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December 18, 2003

Hollywood goes to Hawai`i...Again

Looks like NBC may (or may not) film a cop series pilot set in Pearl City. Well at least that's what the show's "tentatively" going to be called according to a Reuters blurb. You guys back home knew about this? Personally, I'd watch it just to have glimpses of home while here in the east. I wonder if there's going to be any big named stars in it. Thoughts?

The blurb was so short I'll cut and paste it here:

NBC Says Aloha to 'Pearl City'

By Nellie Andreeva

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC is waxing up the surfboards for a cop show set in Hawaii.

Sources said the network is close to greenlighting a pilot tentatively titled "Pearl City," about a diverse team of detectives in greater Honolulu.

Also said to be close to a go is "HUB," an offbeat ensemble drama set behind the scenes at a large U.S. airport.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Posted by Sun at December 18, 2003 12:30 PM

Comments

 
Posted by Sue on December 18, 2003 6:25 PM:

I wonder if it's actually set in _the_ Pearl City, or if they just thought that was a more easily pronounceable name than Honolulu.

I'm having a hard time picturing the dinky Pearl City police station inspiring anybody to write a screenplay. ;)

 
Posted by helen on December 19, 2003 12:47 AM:

This is first I have ever heard of it but then again I am not an insider to TV production.

 
Posted by James on December 19, 2003 12:58 AM:

Why would they call it Pearl City if they are supposed to be in Honolulu? I betthe title "Pearl City" just sounds more exciting to them. It's not like they would name a show after Kaneohe or Haleiwa. Good luck to the mainland viewers trying to pronounce those two titles.

 
Posted by James on December 19, 2003 12:58 AM:

Why would they call it Pearl City if they are supposed to be in Honolulu? I bet the title "Pearl City" just sounds more exciting to them. It's not like they would name a show after Kaneohe or Haleiwa. Good luck to the mainland viewers trying to pronounce those two titles.

 
Posted by helen on December 19, 2003 1:25 AM:

Well if they set the location a few miles to the east they would be in "Aiea", that would make for an interesting name.

 
Posted by Ryan on December 19, 2003 3:16 PM:

Eh, I suppose 'Pearl City' is as good a name as any. No less odd a choice than 'One West Waikiki' at least.

Jen and I regularly brainstormed about characters and storylines should there ever be a third CBS "CSI" franchise set in Honolulu. The pickings aren't as slim as some may think!

 
Posted by helen on December 19, 2003 4:29 PM:

Wasn't "One West Waikiki" sort of a CSI type of show (and played on CBS)?

 
Posted by ZZ Type on December 20, 2003 7:37 AM:

Star-Bulletin has more info here.

"Pearl City" -- originally called "Hawaii Blue" -- is about a diverse team of detectives in Pearl City, featuring an ensemble cast.

Despite the series' name of "Pearl City," NBC has not decided where on Oahu the show would be based.

 
Posted by Linkmeister on December 21, 2003 7:46 PM:

Hey, it's Hollywood. They'll use Honolulu but say the town is "The Pearl of the Pacific" if anyone asks about the nomenclature. ;)

 
Posted by Sin on December 22, 2003 2:16 PM:

Pearl City? I wonder if they even know what that town is like? I just can't picture scenes from the tv show which have their actors cruising past the Daiei or grabbing lunch at Zippy's over there. Who knows, maybe they'll bust strippers at Electro's for one episode.

 
Posted by Ryan on December 23, 2003 7:13 AM:

Geography means nothing, if past history is any guide. No doubt they'll speed out of their HQ in Hawaii Kai onto Farrington Highway, chase a criminal over the rocky cliffs of Kaena Point to his hideout in Hau`ula, and jump the live volcano in Kipapa Gulch.

We could always use the work, don't get me wrong. But if the producer's short list of credits includes "Shasta McNasty," I'd be a little skeptical.

 
Posted by Burt on December 24, 2003 5:20 AM:

It's about time Pearl City got duly recognized by Hollywood. It doesn't matter where it is filmed at. The city name will be impressed upon America's consiousness. I can just imagine all the tourists coming to Hawaii to find Pearl City. And when they do, boy will they be surprised. Maybe they will shop at Daiei, or better yet get a tour of the bus depot. Can you imagine their delight when they find Pacific Palisades.

 
Posted by Patrick on December 30, 2003 12:43 PM:

If anyone hears of a show going please let me know.
Thanks
pb

 
Posted by Mike on December 31, 2003 5:24 PM:

I can't imagine how a show that will probably never get past production of a pilot will impress anything on America's consciousness. Hate to call you out, Burt, but I foresee another "Birds of Paradise" or "Baywatch Hawaii", if it's lucky. Not exactly riveting television.

