SHOW BIZ
Checker, over-produced Jackson make weekend lively
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor
WEEKEND WRAP: With Janet Jackson getting nasty Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, in a concert taped for a "live" HBO telecast Sunday, and Chubby Checker, Yvonne Elliman and Dee Dee Sharp twisting down memory lane Sunday night at Blaisdell Arena, it was a frenetic musical weekend. (OK, Kenny Rankin was waxing romantic, too, at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hawaii, but we couldn't make that gig.)
The Jackson outing was really two shows; one, the onstage performance, boasting spectacle but sacrificing intimacy, championing big production values at the risk of losing emotional detail; the other, that HBO taping business, with not-so-invisible cameras above, in the back, everywhere, somewhat of a curiosity. In the final take, the TV show was better than the in-person one, inasmuch as you got the closeups without the beer-juggling, aisle-dancing crush of the crowd; you got the backstage peeks of Jackson changing between songs; and other extras, like the darting glimpse of, ahem, a nipple in the pre-show North Shore "color" footage intending to sell Hawai'i as a travel destination, featuring Jackson in scanty attire. The diva does deliver, but at the expense of overblown "production." Her tryst with a gent from the crowd, wherein he was strapped to a contraption and his groin rubbed, was an effective tease, a vicarious fantasy moment for all the testosterone in the crowd. But in the long run, less is better. A quiet solo without the hysteria would have been welcome, enabling Jackson to strut her stuff and show off her pipes. ...
On the other hand, Checker was like an impressive human jukebox, remarkably accessible and agile, parlaying "The Twist" into a crowd-pleasing participatory gem. Like the Energizer Bunny, he pumped out a nonstop volley of his other dance hits ("The Pony," "The Fly," "The Hucklebuck," "Limbo Rock," etc.) as well as the songbook of everyone from Fats Domino to The Beatles, inviting his fans to sing along. He also ventured into the crowd to collect hugs, leis, kisses and even gave a woman a belly rub. He had young and old alike clapping along; the two dance floors were filled with bobbing, twisting bodies. And it was a historic moment when Checker hauled up Sharp to revive their "Slow Twistin'" duet.
Elliman had the hometown audience rooting for her, and so many of her friends, family and ex-Roosevelt classmates made it a reunion she'll not soon forget. With age, her "I Don't Know How to Love Him" hit has taken on a deeper resonance and more power. ...
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CALENDAR CUES: The First Annual Hawaiian 105 KINE Lu'au is set for March 23, with Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, The Brothers Cazimero and the Makaha Sons among the performers. Details are forthcoming. ...
Paul Ogata, the comedian-deejay, is back from his California honeymoon — and got to sub for Jay Leno. No, not on the "Tonight" show, but at Leno's regular Sunday gig at the Hermosa Beach Comedy Club, where he was accompanied by Howie Mandel. Mandel, a recent Hawai'i performer, introduced Ogata to the management team of Chris Rock, so things may be happening down the line. Ogata needs to complete a fresh video demo, so one will be taped in a show at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) this Saturday at Wave Waikiki. Kehau Lee will be the opening act. Tickets: $10. ...
Remember when we told you Melveen Leed was diversifying? Add a new line of fragrance, called "Manoa," to her Da Tita's list of accomplishments. She introduces the scent, along with an art piece designed on a Tahitian pareu, at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at Chai's Island Bistro. Chai Chaowasaree will provide pupu at the no-host cocktail reception and Lee will sing, along with other guest performers. ...
And that's Show Biz. ...
Wayne Harada's Show Biz runs Wednesdays and Sundays. He can be reached by e-mail to wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, phoned at 525-8067 or faxed at 525-8055.
