SHOW BIZ By
Wayne Harada
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UPDATE: This week actor Tom Selleck called, concerned about the fate of Islanders after the Oct. 15 earthquakes. "On TV, I kept seeing that Manoa house with the destroyed chimney," he said of the initial CNN coverage. Manu Bentley, wife of his makeup artist Lon Bentley (who travels with Selleck), kept them in the loop. Selleck rang from Halifax, Canada, where he is filming "Sea Change," his fourth telefeature playing Jesse Stone from the popular Robert B. Parker novels. "It's been a real successful series," said the former Hawai'i-based actor still revered for his Thomas Magnum role in "Magnum, P.I."
He misses the aloha spirit and the 'ohana surrounding the "Magnum" show. "You don't get that feeling when you're a hired gun in a one-time show," said Selleck. " 'Magnum' is probably the best job I've ever had, playing a character growing and changing and living in Hawai'i for eight years."
He's heard the rumors of a movie version of "Magnum," "so somebody owns the rights," Selleck said. Nope, he hasn't been approached, though he has his own thoughts on how a film could update the original. "What I fear is that somebody buys a TV title and then spends millions for explosions and effects," he said. "My biggest concern is the values of the show and its place in TV history. It was the No. 1 show the week we went off air."
He plays a recurring character (Ivan Tiggs) on "Boston Legal" and has three more episodes in the works. ...
NAMES 'N' PLACES: Singer Traci Toguchi is back from Los Angeles and Okinawa, where she promoted her "Feel the Breeze" CD. On her flight to Okinawa, fellow actress Tamlyn Tomita (they did "Karate Kid II" in Hawai'i with the late Pat Morita) was aboard. They hope to connect with fellow "Karate" colleague Yuji Okamoto, who operates a successful restaurant in Seattle. Toguchi also had back-to-back performances Sunday at the Sheraton Waikiki, a Hui Makaala fashion show and a Flavors of Technology event. ...
Ben Chapman, the Gillman in the classic "Creature From the Black Lagoon," is back from an appearance at San Francisco's Castro Theatre, where "I did three live TV interviews," said Chapman, who was reunited with the film's leading lady, Julie Adams (who's in an upcoming "Cold Case"). And he met and bonded with Walt Van Hauffe, longtime film publicist and a pal of ours who showed the Chapmans around. "I also visited my former school, Lowell High, the first time in 60 years," said Chapman. "It was mind-boggling; not a brick unturned."...
Congrats to Tony Ruivivar and the Society of Seven, who will be inaugurated into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars on Nov. 28. The group actually established its Vegas "fame" well before Honolulu — appearing as the Fabulous Echoes at the Thunderbird. That's where the late Ed Sullivan saw them, then booked the band on his popular Sunday night show. Nothing but raves for the act, then and now, and a star is well-deserved. Too bad there isn't a comparable recognition in Hawai'i. ...
TRADE WINDS: Greg Howell, prepping for the Nov. 15 launch of Manoa Valley Theatre's "Fully Committed," asked for a rare night off from rehearsals Sunday to see the "Thoroughly Modern Millie" finale at Diamond Head Theatre with Doug Scheer (who did the props) and Dr. Gary Johnson. But he had a dilemma: He had also promised to be at the Regal Dole Cannery Theatres for Bree Bumatai's premiere of a new Oceanic show with Stephanie Sanchez, "Tide Is High," since he did makeup. So: He saw three-fourths of "Millie," then raced to Dole Cannery for "Tide." ...
Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, who opens this year's Hana Hou! series tomorrow night at the Hawai'i Theatre, performed for a throng of 850 at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center's Spirit of Community event last Saturday at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. Sen. and Mrs. Daniel K. Akaka and Auntie Agnes Cope were honored; Melveen Leed emceed. ...
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.