Fresh fix of ‘Five-0’

After a stretch of reruns, the "Five-0" team is back with a fresh episode at 9 p.m. tonight on KGMB. This time, McGarrett and company must unravel the mystery of why a mild-mannered sci-fi fan wearing a cape was tossed out of a high-rise window. And, egads, villain Wo Fat (played by Mark Dacascos, left) makes a return appearance. Check hono­lulu­pulse.com for "Hawaii Five-0" episode recaps by bloggers Burl Burlingame and Wendie Burbridge.

‘Hobbit’ production starts despite snags

WELLINGTON, New Zealand » Filming has started on director Peter Jackson’s production of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand.

Pre-production on the $50 million, two-movie production was plagued by problems including studio funding, a threatened actors boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson.

The director posted a studio news release on his website today saying production has commenced on the much-anticipated proj­ect.

British actor Martin Freeman stars as hobbit Bilbo Baggins alongside Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blan­chett and Orlando Bloom.The movies are based J.R.R. Tol­kien’s fantasy novel about a short, hairy-footed hero.

"The Hobbit" is a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien, which Jackson helmed to blockbuster film success.

Gay media awards note Simmons, Martin

NEW YORK » Russell Simmons, Ricky Martin and the HBO drama series "True Blood" are among this year’s recipients of media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Other winners of the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented Saturday in New York, include the NBC comedy "30 Rock" and CNN’s "Anderson Cooper 360" for its series on gay teen suicides.

Music mogul Simmons received the Excellence in Media Award.

Martin was cited for an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in which the pop singer discussed raising twin boys and his decision to come out as gay.

The Scissor Sisters were named outstanding music artists for the album "Night Work."