast party was Daniel Bess, the local actor who has a recurring role on the hit show. Bess showered Lapidus with Hawaiiana stuff, largely through his connections with his publishing dad, Ben "Buddy" Bess of Bess Press ...
Tina Wesson, who survived the Australian Outback on CBS' "Survivor II," survived last weekend's Honolulu Marathon, too. The winner of $1 million (from "SII") stopped by the KSSK Perry & Price show at the Sheraton Waikiki's Hanohano Room and was asked by the radio duo if becoming an instant millionaire changed her life. She said $470,000 of the loot went to Uncle Sam and much of the rest to paying bills ...
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NAMES 'N' FACES: Tom Moffatt, who is presenting Howie Mandel in a series of year-end shows, was tickled when the comic, guesting on "Live With Regis and Kelly Show," plugged his Royal Hawaiian and Westin Maui playdates ...
Looks like the Garrison Keillor "Prairie Home Companion" shows — two sell-outs, both on Jan. 5, at the Hawai'i Theatre — will boast some local entertainment.
A Web site notes that performers will include George Kahumoku Jr. and Ledward Ka'apana, with more to be named. The event is a benefit for Hawai'i Public Radio ...
Frank DeLima provided lots of laughs, and eight Maui chefs whipped out the kaukau, at the annual Taste of Morrad last Saturday at the Maui Ocean Center. Despite blustery weather, 700 guests showed up to help raise $6,000 for local charities. Morrad is one of Maui's largest food-service distributors ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Fridays; reach him at 525-8067, e-mail at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055 ...
