TUBE TALK: Kevin Yamada, an Isle actor now based in Philadelphia, is co-host of the "Sunny Side Up Show." It's part of PBS Kids Sprout, a 24/7 channel for preschoolers. Yamada co-stars with Kelly Vrooman and a chicken puppet named Chica, who uses a kazoo to communicate. Localites have seen Yamada in numerous local stage productions. In Philly, he hosted another Sprout program, "The Birthday Show," before getting this gig. Time Warner has committed to pick up "Sunny Side Up," and he hopes Oceanic here will join the markets airing the show, so his kinfolk can see what he's doing. ...

Yamada has also finished his first-ever film, "Old Dogs," in New York. He plays a Japanese businessman. The film stars John Travolta, Kelly Preston and Robin Williams. ...

Its production schedule may be in jeopardy because of the Hollywood writers' strike, but the Hawai'i-based "Lost" show has introduced (not yet publicly, but on the set) a new cast member. She is Kiwi stuntwoman Zoe Bell, who was the stunt double for Lucy Lawless on "Xena: Warrior Princess" and also for Uma Thurman in "Kill Bill 1 and 2" ...

AROUND TOWN: William Daquioag, a member of the Society of Seven Las Vegas and an earlier mentor for "American Idol" finalist Jasmine Trias, has an "other" life as a vocal coach and music teacher. His Performing Artist Academy, originally in Waipahu, recently moved to the Kapolei Business Park and has seen tremendous growth, with 300 students and 12 instructors. A grand opening was held last weekend. ...

Orchids and congrats to Connie M. Florez, Island filmmaker, who was one of five winners of the Women in Film & General Motors' 2007 Acceleration Grant for Emerging Filmmakers, which recognizes achievement in under-represented communities.

Florez is a director of film programming for the annual Honolulu Gay and Lesbian Cultural Foundation and the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival and has been a film and TV industry producer for a decade.

Florez recently completed "All for Melissa" and is also known for her documentary, "The Glades Project," which examined the transgender phenom in Hawai'i in the '60s, '70s and '80s. ...

Friends and neighbors of Jim Nabors gathered at the Hawai'i Theatre to honor the veteran trouper, star of the now-pau "A Merry Christmas With Friends and Nabors" (which last year ended a 10-year run at the theater). They wanted to properly thank him for his kokua.

The assembled included folks who've had a lasting relationship with Nabors' holiday jewel: singer Jimmy Borges and wife Vicki, singers Guy Merola and Emma Veary, Chuck Anctil of The Company Singers, Carolee Nishii of Hula Hui O Kapunahala O Nu'uanu, Matt Catingub and wife Vicki, set designer Wally White, director John Rampage and show producer and Hawai'i Theatre artistic director Burton White.

An era has ended, and a new one begins this holiday, when The Brothers Cazimero embark on a new series of yuletide shows Dec. 21-23 at the Hawai'i Theatre. ...

HOLIDAY CHEER: Ho'okena's Christmas special will have two parts on Dec. 16: a luncheon event at 10:30 a.m. and a dinner presentation at 5:30 p.m. at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel.

Chris Kamaka, Glen Smith, Horace Dudoit, Manu Boyd and dancer Nani Dudoit will unleash their brand of Hawaiian and holiday faves. A special guest will be the Barefoot Native himself, Willie K, and that means you can expect the guest star to share "O Holy Night" with all its chicken-skin thrills. the luncheon show with buffet is $50 adults, $25 keiki 4 to 11; the dinner buffet is $65 and $32.50 for keiki. Call 955-4811. ...

Keith Haugen's "Peace on Earth" Christmas concert, set for 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at Kapi'olani Park Bandstand, is shaping up as a biggie. His son's group, Stanton Haugen and The Thursday Night Band, will provide big-band music, featuring singers Jamie Uchima, Noelani Kanoho Mahoe and Al Waterson (who'll double as emcee). The father-and-son slack-key and 'ukulele duo of Dennis and David Kamakahi also will perform, along with Mel Murata and the Keiki Palaka Band, uke player Bryan Tolentino, pakini bass master Frank Uehara, country singer Don "Geezer" Humphrey, singer Allison Chu (backed by Al Kaai and Art Kalahiki), the Carmen Haugen Quartet with pianist Ron Miyashiro, and other surprise troupers. And it's free. ...

SHORT TAKES: Out Lahaina way, The Barefoot Natives (Willie K and Eric Gilliom) now do a Maui wowie — a Sunday fun fest at 6:30 p.m. in the " 'Ulalena" theater, where they create their own eruption. Call 808-856-7974. ...

Congrats to Chef George Mavrothalassitis, whose Chef Mavro restaurant was the only Hawai'i eatery on Gayot's Top 40 U.S. best roster. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.