The following are archived comments from May 2009. After looking around, please add your own comments! Links back: Main Page • Discussion Forum Main Page • Discussion Forum Archives
Excuse me Chris for referring you as "that person" in a thread posted. You'd think that there are more important things in this world to worry about, don't you think? BTW, here's some advice. If you're so concerning about "etiquette" on these online comment boards, I suggest that you do NOT go to the imdb.com site, looking to discuss current popular television shows. Many people, emboldened by the anonymity that the Internet provides, can become downright rude, vulgar, and nasty in responding to threads that you might post at this site. Yes, there is such a thing as "freedom of speech". But when people start using vulgar language, I fail to understand why people who monitor these sites do not simply delete offending threads. For my final time discussing "One Big Happy Family" and the thematic mood that underlines this episode. You are entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. I am also entitled to disagree with you, and voice an opposing opinion. Let's just move on at this point!
Jeff
Durham, NC 27713 - Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 11:04:58 (PDT)
I think MOTHER'S DEADLY HELPER is worthy of *** stars - It features a fine performance by the always great Anthony Zerbe - the Season Six set is one of the best yet...:-)
Glenn
Orlando, FL USA - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 10:35:56 (PDT)
I feel as if I just walked into a novel by Franz Kafka. Months and months of posting on this site, and I'm reduced to "that person." So much for webpage etiquette.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Friday, May 29, 2009 at 05:55:34 (PDT)
Frank, Excellent comments concerning the "One Big Happy Family" discussion that has been going on for several days. I was the person who originally disagreed with the thread posted; that person stating in his belief that "One Big" could be viewed as a black comedy. I found nothing funny about the murders - as you accomplished merely for nickels and dimes. Black comedy and satire IS prevalent in the episodes that you mentioned - "Over Fifty, Steal" (the sequel with Hume Cronyon" and "I'm a Family Crook" with Andy Griffith and Joyce Van Patten, with the reasons that you articulated so well. Quite a different theme in comparison to "One Big". Just in analyzing the final two murders - when Rosalie, (the daughter-in-law) seduces the guy in the bar. Her husband, Jeb than forces the man back to his hotel room. Not only does Jeb kill him, he also brutally kills his wife just because she happened to be present in the hotel room. Black comedy? I hardly think not.
Jeff
Durham, NC 27713 - Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 16:03:05 (PDT)
One more post on this issue and then I'm done. It all depends on your definition of black comedy. I consider Psycho a black comedy of sorts, and the musical cues in that film are just as disturbing as in One Big Happy Family. On the other hand, I would say that some of the music in Family qualifies as humorous, I'm referring of course to the dissonant parody of bluegrass music that plays through parts of the episode. I wouldn't consider the other episodes mentioned, Over Fifty, Family Crook, etc., black comedies, just comedies, so I admit that the style of humor in those episodes is much different. It all comes down to semantics, I guess.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 13:44:18 (PDT)
That was Seth Sakai that was blown up and his hat floating down (from "I'm A Family Crook - Don't Shoot")...also, a great score by Morton Stevens for that episode...:-)
Glenn
Orlando, FL USA - Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 10:02:24 (PDT)
Frank, which episode had Danny Kamekona's car blow up and his hat with the red trim float by? I don't recall...
ringfire211
Philadelphia, PA USA - Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 07:16:06 (PDT)
To go back to a thread that ran a few days ago -- I would disagree that "One Big Happy Family" was intended as a black comedy, particularly having just seen "I'm a Family Crook -- Don't Shoot." The family members in the former did do some odd things -- murdering people for what amounted to nickels and dimes, and the youngest girl did steal that odd "souvenir" -- but the musical cues (e.g., the use of the "violin theme") indicates as strongly as anything that their acts were intended to be thought of as horrifying, not amusing in some twisted way. In "Family Crook," the two Hume Cronyn adventures, and the similar episode with David Wayne, all of the cues were there that they were supposed to be taken as, at bottom, black comedies -- even though "Family Crook" had a surprising amount of violence. But even then there were signatures suggesting that the violence was ultimately comic -- such as the enormous number of gunshots used to try to open the warehouse door (which then has to be broken down anyway!) or Danny Kamekona's white hat with the red trim floating gently down after his car has been blown up. It was almost like the road runner and coyote -- after the coyote lands at the bottom of the canyon, there was often something small that would drift by or happen in a kind of gentle mockery.
Frank
Ukiah, CA USA - Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 05:49:47 (PDT)
Thaniks, Nadja, I'll look into it. Also a big fan of Mother's Deadly Helper and of Zerbe's performance. Season six rules!
