As a series, "Malcolm" is very often hilarious and smart, but it's unlikely that a lot of World War II veterans, or Hawai'i residents, for that matter, will find tomorrow's episode very touching.

The storyline involves Malcolm's father Hal trying to go one up on a neighborhood rival who always seems to have the splashier holiday display.

So Hal decides to memorialize the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

That's fine. And there's nothing distasteful in the lawn displays Hal and his rival produce. But without giving too much away, things go downhill when the show turns to a squadron of pigeons for a cheap laugh.

An iffy decision by a good show ...

CHANNEL SURFING: The Internet Movie Database is reporting that John Stockwell's latest Hawai'i-based TV project, "Rocky Point," has received a two-episode script order from the WB. However, the network's publicity department wouldn't confirm this, saying that no decisions have been made about the possible mid-season show.

The pilot episode, shot on O'ahu, was completed and sent to the network for consideration last month. Executive producer Rick Dallago has said previously that there is no set timetable for a pick-up decision ...

Keep an eye out for Kristoffer Polaha ("North Shore") and Stephnie Weir ("Mad TV") on the road at this year's Honolulu Marathon.

Polaha, who has done the New York Marathon, is a familiar sight on the running routes near his Diamond Head home. Without a lot of time to prepare (he first heard about the race during an interview with The Advertiser a couple of months ago), Polaha said he plans on taking it slow and enjoying the course ...