For those who feel that nostalgic ache for classics like "Checkers and Pogo," "Filipino Fiesta" or "50th State Wrestling," there is relief every Saturday afternoon on KWHE Channel 14.

Hawai'i TV Bowling has actually been around for 15 years. Scot and Glen and a bunch of guys who all seem to be named Darryl tape the shows at the various local bowling alleys. The program features qualifying rounds leading up to the big championship game where the winner gets a trophy from the Clock and Trophy Shop and a bowling ball with a cool name like Columbia Alter Ego or Brunswick Intense Inferno.

It's one of those rare instances where you don't have to know the game to enjoy the fun.

"Roy is like a vicious animal right now," says commentator Scot Mitamura, the Leahey of the lanes. "He saw the wound. He smelled the blood."

Mitamura, with the fringe of his Layton Aliviado-esque hair resting on the collar of his trademark black blazer with 'ilima lei, is instantly likable. When he's not at the lanes making fun of his own bowling or dogging co-producer Glen Azumi, he's raising orchids. He's witty and familiar and unaffected by the whole TV thing.

"I would rather do a better job on the other side of the mike than do a good job on this side of the mike," he says, grumbling again about his allegedly terrible game.

"You do a good job on this side," co-host Shirley Kato says.

"So hard," he answers. "I can't swear. That's hard for me. Try ask Darlene."

Even the commercials are gems.

There's King's Disposal, No. 1 for all your disposal needs. The ad shows a bright pink and lavender 'opala truck.

Or Valve Service and Supply, for all your valve and pipe needs.

Amy's WORLD Travel, specializing in tours to the Neighbor Islands and Vegas (who needs the world when you can see Hilo or Vegas, no?)

A jewelry store that lists the items for purchase, starting with "anklets."

Each show ends with a raffle segment. Scot and the tournament champion pull lucky numbers from a rotating wire drum. The bowlers, too cool to use their full names, come up with hip abbreviations.

"The winner is ... Ben D.C."

"Ben D.C?"

"Ben D.C., it says."

"Oh, BEN! D.C. for Dela Cruz."

The prizes are things like a bamboo cutting board made out of bamboo (as Scot puts it), a ball/shoe freshener, a half-hour massage from Roz Okubo of Peace Within, a bag of furikake potato chips from Kona or a Storm bowling ball of choice.

"And the winner is ... Pete ESP! Pete ESP?? Oh, Pete Espinda!"

As winners are called, Scot good-naturedly hassles each one, grumbling that he himself never wins anything, either from the raffle bucket or on the lanes.

"You have to be a gracious loser," Shirley tells him.

He responds a deadpan, "Why?"

Indeed, Scot, don't change a thing. The show is so real, so itself, so completely unaware of fakery and flash and outsider-looking-in misperceptions. Don't ever change ... but maybe a "Best of" boxed set for the holidays?

"He'll now move on and face the always-dangerous Darryl Okamoto in the finals," Scot says.

Classic.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.