 
Posted by Doctah on January 2, 2004 10:55 AM:

If it's any consolation, Hollywood doesn't even get its own geography right. The show "24," for example, frequently shows them managing to get from Century City to downtown in mere minutes. In reality, it would take half an hour. But the show doesn't have that kind of time.

 
Posted by Miami Vice neighbor on January 6, 2004 12:06 PM:

Hollywood doesn't get geography right, but then it usually doesn't. Miamians often laughed at the street layout on Miami Vice when it aired.

The bottom line, though. If it portrays your city in a positive way, it brings in tourism - and that means jobs and bucks.

So laugh it off, smile knowingly, and take it to the bank.

 
Posted by Bravo 353 on January 7, 2004 12:23 AM:

Nothing will come close to Hawaii 5-0, one of the great cop shows of the 70's.

Pearl City Detectives. Hmm. Is it really that interesting to portray detectives arresting ice addicts for breaking into cars only to have them sentenced to probation?

But you know the Pearl City district is one of, if not the busiest district on Oahu?

To make the show interesting, it would have to basically be set island-wide. I don't think a smart director or producer would limit themselves to only one area. We need Diamond Head AND Haleiwa in the same car chase!

10-8

 
Posted by Glen Miyashiro on January 7, 2004 2:15 PM:

I wonder exactly what "a diverse team of detectives in greater Honolulu" will look like? I'm guessing it'll be:

Who says Hollywood can't be original? :-)

 
Posted by Laura on January 8, 2004 4:22 PM:

'Casting director Jerold Franks said he's eager to put Hawai'i residents in the mix. He has a call out for actors and actresses of all ethnicities.

As many as 35 speaking roles could be cast locally, Franks said.

A young, sexy, on-the-edge male, 20 to 30, and a leading lady, 20 to 30, are being cast in Los Angeles. Casting is also under way in New York.

Franks, a former president of the Casting Society of America, said he's a supporter of nontraditional casting, and therefore is open to seeing performers who look like Camryn Manheim (of "The Practice"), as well as Paul Williams and Gwyneth Paltrow types.

Several character roles are available; types needed include a movie-star-looking type in his mid-30s; another handsome man in his early 30s; an Asian coroner; a veteran detective type in his mid-40s; an African-American, twentysomething actor with boyish, intelligent looks; a society type in her early 40s; a heavy-set Samoan type and more.

Financing is contingent on the casting of the leads, Franks said.'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

 
Posted by nitro on January 13, 2004 8:59 AM:

anyone remember the stupid series "marker" awhile back? this one won't even last as long as that one did,trust me.

 
Posted by helen on January 13, 2004 9:56 AM:

I liked Marker.

 
Posted by paka stevens on January 15, 2004 12:58 PM:

Combine Baywatch and Shasta Mcnasty, throw in stupid pidgin from the movie North Shore and that is what we will see. Stupid, mindless humor, bad haole pidgin and beautiful people with no acting ability. I dont look forward to that. How about good actors, interesting story lines and a script that is worth listening to. I need a beer!

 
Posted by helene on January 16, 2004 12:39 PM:

I liked North Shore.

 
Posted by Jelynn on January 19, 2004 10:01 AM:

I liked "North Shore". I also enjoyed "Blue Crush". I cant wait for "First Fifty Dates" to come out Feb 13 Oh and the "Big Bounce" in March. So many movies so little money. I wonder what happened to J.Loves Movie about a surfer girl who gets revenge for her bothers murder? Oh well, it sounded kinda Tuxedo anyway (raspberry).

 
Posted by ikaika on January 20, 2004 9:53 AM:

It's about time they going make one TV show in Pearl City. NAH NAH NAH jus joke

Can i be in da show?

 
Posted by Jelynn on January 24, 2004 9:03 AM:

Hi Ikaika, you should send your picture & resume to the casting agent Jerold Frank, deadline to do so is Feb 27th. Who knows you could play a young police officer or even some guy sitting in a cafe sipping coffee who gets grazed by bullets during a police shoot out. Give it a try. (("Pearl City",CSA Academy of Film & T.V., 1174 Waimanu St. Ste.-A, Hon HI. 96814))

 
Posted by Patrick on January 26, 2004 12:58 PM:

Sharif Atkins from ER and Ivan Sergei from Crossing Jordan have been selected to be involved in the pilot. Interesting so far. Looking forward to see who will be selected from Hawaii. I wonder if there will be any females as detectives. I hope so.

 
Posted by Steve on May 4, 2004 5:31 PM:

Any news if NBC has picked up the pilot yet?

 
Posted by trina on August 15, 2004 5:03 PM:

Besides the fact that I think Sharif Atkins (ER) is a very talented, and intersting actor. He also very adorable. I would love to know where I can write him?

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