Show Biz
Former Islander, host of new CNN talk show
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
MEDIA MORSELS: Dalton Tanonaka, former Island newsman, is hosting CNN's newest program, the weekly "TalkAsia." Tanonaka hosts the daily "BizAsia" show for the cable network but now has launched this Larry King-type talk show for the Asia-Pacific region.
In the first month, he's chatted with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Bee Gees, the Corrs, CoCo Lee, g.o.d. (a hot South Korean boy band) and more. "Nice balance to my serious financial news chores," he says ...
Rick Davis, former publisher of Aloha magazine, is involved in the release of "iDIDit," the story of former Honolulu postal employee John Tippin, who won nearly $12 million playing Megabucks in Las Vegas in January 1996. Tippin's "15 minutes of fame" continues, since the Discovery Channel featured him recently in "Instant Millionaires" in April, and a few days back, a Japanese TV station announced plans to feature him, too. In July, Davis' Davick Publications will release a new book outlining travel deals for locals ...
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NAMES 'N' PLACES: Jeremy Dunn, 1997 Kaimuki graduate known for his football prowess here and in both Oregon and Nevada, is making his mark as an actor via an independent film called "The Truth About Men," said to be another "American Pie." Dunn also plays an accomplice on NBC TV's new summer series "Spy Television" ...
Kit Samson has been added to the growing list of performers who will participate in the memorial tribute to Francis Ruivivar, 4 p.m. Sunday at the Outrigger Waikiki Main Showroom. Martin Nievera, who grew up with Ruivivar, can't be here so will share his sentiments via videotape ...
Tenor Larry Paxton was such a popular soloist at Unity Church last Mother's Day that he was back this past Sunday for Father's Day. Next up: Diamond Head Theatre's "Cinderella," opening July 6 with a preview gala the night before ...
With Buster the Crab, the huge inflatable heralding Crabfest on its roof, Dixie Grill on Ward Avenue is attracting folks like Halekulani hula great Kanoe Miller and her husband, who were in for dinner on Tuesday to hear the blues of J.P. Smoketrain.
Hawaii Association of Broadcasters executive director Jamie Hartnett from KSSK lunched with HAB's new treasurer, Tom Herschel of KGMB TV ...
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ON THE ROAD: Jimmy Borges will be the closing act July 4 at the Del Mar Fair in San Diego, where he joins the Navy Concert Orchestra for a 40-minute tribute to Frank Sinatra. Took him two hours to peruse the contract. Hawaiian Air offered first-class fare; Jeanne Datz, corporate Hilton p.r. honcho, upgraded him to a suite at the Del Mar Hilton ...
Ku'uipo Kumukahi, this year's Female Vocalist Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, is just back from a gig in the Charles M. Schulz Theatre at Knott's Berry Farm and will appear at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, Calif., tomorrow night.
Loyal Garner, who still is recovering from medical problems, is well enough to make that Sacramento gig, too, joined by Melveen Leed ...
And that's Show Biz ...
Wayne Harada writes Show Biz every Wednesday and Friday; phone him at 525-8067, e-mail at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax at 525-8055.