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 13:21:50 (PDT)
Yes, "Mother's Deadly Helper" is one of the episodes in the Season 6 DVD episode. Fantastic episode with a great performance by Mr. Zerbe! Casey Kasem ("Shaggy" from Scooby-Doo) also has a brief appearance as a talk show host interviewing Steve-0 Five-0 himself.
ringfire211
Philadelphia, PA USA - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:46:03 (PDT)
Hi: Could someone inform me as to whether or not 'Mother's Deadly Helper' is among the episoides on Volume 6? Incredibly, while in my early 20's, my family was acquainted with the makeup artist, at the time, was Keester Sweeney and through him, I was able to be on set every day for the shoot, starring veteran 'heavy' Anthony Zerbe. You couldn't meet a nicer guy. This episode marked the debut of director Douglas Green who had been an assisant director in previous seasons. Mr. Sweeney and Jack Lord were extremely close as it was Mr. Sweeney that literally made everyone look 'good'. Jack Lord literally asked Mr. Sweeney to come out of retirement to do several seasons, Mr. Sweeney having been 1 of the most reknown makeup artists back in MGM's glory days. I was even granted permission by Lord himself to take photographs (I had started a career to become a prof. photog., so I knew what I was doing). I then spent the entire shoot taking pics specifically for lLord and Green, an assignment, that by rule, would only have been allocated to an official CBS press photog. I had the time of my life. I'll end w/ an interesting piece of trivia: Jack Lord's stand-in was a woman, tall and wirey as he but it was her 'complexion' that most closely matched Lord's, extremely critical for lighting and she was chosen by Lord himself. Thanks for the space and any info on MDH.
Woody
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:15:04 (PDT)
This might helps: http://wehewehe.org/gsdl2.5/cgi-bin/hdict?e=q-0hdict--00-0-0--010---4----den--0-000lp0--1en-Zz-1-- -Zz-1-home-kanaka--00031-0000escapewin-00&a=q&d=D6820
Nadja
Berlin, - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:35:57 (PDT)
This might be a stupid question. I've noticed on episodes of Five-O that some characters use the word kanaka when referring to native Hawaiians. I was wondering, is this a derogatory term, a term of respect, or just a casual word for a group of people? Anybody know anything about the term, its origins, etc.?
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:09:56 (PDT)
Nadja, I agree with you! :-))
5-0 lighthouse
Huntington, WV USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 16:55:21 (PDT)
I just watched "Elegy In A Rain Forest". Very good episode. It's the only one I can recall that had no shots of the Five-O Office, or of McGarrett wearing a suit. There is one aspect about it though which made me think it should have been called "Mayberry Five-O". Lucien is able to handcuff his 2 hostages together. Well, where did he get the handcuffs? From the police, of course, during his violent escape. Now, the police knew all along that they were dealing with a maniacal killer, and they did have the handcuffs available. So why didn't they shackle him while he was being transported?
Tom
Plainfield, IL U.S.A. - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 16:28:41 (PDT)
....no, I didn't mean Kam Fong ;-)
Nadja
Berlin, - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 14:17:07 (PDT)
That's a problem I don't have, the hottest guy is in every ep. ;-)
Nadja
Berlin, - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 14:08:44 (PDT)
Hottest babe...I would submit that season two's "A Thousand Pardons, You're Dead" is where you would find Five-0's hottest babe of all time Barbara Luna. That "eye of the beholder " thing I guess.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 13:06:14 (PDT)
Just watched The Bansai Pipeline last night and are you kidding me... The guys blows away two surfer's right there on the beach and NO ONE sees or hears at thing ?? Then McGarrett happens to get a few cogent seconds of clear thought out of Perry King's character while they are in the critical care (presumably) unit as he is preparing for surgery, and Stev-o connects the film to his comment about scanning the beach for foxes, wherein they find the shooter on the video and can, gasp, zoom in... Too funny ! Great episode, lot's of fun if totally reaching throughout... Without question Elissa Dulce might have been the hottest babe ever to grace the Five-O screen, WOW !
GK
Millersville, PA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 12:04:58 (PDT)
Yeah, it's not the murders themselves that are funny, just the stuff that surrounds them. Like Tommy in Goodfellas mouthing off to some hood just before whacking him. Or Norman Bates watching as the car that contains his latest murder victim refuses to sink into the murk. The uncomfortable laughter comes from the dialogue and awkward situations, not the violence itself.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 09:21:20 (PDT)
I have to take Chris' side in this too. Alone the title "One Big Happy Family" indicates that this ep has a sarcastic note. And I think it is funny how the family checks into the Royal Hawaiian and how the mother ritually calls the family together and so on. All with a bitter aftertaste but that is what makes a Black Comedy.
