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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 29, 2007

SHOW BIZ
Funnyman Ogata returns for Pipeline gig

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser
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Comedian Paul Ogata, who left our shores for fame (he's found some) and fortune (he's still waiting), returns home for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Pipeline Cafe. Kento and Dave Hisaka share the stage; tickets are $20, on sale starting this weekend through www.ticketmaster.com.

"It is my first show back home since winning the San Francisco International Comedy Competition," Ogata said of his recent brush with fame. "That win opened some doors for me in Hollywood."

Network TV types had plans for Ogata in unnamed shows, but the Writers Guild of America strike put a damper on those plans. "Hopefully, I'll get some traction again after this strike is over," Ogata said.

But he also has a movie on his plate — only sketchy details — with adult-movie stars Ron Jeremy, Tera Patrick and Marilyn Chambers. Let's hope he keeps his clothes on. ...

Ogata recently toured Seattle and connected with ex-Islander and comic Kermet Apio. Ogata said Apio is conflicted: "He's lived in Seattle for almost two decades and even attended the University of Washington. So he doesn't know who to cheer for this weekend during the UH game." ...

MOVEMENTS: Frannie Kirk, entertainment director of Outrigger Hotels, just back from a Hong Kong trip with her sons Sean and Michael, is off to Las Vegas for a fair convention, meeting up with Scott Fernandez of E.K. Fernandez shows. They'll be on the lookout for potential acts for the city's 2008 Family Festival at Ala Moana Park. "We hear there's a boxing kangaroo," she said of specialty acts of interest. ...

The Vegas trek means a reunion with the Tony Ruivivar-led Society of Seven, still a draw at the Flamingo Hotel, and Kirk will be bearing gifts. "Tony and the guys might be the first in Vegas to wear UH WAC Champions T-shirts and caps," she said of the loot she'll give the group, courtesy of Ron Lee, receivers coach for the June Jones/Colt Brennan-led University of Hawai'i Warriors team and reigning WAC champs. Lee has had a longstanding association with the SOS and the Outrigger, serving as Main Showroom manager. And Kirk plans to be home for the UH-Washington game Saturday. ...

SPEAKING OF THE SHOWROOM: The act in residence, the Richard Natto-led Society of Seven Las Vegas group, currently is on vacation, reopening Dec. 13 after minor room renovations and spruce-up, for Christmas and New Year's Eve shows. ...

SIGHT 'EMS: Jorge Garcia, Hurley on ABC's "Lost," was easily found at Army Community Theatre's "Fiddler on the Roof" last Saturday at Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter. Producer Vanita Rae Smith met him and pronounced the actor "cool in person." The show's corporate sponsors, Commercial Data Systems' Guy Merola and Mark Wong, also were in the house. ...

PGA golfer Dean Wilson, winner of the State Open Tournament, dined with his gal pal at Alan Wong's. ...

Singer Jasmine Trias did the listening while a chorus of waiters and waitresses sang "Happy Birthday" to her when she lunched recently at Alan Wong's Pineapple Room at Macy's Ala Moana. ...

Singer-actress Tia Carrere, hubby Simon Wakelin and cutie daughter Bianca were enjoying the Rell Sunn Surf Meet last weekend at Makaha. ...

KGMB-9'S Kim Gennaula and Guy Hagi brought their keiki, Luke and Alia, to lunch at Romano's Macaroni Grill. The restaurant's assistant g.m. John Langan came buy, offering the youngsters some pizza dough, which the kids fashioned into "art," then chef Michael Longworth baked 'em in the oven. Talk about a creative lunch. ...

AROUND TOWN: Peter A. Dietrich still is g.m. of the Waikiki Yacht Club. A Tuesday item about him said he was, creating an unnecessary maelstrom among the boating community. Apologies. ...

Burt T. Fujii and his fiancee, Faith Kimura, who've been together for nearly 15 years (they co-own Makiki Bake Shop and also work at Business Insurance Services) will finally get married in May or October. With help from Blake M. Nuibe, Fujii proposed to Kimura onstage at the Society of Seven show at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. "I decided it was time," said Fujii. ...

Japanese singer Agnes Kimura is visiting through Sunday, catching up with pals and making arrangements for her 2008 visits, which include bringing over a tour group in August coinciding with the 26th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival. She was the first foreign artist featured in that event in 1990. ...

Actress Gina Hiraizumi is in town to help pal Kevin Napoleon launch his debut CD, "Simply Nappy," at 11 a.m. Saturday at the HIC store at Ala Moana Center. The disc is part is an HIC Records release, as the company expands its horizons and marketing. ...

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.

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