'Moving Company' to end weekly run
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
"Hawaiian Moving Company," a Sunday night TV tradition on KGMB-9, will halt weekly production after its Feb. 29 show.
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The Emmy-winning show, created in 1978 to highlight the night- club scene in the disco era, evolved into a popular video "magazine" when the disco trend waned. It has been a resource for some of the Islands' best real-life stories, including vignettes about surfing dogs and posh residences favored by celebrities.
Michael W. Perry has been on-camera host of "Hawaiian Moving Company" for 24 years.
The show will continue with four or five specials a season, said Michael W. Perry, on-camera host and an executive producer with the series for 24 years.
"We're keeping the franchise, but this is a scale-back," said Perry. He attributed the action to the rising costs of producing the series. "But I'm happy; we're keeping the brand name, and we're going out at the top of the game, with high ratings in all our time slots."
"This was a difficult decision and one we took very seriously," said Rick Blangiardi, senior vice president and general manager of KGMB and sister-station KHON-2, in a prepared statement.
Perry estimates more than 3,000 segments have been done, now shown in five countries.
Kamasami Kong and Andy Bumatai have also been hosts in the early years.
"There's an unprecedented legacy of local talent associated with 'Hawaiian Moving Company' that starts with KGMB-9 alumni Phil Arnone (now working in Hawai'i as a freelance producer-director) and Larry Fleece (formerly of "Entertainment Tonight" and currently a producer with the syndicated "Extra" show), and includes executive producer-host Michael W. Perry (KSSK's morning drive personality) and producer-director Randy Brandt," Blangiardi said.
KGMB plans to air "Best of Hawaiian Moving Company" repeats at 10:30 p.m. Sundays after the show ends. First-run specials will be produced beginning Mar. 7.
"I'm sure we'll keep the name, so the 'Moving Company' will keep on moving," said Perry, who will be involved in the new format along with KGMB. "We'll just leave smaller footprints with the specials."
Since KGMB was acquired by Emmis Communications, which also owns Hawai'i's Fox affiliate, KHON, "Moving Company" has been shown on both stations: at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sundays on KGMB and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays (shows from the vault) on KHON.
Perry said archival footage likely will be edited and marketed to an international audience in the future.
Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.