Nadja
Berlin, - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 08:48:43 (PDT)
No, Chris. I don't think you're twisted. But I didn't care for the "humor" in the Family episode, either. That family was DEFINITELY twisted. I'm sure McG and Manicote saw that they received their just reward.
Five-0 Lover 1948
Honolulu, HI USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 08:44:47 (PDT)
Oh, come on. You don't think the dialogue and interaction among the family is funny? You don't think the effete barber telling the young woman she's "coolvilles, c, triple o, ville" is funny? Sure, it's disturbing. That's why it's BLACK comedy, not straight comedy. Maybe you don't find Goodfellas funny, either, but I think it is, I also think it was intended to be, just like Fargo, just like One Big Happy Family. On the other hand, maybe I'm just a sick, twisted individual. I'm certainly willing to entertain the possibility.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 07:49:43 (PDT)
A person recently submitted a comment with his views on the episode "One Big Happy Family". In that person's opinion, he called this episode a "Black Comedy". No offense, but this observation is totally and completely off-base. There was nothing even remotely comedic about how 6 people were murdered by members of this family during the length of this episode. It was probably the most disturbing episode during 5-0's lengthy 12 year run.
Jeff
Durham, NC USA - Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 07:22:44 (PDT)
The most likely scenario is CBS, then owner of the ep pulled it to avoid potential trouble and it was simply never reinstated to the catalogue. Current owner Paramount/Viacom now a separate entity from CBS probably doesn't even have a copy. I think its as simple as that. Kind of like the Spruce Goose, airborne once then parked forever.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 15:53:06 (PDT)
Maybe there was some financial settlement made to the family, and, in addition, they agreed to never air the episode again.
Tom
Plainfield, IL U.S.A. - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 14:49:38 (PDT)
Mr. Mike: It doesn't make sense that a family who have lost a loved one would accept an offer by CBS/Paramount to never air an episode that contributed to their loved one's death. It would make more sense to sue and get the do-re-mi. Not airing an episode means nothing when they could sue and perhaps win in court. As to why the episode isn't ever aired, who really knows...
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 14:19:21 (PDT)
The only thing I can think of is, when the matriarch counts out fifty or eighty dollars and says that's all they have left, maybe she's referring to spending money, they might have a rainy day fund stashed away in case they need to hightail it to a new location.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 13:18:07 (PDT)
Actually...in adjusted dollars it was FAR more expensive to fly back then. That family of killer hillbillies did like to cut it pretty close with the $$$. I was thinking the same thing every time the old lady made them count it. I like your idea about holding out Bored to help with season 12 DVDs. But that's probably thinking at a higher level than anybody at Paramount/Viacom.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 12:32:56 (PDT)
One question concerning Family: if they only steal one or two hundred dollars at a time, how can a family of five afford to stay in expensive hotels and fly all over Hawaii, from Oahu to the big island to Maui and then back to Oahu? Were plane fares really that much cheaper back then?
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 12:11:12 (PDT)
This is my first visit to your site after hearing about it through another Hawaii 5-0 fan. I just wanted to say that you should be commended for all of the info. that you offer concerning the history of this great television program. One could tell that you put in a great deal of effort through your research. 5 stars for everything that you provide to your website guests!
JeffL
Durham, NC USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:52:43 (PDT)
My take on Bored is like this (no one wants to talk about it as far as CBS, Paramount or Viacom are concerned): some person killed themselves using the technique depicted in the show, and their family threatened to sue ... but CBS made a counter proposal suggesting, perhaps among other things, that the episode never be shown again, EVER. I should get this lawyer fellow who is a big Five-O fan to look into this, but this might not necessarily have gotten as far as the courts. Therefore, if the episode was shown, included in the DVD sets, etc., CBS would open themselves to further litigation, even years after the fact.
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:43:41 (PDT)
Thanks for the info, Chris. Obviously, I agree that the episode should be shown. I'm not heartless but 35 years of censorship for one stupid reaction is a bit much. I can think of many other dumb things people have done after seeing them on the big and or small screen. that's why they say, "Don't try this at home, kids." I am really enjoying season 6. I had never seen the "Family" show. What a hoot! the look on McGarrett's face when they say they don't steal because the people are dead is priceless. I watched the Judy Moon episode last night. Looked up susan foster in IMDB but there's not much info. wonder whatever happened to her--she was so pretty.
Theresa
Buffalo, NY USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 09:32:59 (PDT)
Morton Stevens composed an absolutely brilliant score for "Death With Father"! Check out that trombone version of the Five-O theme about eight minutes in when McGarrett is driving over to see Cliff Morgan (Andrew Duggan), also put your ear out for that fantastic piano cue when Duggan is stealing the drugs out of the HPD property room. This episode has some genuinely chilling dialogue at the end. "No, Pop; you're coming with me."
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 06:55:57 (PDT)
Just rewatched One Big Happy Family, it struck me that this might be the only Five-O episode that qualifies as black comedy. The other comedy episodes, it seems to me, are much lighter, whereas Family is witty but at the same time unrelentingly creepy and disturbing, like Psycho, Goodfellas and the aforementioned Clockwork Orange.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 06:50:59 (PDT)
Theresa, it wasn't because of any allegedly erotic content, it was because an audience member tried the meditation technique at home and ended up dying from asphyxiation. It's still silly to withhold the episode. The movie A Clockwork Orange supposedly inspired gang violence, but you can still find the DVD at any library or video store.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 06:26:12 (PDT)
hi i am too a long time fan of the show i am looking forward to the new version of Hawaii Five 0 t but i think they should make 3 - 4 TV movies for 1 year this will allow to reach out to the audience all year round rather having the show cancel in couple of weeks (like knight rider or bionic woman)
tombo
howell, nj usa - Monday, May 25, 2009 at 06:16:30 (PDT)
Was Bud Freeman, a writer (How To Steal A Masterpiece), any relations to Leonard Freeman?
Judy Einspahr
Grand Island, NE - Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 19:10:34 (PDT)
I finally got around to watching "Bored" about a month ago. for the life of me I just don't see why it is or was censored.It didn't seem to me to me that the young man (can't remember his name) was using hanging for auto erotic purposes as much as for meditation or mental clarity purposes. I'd be very interested to see what other people think.
theresa
Buffalo, ny usa - Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 11:43:49 (PDT)
KD, I'm always here and ready to go in, but it seems things are very serious here these days ;-). I did watch "Bored she hung herself" too, but it was in a very poor quality and only worth to learn about the plot. And I don't really understand what their reasons were to hide it later on. Anyway, I bought 2 Hawaii Five-O books on ebay yesterday and I'm very curious about it ;-).
Nadja
Berlin, - Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 03:36:09 (PDT)
Have seen bored..she hung herself and frankly found it to be a very unusual episode... Sure, Jack Lord put in a fine performance, but i don't know maybe it is the copy i saw or just the premise. In essence, didn't seem like Five-O!!! Anyway, hi to Nadja and Kimo (miss ur banter...seriously, sheesh i just said that lol!)
KD McGarrett
Hawaii, Five 2.1 - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 19:39:43 (PDT)
There's nothing objectionable about Bored, unless a person is an imitative nitwit, in which case, shouldn't Fear Factor and Jackass and all those other asinine shows be censored as well? Keep the episode as is...remaster it, of course, but don't change a thing in terms of the content, and for God's sake release it! I have a feeling they're going to do what Star Trek did with the pilot episode The Cage, they saved it for the third and final season on DVD because they knew the third season isn't as popular with Trek fans and perhaps wouldn't have sold as well without this bonus. I predict that Bored She Hung Herself will be tacked onto one of the later, weaker seasons as well, probably season twelve, as a "special feature" as an enticement to fans who perhaps wouldn't have bought that season otherwise, they'll probably bill it as "the lost episode of Hawaii Five-O" even though it isn't lost, it's just in hiding.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 14:37:13 (PDT)
This is my first time posting on this site, but I've been a fan of 5-O forever, and am starting to watch all the episodes again after all these years. It seems to me that the objectionable parts of "Bored She Hung Herself" are only in the first few minutes of the show. After that, according to Mike's analysis, it apparently just becomes another ordianry episode. With this in mind (assuming I'm correct), why can't they merely digitally alter the objectionable sequences, and show the remainder of the episode as it originally aired?
Tom
Plainfield, IL U.S.A. - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 10:46:54 (PDT)
I hope when season 7 comes out that the picture on the front of the box will include both actors Al Harrington and Douglas Mossman as the were both members of the team. I believe though that Frank appeared in a few more episodes then ben that season but i am not 100% sure. I know the one episode steal now Pay later didn't have ben at all.
Stephen R. Dunn
Burt, NY United States - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 07:20:42 (PDT)
I hear that in the new series, "Chris McGarrett" has taken over Five-0 immediately after his father retires. That's a real stretch, as McG had no wife or kids at the end of the original series. I hope Ed Bernero's insistence on this doesn't tun out to be a disaster.
