CBS has readjusted the premiere of “NCSI: Hawai‘i,” which now appears to be at 9 p.m. Sept. 20, following the launch at 8 p.m. of the 19th season of its hallmark “NCIS” original starring Mark Harmon.
The Hawai‘I debut of the third spin-off of the NCIS brand, following the mothership show which has been the network’s top-rated procedural for every year of its existence, appears to give the newbie a nudge in viewership and ratings. Anytime a top-tier show provides a lead-in to introduce a new member of the family, is not only smart marketing but brilliant plan to help the novice find its footing.
After all, the Pearl Harbor based series has broken a rule from past ventures. Vanessa Lachey, portraying Jane Tennant, is the series’ first woman to rule in the NCIS nest. She is also a person of color – Lachey is part Filipino – to gain inner circle diversity bragging rights.
The series has been quietly filming episodes for the launch, with the Hawai‘i show being the first to surface without the traditional pilot. This one is sailing right into the seas of residency, in a market far away from earlier shows based on the Mainland.
Though it’s been quiet on the filming front, CBS continues to name actors in recurring roles, including the latest, Enver Leif Gjokaj, playing a Navy Capt. Joe Milius, in the NCIS hierarchy. Gjokaj has appeared in Marvel’s “Agents of SHIELD” and ABC’s “The Rookies.”
His arrival, according to Variety, follows an explosive aircraft crash which he is summon to investigate. He thinks it’s no accident, Tennant believes otherwise, in the first measure of friction in paradise.
Alex Tarrant, a co-star named to play NCIS agent and local resident Kai, also is new to the cast. He looks very much like a local, but in actuality, he is a New Zealand actor-cinematographer, who has been filming “The Lord of the Rings.”
It’s curious to note that the ranks of secondary roles/actors continue to mount, with Mainland or foreign talent tapped for these characters, rather than someone who actually is a Hawaii actor and resides here.
‘Wonder’ returns this fall
“The Wonder Years” is returning to ABC, with a new wrinkle. And it’s been 30 years that the original graced those black-and-white TV screens
The reboot will feature a black cast, now set in Montgomery, Alabama, going back to the formative days with the nostalgia focusing on 12-year-old Dean, played by Elisah “EJ” Williams , with Don Cheadle providing narratives when required.
The revival is produced by “Empire” creator Lee Daniels, and one of the producers is Fred Savage, all grown up, the original Kevin Arnold, in the popular series that ran for six seasons. So he brings perspective to the new “Wonder” plate. …
Singular sensation
Diamond Head Theatre’s “A Chorus Line,” which premieres this Friday (July 16), has added a week of shows, through Aug. 8. If you want to secure seats, most of the run is sold out; at last check, best dates for ticket-buying is Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 7 at 3 p.m. Isolated single seats might also be available on other dates.
Greg Zane, who is directing and choreographing, is fine-tuning the Michael Bennett musical, an homage to those chorus liners aching to land a role in a Broadway show. It’s noted for its strategic dancing, that soul-stirring “One (Singular Sensation)” finale, a mylar-reflecting “The Music and the Mirror” dance solo by Cassie, a lead role portrayed by Kira Stone, and an emotional and explosive monologue by the Paul San Marco character, played by Dwayne Sakaguchi.
Advisory: this is a no-intermission show, so plan accordingly. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …