‘Hawaii Five-0’ is still hot on the case
Published 12:00 am Monday, September 24, 2018
- From left, Beulah Koale, Meaghan Rath, Chi McBride, Scott Caan, Alex O’Loughlin, Ian Anthony Dale and Jorge Garcia star in “Hawaii Five-0.” The CBS reboot of the original series begins its ninth season in its traditional Friday night slot on Sept. 28.(Courtesy photo)
Q: I have not noticed any promotions for “Hawaii Five-0” for the coming season. Has it been canceled?
— Sue Alderman, Niles, Ohio
A: Far from it. The Alex O’Loughlin-starring CBS reboot of the police drama starts its ninth season in its traditional Friday slot Sept. 28. In fact, that night’s entire lineup on the network remains as it’s been the past two years, with “MacGyver” starting the evening and “Blue Bloods” ending it.
One thing you can expect at some point is a crossover story that links “Five-0” to another CBS revival for the new season, “Magnum P.I.” Not only do the two shows share a genre and Hawaiian filming locations, but they also have some of the same production personnel, particularly executive producer Peter M. Lenkov (who developed both series for their present-day incarnations).
Q: When will “Star Trek: Discovery” be back?
— Peter Gill, via email
A: As this was being written, an exact Season 2 premiere date had yet to be set, though CBS All Access was saying “early 2019.” When the show does return, it will have a very significant addition to its roster of characters … the one and only Spock, to be played by Ethan Peck, grandson of the legendary actor-producer Gregory Peck.
The show’s new round also will see another character iconic in “Star Trek” history come aboard: Capt. Christopher Pike, commander of the starship Enterprise before James Kirk. That role will be assumed by “Hell on Wheels” alum Anson Mount. The first season of “Star Trek: Discovery” — most of which will be new to those who don’t subscribe to CBS All Access (except possibly for the pilot, which also was broadcast on the parent CBS) — will be available on home video Nov. 13.
Q: I saw Sugarland announce the CMA Award nominations on “Good Morning America,” and I know they’re nominees themselves. Does this mean the act is back together for good?
— Amanda Tracy, Norman, Oklahoma
A: It’s hard to predict the future — especially when Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush already have gone their separate ways once — but at least for the time being, the duo is making music together again.
Not that CMA wins this year would prolong that for them necessarily, but as the saying goes, it couldn’t hurt. Whether they win for best vocal duo and/or best video of the year will be revealed when the event is televised Nov. 14 on ABC.
Q: What is the next live musical that will be done for television?
— Sally Brewer, Reading, Pennsylvania
A: Two are on tap for the coming season. Fox has a production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rent” scheduled for Jan. 27, and with its serious themes, winter seems like an appropriate time to mount that particular show. Marc Platt, who was an executive producer of “Grease Live” and “A Christmas Story Live” for Fox, will be back in that job.
Then, NBC has a rendering of “Hair” slated for May 19. It will be the first of that network’s live musicals of recent years to be done without executive producer Craig Zadan, who passed away during the summer, though his longtime creative partner Neil Meron remains very much involved in the project. Interestingly, Diana Paulus — who directed a Tony-winning 2009 revival of “Hair” — will be the stage director for the television version.
Q: I hear that Jennifer Carpenter of “Dexter” is doing a new series. When will it be on?
— Paul Sullivan, via email
A: “The Enemy Within” is slated as a midseason offering on NBC, with Carpenter playing an ex-CIA agent now imprisoned for traitorous activities. In a premise with echoes of the movie “The Rock,” she’s released into the custody of a skeptical FBI man (Morris Chestnut) to help in the search for a felon she’s very familiar with. Raza Jaffrey (“Code Black,” “Smash”) also is in the cast.
Q: I love watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers when Turner Classic Movies shows their films. How many did they make together?
— Carolyn Pearl, Port St. Lucie, Florida
A: A total of 10. They were “Flying Down to Rio” (1933),”The Gay Divorcee” (1034), “Roberta” (1935), “Top Hat” (1935), “Follow the Fleet” (1936), “Swing Time” (1936, “Shall We Dance” (1937), “Carefree” (1938), “The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle” (1939) and — the only movie they made together that was in color, and that they didn’t do for RKO Radio Pictures — “The Barkleys of Broadway” (1949).