AJ 5-0
Rochester, NY US - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 20:07:58 (PDT)
Chain of events, the VD episode. Jay Stewart joins a growing list of Five-0 actors who checked out voluntarily. He committed suicide in 1989
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 18:18:56 (PDT)
Sorry-let me backtrack.....In an article posted August 14,2008 in the Maui News is an article that I was thinking about.Hawaii Film Commissioner Donne Dawson said: "The timing would be perfect: by 2010, Lost will be completed, and we do have tax incentives that would make productions possible." That was what I was thinking about that it would be more fesiable to wait for the tax breaks that would free up after Lost was completed.
Judy Einspahr
Grand Island, NE - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 17:42:47 (PDT)
Did you know that famed game show announcer Jay Stewart appeared in a "Five-O" episode, the #5 outing "Chain of Events," as Marty? I checked Stewart's profile on IMDB, and this apparently is the same Jay Stewart known for being Monty Hall's second banana/announcer on "Let's Make a Deal," and also announcer of "Tic Tac Dough," "The Joker's Wild," "Bullseye," and "Sale of the Century," among others.
Ben Masters
Fountain Inn, SC USA - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 15:59:53 (PDT)
Huh? It's been known for ages that Lost would continue through to 2010, finishing next year. There's no way the show could not be picked up at this point, the fans would go beserk.
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 15:29:49 (PDT)
Lost was picked up for another year. If, I remembered right-they were going to use the studio that were vacated by Lost, since they thought that Lost was not going to be in production next year.. So that maybe the hangup.
Judy Einspahr
Grand Island, NE - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 14:17:11 (PDT)
Thanks Kimo and welcome back Nadja... Personally guys, i think Five-O will happen in 2010. Ed already updated us and informed us that a script has been written and it was well received by "industry insiders" My only hope is that it gets made before some of the existing cast members leave us.
KD McGarrett
Hawaii, Five O - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 05:40:15 (PDT)
Hey KD, here I am :-) Just watched "Tricks are not treats" and I have to say the score reminds me of the Mike-Hammer-theme "Harlem Nocturne". Very interesting. I like that ep very much.
Nadja
Berlin, - Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 15:34:51 (PDT)
Guys & gals, I know I'm cluttering things up a little here, but I just want to apologize and say that first URL I pasted has nothing to do with Five-O, so don't even go there. Sheeesh..I'll come back when I figure out how to use a web browser properly!
Chris
- Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 14:22:53 (PDT)
Sorry! This one has more relevance: http://tinyurl.com/obr3k3
Chris
- Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 14:13:54 (PDT)
Five-0 Lover 1948: I noticed the same thing, and although a bit disappointed, I can't say that I'm all that surprised given the time frame. I have every confidence that Ed is going to do this thing right, and if I have to wait another year to see it, then...well..so be it. I did manage to find some interesting information in an online forum, but I don't know how relevant one could say it is. Anyway, go to the following URL and scroll half way down the page to where it says "Quote:". http://tinyurl.com/c9g5rs
Chris
- Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 14:04:09 (PDT)
Did anyone read the CBS line-up for this fall? Five-0 2.0 is not included. I'll admit I had wondered how Mr. Bernero possibly could put together a show in less than a year. It would take that long to conceptualize what the show should be, which is where he seemed to be when he asked for our help last August. Then, of course, he would need a pilot script, to cast the roles, to film the pilot, to market the pilots, etc., so forth, and so on. It seems to me (and I'm no expert, believe me!) that it would take two or three years, minimum, to put a show together. So, maybe next year??? Does anyone have information about this?
Five-0 Lover 1948
Honolulu, HI USA - Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:40:50 (PDT)
Yeap, the day was dull without MJQ's guestbook. Where's Nadja and Kimo...hahaha PS: a quick thought...Brian Krause as the new lead...? Don't know, i see a MCG intensity...most of the guys i feel don't have the right voice, they may have height but the voice is too squeaky..just a thought
KD MCGARRETT
Hawaii, Five - Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:19:42 (PDT)
Delighted and relieved that you're back. I was getting the shakes from withdrawal. This site and Terri's are daily "musts" for me.
Theresa
Buffalo, NY USA - Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 06:42:32 (PDT)
Currently enjoying Terri's Jack Lord Connection pages, if you haven't gone over there I highly suggest it a treasure trove of info.
Rob
Cincinnati, OH USA - Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 03:38:15 (PDT)
After watching Five 0 in my childhood am finaly fullfilling a lifetime dream of actualy going to Hawaii for our 25th wedding anniversary. Cant wait to visit all the sites that were featured in the best tv cop show ever. Only sad thing is that most of the actors are no longer with us but they live on for ever on the screens thanks to the dvds.
