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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 26, 2008

SHOW BIZ
'Laugh-In' alums lunch on the Big Isle

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Columnist

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It's been a great season for star-gazing. Over on the Big Island, there was a "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In" reunion, which was private — but probably was "verrrry interesting." Arte Johnson, one of the show's original stars (remember his Germanic character and his "verrrry interesting" utterance?), was holidaying with his wife, Gisela, at the Kona Village resort. They've been regulars since they married and honeymooned there 40 years ago. When Johnson learned that "Laugh-In" cast mate Goldie Hawn, that dizzy sweetheart in those offbeat comedy-sketch show, was visiting with significant other Kurt Russell, he invited them over for lunch. And laughs, no doubt. ...

In Honolulu, "Entourage" star Jeremy Piven dined at Hoku's last weekend during his stay at The Kahala Hotel & Resort. ...

The Kahala also has had "name" houseguests over the past few weeks: "Lost" actor Dominic Monaghan, actresses Christina Ricci and Drew Barrymore, and actors Kevin James and Adam Sandler. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer also was ensconced there. ...

Chopsticking at Benihana of Tokyo at the Hilton Hawaiian Village: David Beckham and Cobi Jones, plus teammates of the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, here for the Pan Pacific Championships at Aloha Stadium. ...

AROUND TOWN: Phil Nakayama, hairdresser to the stars, got Sting to sign a vintage T-shirt dating back to a 1983 visit when he acquired the shirt. Happened backstage at The Police's Feb. 16 concert at Blaisdell Arena. "The shirt had his photo on the front and his name Sting on the back, and he was impressed I still had it, because it's no longer available ... a collector's item," said Nakayama, who brought the T-shirt for me to see. It was scribbled, "To Phil, Sting." Nakayama also had Lionel Richie do the same thing — sign a shirt after a long wait between concerts. Better late than never. ...

The upscale Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co.-Hawaii in Waikiki will mark its first anniversary with motocross celeb and partner Carey Hart, who will be on hand for autographs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 1. "We are glad to be in Hawai'i," Hart says. "Our upscale atmosphere draws in the tourists as well as the locals." No doubt his presence makes a diff. Hart, of course, was married to pop star Pink. There's a VIP party that evening (from 9 p.m. to midnight) at the Lotus Soundbar for invitees as well as the general public. ...

PERSONALITIES: Homegrown superstar Bette Midler, who opened last week at Caesars Palace, has a great three-page "My Life in Pictures" spread in the new People magazine. One vintage photo of note, devoid of divineness: her bespectacled pose, in skirt, sweater and tennies, from her Radford High School (class of 1963) era, and this quote: "I was the president of the class, but they tried to impeach me. That was my last foray into politics." ...

Chris Lee, the movie producer ("Valkyrie" with Tom Cruise is next) and chairman of the Hawai'i Film Academy at the University of Hawai'i, caught a preview of the aforementioned Midler's "The Showgirl Must Go On" spectacle in Vegas last week, and opined, "It's a spectacular two hours and gives Hawai'i folk one more reason to come to Vegas! If we can't get Bette to come home and perform, having her for playing 100 days a year on the 'ninth island' is not a bad substitute." Indeed. ...

Look for Tony Conjugacion on "Na Mele: Traditions in Hawaiian Song," at 7:30 p.m. March 10 on PBS Hawaii. He features Aaron J. Sala, Jeff Au Hoy, Danny Kiaha and Dwight Kanae in a kanikapila with his Halau Na Wainohia. ...

Opera singer Audrey Luna's links to Hawai'i go well beyond her stage roles. She makes her debut as Juliet in Hawaii Opera Theatre's "Romeo & Juliet," the last of three productions, launching Friday night at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Possibly the role she cherishes most these days is her engagement to Jordan Shanahan, a baritone born and raised in Kailua. He launched his opera career at HOT's Mae Zenke Orvis Studio program, last appeared in "The Mikado" here, and this year is doing two Metropolitan Opera productions in New York. Shanahan's mother, Sarah, is a longtime backstage volunteer with the opera company. ...

TROCKS ROCK: "Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo," the all-male ballet troupe known for its faithful and funny versions of classic dance, drew packed houses at the Hawai'i Theatre recently. Since it's likely more difficult to do parody than straight-on dancing en pointe, these guys were remarkable, robust and resourceful, hairy chests and all. If you missed 'em, catch 'em the next time. The acclaim is deserved. ...

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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