The disappointing performance of CBS’ "Hawaii Five-0" in its third-season launch Monday night is a wake-up for change.
The CBS procedural drew its smallest audience ever in what was the worst season launch in three years (8 million viewers), following ABC’s "Castle" (No. 1, with 11.4 million) and NBC’s "Revolution" (11 million).
Instead of more new characters this season and recurring faces from past shows, H50 should de-clutter and regroup — with scripts that play down romance in favor of action.And please — enough with Shelburne, already. Move on.
Also, get back stories off the burner and minimize soap opera tactics. Capitalize on action and drama against Hawaii’s landscape.
"Five-0" needs a quick Plan B to reshape Season 3 to reverse the low-trending, particularly since the competish boasts popular lead-in shows: "The Voice" on NBC and "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC. Restore the fervor. Give Alex O’Loughlin what audiences want: more skin, not romance.
"Five-0" will be picked up by TNT for USA-type cable syndication enjoyed by "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" and the "Law & Order" franchise, so don’t expect cancellation —yet. …
See my blog for more discussion. …
OFF THE CHAIN: Duane "Dog" Chapman will be barking after renegade fugitives again — on an unlikely cable network and with a new wrinkle.
Dog and wife Beth will help other bail bondsmen capture crooks … on CMT (Country Music Television), of all places.
The yet-unnamed reality series, the couple’s first since A&E canceled an eight-season run of"Dog the Bounty Hunter," will start filming early next year for a spring or summer launch. Initially, 10 episodes have been ordered.
Where the Chapman ohana sought out folks on the lam as part of the Chapman family bail-bond business on "Bounty Hunter," the CMT series will feature Dog and Beth as they invade "the American heartland to help fellow bail bondsmen and bounty hunters struggling with their business of catching fugitives on the lam," according to the network.
Thus, Chapman will be to CMT what Robert Irvine of "Restaurant: Impossible" is to the Food Network: He’s going to help faltering bondsmen realize their impossible schemes, sharing cuffing guidance with hunters who can’t do it without the intervention.
The Chapmans also will serve as executive producers on the series, and yes, his mullet will be intact. …
DINING OUT: When Karai Crab, the restaurant-within-a-restaurant at The Willows debuted last week, chef Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurant(s) and wife Denise Hayashi were among the early diners. Kahu Sam Kapu III gave the Hawaiian blessing. Meanwhile, the aptly named Mahi Crabbe and singer Anelaikalani provided entertainment in a next-door Willows room, while OC16’s "Pakele Live!" did a Hawaiian Fashion Week show with Missing Polynesia and Kini Zamora.On another night, crab feasters included the Daniel Dae Kim family, Justin Cruz and Kathy Muneno. …
Inspired by his Marseilles, France, birthplace, popular chef George Mavrothalassitis, aka Chef Mavro, has launched his "New Autumn Menu Saveurs" to suit the season. Why change? "You don’t live the same way during the year, you don’t wear the same clothes, you don’t go to the same places … why do you want to eat the same food?" …
DATEBOOK: "Broadway @ Paliku: 10 Years of Bright Lights," has added a lone extra performance, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Paliku Theatre, Windward Community Theatre. …
Diamond Head Theatre’s "Funny Girl" also has a one-show extension, at 4 p.m. Oct. 14. …
Must-see Cirque du Soleil "Quidam" opens Thursday at Blaisdell Arena for a run through Oct. 14. …
FINALLY: Local boy Bruno Mars‘ latest single, "Locked Out of Heaven," debuts Sunday on youtube.com/bruno. The Hooligan hits again. …
AND that’s "Show Biz." …
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Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