Peter
Yorkshire UK - Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:40:49 (PDT)
Glad to see that you are up and running again! Sure missed ending the day by reading the different postings!
Judy Einspahr
Grand Island, NE - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 19:50:39 (PDT)
During the guestbook issues I was getting my Five-O commentary fix from ten-year-old posts at the Mark and Julie Hawaii Five-O Guide site! Whatever happened to that page? The last comments are from around July, 2003.
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 19:37:41 (PDT)
Good job, Mike on gettng the Guest Book up and running again - BTW, Season Six has to be one of the best seasons of FIVE-0 ever - it is certainly one of my favorites, for sure...:-)
Glenn
Orlando, FL USA - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 13:33:07 (PDT)
ALOHA I AM BIASED WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A SEASON OF HAWAII FIVE - 0 IT WONT BE THE SAME WITHOUT JACK LORD, SORY IF THIS PUTS A DAMPER ON IT FOR OTHERS, THE ONLY DECNT REMAKE OF A COP FILM I HAVE SEEN IS SHAFT.AND THEY DID NOT MAKE A SEASON FROM IT & IT WAS SUCCESFUL. THE ALL NEW KNIGHT RIDER IT WILL TAKE A BIT OF GETTING USED TO. BUT IT IS ALL NEW. CHECK IT OUT. CRIMINAL MMINDS & S V U ARE BRILL. MILENNIUM WAS ALSO BRILL. PLEASE FORGIVE UPPER CASE TYPING EYE AILMENT
Martin Treacy
DUBLIN, Ireland - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:50:55 (PDT)
Hi i have all 5 seasons & season 6 is being launched in Ireland n september loking forward to it i will have all the twelve seasons that is my target, just love jack lord as McGarrett he was cool calm & collective in his 5 0 career. i regret he has passed away.
Martin Treacy
DUBLIN, Ireland - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 12:39:20 (PDT)
I already mentioned the scene from One Born being inserted into Flip Side. Don't think it's a glitch, they were just too cheap to film an original scene so they intentionally used stock footage hoping nobody would notice. Or maybe the producers had a sense of humor, they wanted people to notice, or they were trying to give the impression that both shows were happening simultaneously, who knows? By the way, I echo the sentiment that it's good to have the guestbook back.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 08:52:19 (PDT)
Welcome back. Thank God the guestbook has been restored. Kudos for such an efficient resolution... Book 'em Mike...
KD MCGarrett
Hawaii, Five 2.0 - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 08:38:03 (PDT)
About 14 minutes into Flip Side I get a quick interuption of about 3 seconds of One Born Every Minute flashed across the screen, they are driving in the convertible. Has this happened to anyone else it kinda threw me? Also in Secret Witness I discovered another glitch. When the hit man goes up to the room and shoots the husband, he has a silencer. Then he goes and looks out of the window and the silencer is gone. Although he does remove it later on (I think he puts it in his shirt pocket) he went straight to the window and it looked like he didn't have time to remove it. Finally finished all 6 discs and was highly entertained by most, the least of which were 30,000, Finishing Touch & Bomb. The formula just seemed to tucker out. I love that Elissa Dulce too, what a fox in both Nightmare & Banzai! I love it when McGarret sez 'meet me at the pipe'. As per usual some classic line deliveries throughout. Danno going 'we found the guest of honor' in Die On Time and 'you can't find him?' in Born Every Minute. When they found the guy jumped out of that window I fell on the floor. And I loved the spot break when the con man turned around and looked at that victim just before the wave. I'm long-winded but classic stuff can't wait for next season!!
Rob
Cincinnati, OH USA - Monday, May 18, 2009 at 05:54:04 (PDT)
Quote Steve D..... Apparently the family committed 125 (or 150) murders, making them the largest serial killers in U.S. history, yet only the four-strong Five-O staff seems to be tracking them. Although McGarrett calls the "FBI Bureau Chief" there is no sign of the FBI to help out and only one or two cops help Danno catch the family at the airport......(reply)...You have to understand that it was Five-0 that notice the pattern of the killings first and reported it to the FBI and they look at their files and found nothing on it..Most likley because the crimes look so peddy to the local police that they did not bother to contact the FBI for help.So there was nothing in their database that could have helped Five-0.. (Quote Steve D)The family is caught when the airport cop remembers to look for the obscure phone book page, yet failed to remember or recognize the faces from the drawings taped to his desk right in front of him (but covered by the father's clothes)....(reply) It was NOT obscure phone page it was a high price phone book cover with real gold lettering on it..... (Quote Steve D) Also, as usual, the first simple murder attracts the attention of Hawaii's elite ploice unit instead of the local cops....(reply)..The savage nature of the crime is the reason they were called in....
Leo
Philadelphia , PA USA - Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 19:27:32 (PDT)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACQ1bbKOBdc...wait for it
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 19:20:09 (PDT)
The season six DVD is very enjoyable. I watched "One Big Happy Family" last night after many years and it contains its share of questions. Apparently the family committed 125 (or 150) murders, making them the largest serial killers in U.S. history, yet only the four-strong Five-O staff seems to be tracking them. Although McGarrett calls the "FBI Bureau Chief" there is no sign of the FBI to help out and only one or two cops help Danno catch the family at the airport. The family is caught when the airport cop remembers to look for the obscure phone book page, yet failed to remember or recognize the faces from the drawings taped to his desk right in front of him (but covered by the father's clothes). Also, as usual, the first simple murder attracts the attention of Hawaii's elite ploice unit instead of the local cops.
Steve D.
Fairfax, VA USA - Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 10:32:41 (PDT)
I've seen that Five-0 layover/sci-fi type explosion take out a few choppers over the years too. Maybe the producers were ahead of the curve on environmental issues. That's actually a lame attempt at a joke but I have wondered. When they push the car over the cliff in Paniolo it jacks up the hillside big-time on the way down and ends up in the surf. I'm sure they retrieved but I gotta think they would do things differently today.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 18:07:47 (PDT)
I watched Hawaii Five-o as alittle boy as a matter of fact I just finished watching a dvd of season four five and six since yesterday and, I still love it. Even when I was in the Navy at lunch time all of us would sit in our compartment and watch it and wait for the best one liner there was and that was Book em Dano murder one. We would all jump up and say that even if he did'nt. I was truly crushed when Jack lord died and after reading his Bio being born in 1920 I really new such a talented man John Joseph Patrick Ryan aka (Jack Lord) to me was a talented giant of a man. George
George
Farmington, NH USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 18:02:57 (PDT)
GK: I don't think anyone ever got the impression you were badmouthing the show. We kid because we love (Five-O)! Mr. Mike: I've read those S12 synopses and I couldn't help but appreciate the effort that went into those reviews. I will admit a certain macabre fascination with the two twelfth season shows I have seen, "A Lion in the Streets" and "Woe to Wo Fat"; the former is oddly enjoyable!
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 11:42:06 (PDT)
Just so it's clear, I am not pissing all over the show with my critique Mr. Mike et al... One of the things I like about your "anal-ysis" is that you pick out a lot of these odd little nuances. I am sure that is a result of watching these eps over and over and over, and I simply like commenting, and or adding to them (as I mentioned the slip of the belt loop in the "Taxing" epi.) as I have been reviewing the episodes. Just fun little oddities to note, and man the boat explosion "special effect" was, well, LESS and than spcial :o) I don't want anyone misconstruing my crisiticisms and wanted to note that, as we all love the show or we certainly wouldn't be on this website or "forum". As for the show not having a decent budget, there was a pretty legit boat explosion in an earlier season (I think it was S2 or S3), that quite frankly they could have just lifted the stock footage of and it would have looked a hell of a lot more real than the cheezy sci-fi layover they used... That was just cringeworthy BAD !
GK
MIllersville, PA US - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 11:16:08 (PDT)
I think Five-O had a pretty limited budget for special effects and stuff like that. They used very few process shots (where the street behind the car is like a projected background, for example) ... this is one of the things that makes the show appealing. As far as Anyone Can Build a Bomb is concerned, I will probably downgrade this to 1/2 star ... this show is totally cretinous. Oh yeah, Steven, if you want a few more laughs, check out the anal-yses of Season 12 shows!
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 10:28:55 (PDT)
GK: For what it's worth, the car explosion in "The $100,000 Nickel" was impressive, and this occured after it was driven into the surf! A fun episode, and had Five-O premiered in 1965, Victor Buono would have played Wo Fat!
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 08:37:00 (PDT)
I watched "One Big Happy Family" again last night and the ending has to be the most chilling in the history of the show! I love Barbara Baxley's explanation to McGarrett for the murders & robberies: "They wasn't kin. It don't count with strangers" and "It ain't stealin' if they was dead first". Classic! And McGarrett's horrified expression to that statement - priceless!
ringfire211
Philadelphia, PA USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 06:27:23 (PDT)
Wow, having not seen many of the Season 6 episodes in my youth or when they were in syndication years ago, I was watching Uncle Kevin Must Die and was literally gobsmacked by the boat explosion at the beginning of this episode. That was the lamest thing I have ever seen in my life ! This show had to have had a pretty large budget compared to most other contemporary series' back then, and I get not wanting to blow up a really nice pleasure craft like that, but c'mon... You can't tell me they couldn't have taken an older junker out there, blown it up, and done some sort of edit (like they do with the race car and helicopter - which is a small plane I believe) instead of making some "horrible" special effect layover that is supposed to "look like" and explosion. It looked worse than some of those horrible cheesy effects on the Satruday cartoon shows like Land of the Lost and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters... Pretty good episode otherwise, but that specific scene had me cringing !!!
GK
Millersville, PA US - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 06:02:35 (PDT)
Just watched "Anyone can Build a Bomb" and it was Terrible. I must say that it is one of the worst episodes of the first 6 seasons. I think the only episode that was worse was "To hell with Babe Ruth". In no way did this episode make any sense at all and not to mention it had no believeablity. A total waste of 50 minutes, that I won't get back. Mr Mike, you should change this from one STAR to the Middle finger...I am now dumber for having watched this...I could go on about this but there is NO point
B-Rock
Philadelphia, PA USA - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 at 05:16:45 (PDT)
I always found season 10's "When Does a War End?" one of the better episodes of that season. Also, I don't recall the acting of David Dukes or Anne Francis particularly bad either. Though I do recall Dukes crouching at the end with gun in hand (looking a bit constipated) but then again he was supposed to be "troubled" and so his behavior is understandable.
ringfire211
Philadelphia, PA USA - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 07:37:04 (PDT)
Mr. Mike: Speaking of "anal-ysis", when you get around to revising season 10, please don't change a word in your review of "When Does a War End?" I find it to be the funniest thing you've ever written! I haven't seen that episode, but your review actually makes me look forward to seeing it!
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 03:34:54 (PDT)
Referring to Leonard Freemans dead. I guess the making of season 6 was already finished by then. Only the air date of #138 and #139 was in January 1974.
Nadja
Berlin, - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 23:34:41 (PDT)
At the end of Charter For Death, could it be Beau Van Den Ecker inside the helicopter trying to pull in Bert Convy?
DJ
North Liberty, IA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 21:04:30 (PDT)
I'm not going to say that Hawaii Five-O jumped the shark in season 6 but there were signs that the powerboat was getting gassed up. The end of the $100,000 Nickel, which was a pretty shaky show to begin with, ends with a lame magic trick. Damien is a murderer and McGarrett is reaching behind his ear to retrieve a nickel? Back in Season 2, for example, he'd be rushing out of his car, pushing him against the hood with his trademark snarl and then saying Book im Danno, without the witticisms. Yuck!
drogers
somerville, ma United States of America - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 18:48:19 (PDT)
Leonard Freeman died on 20 January 1974 from complications connected with heart surgery. This was between shows 138 and 139 in season six, and close to the end of the season.
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 17:41:54 (PDT)
One of the best shows ever.
Tom Leland
Moore, SC USA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 16:17:38 (PDT)
Re comments about The Lord's taking over during Season 6, I thought that Leonard Freeman died of a heart attack during Season 5. This left Jack Lord essentially in charge of the show, as he had some kind of monster contract (he had a lawyer, not an agent, so you can imagine how his negotiations went!)
Lena
Calgary, AB Cda - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 15:12:09 (PDT)
One more note. Here's Mr. Mike's page with information about the VHS release in 1998: http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/columbia-house.htm
Chris
- Monday, May 04, 2009 at 13:58:36 (PDT)
Yes, it is a legitimate release, along with several other episodes on video tape a few years back. You can read about them here: http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/columbia-house.htm. As far as I recall, there is nothing different about this tape compared to the version shown on TV, aside from a lot of print damage in the Columbia House version. I'm surprised that Viacom, who have bitched a lot about stuff they own being uploaded to YouTube, haven't done anything about this.
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 13:55:44 (PDT)
Rob, that's legit. Columbia House released several episodes on VHS quite a while back. They were packaged as "The Collector's Edition" but I don't think there was anything special about them (e.g. deleted scenes, special features, etc.) Here's a pic of the box: http://tinyurl.com/crer7o
Chris
- Monday, May 04, 2009 at 13:52:39 (PDT)
What's this Nine Dragons The Collector's Edition from Columbia House someone has plastered all over youtube? Is it a legitimate release and if so, does it include scenes not seen in the television version?
Rob
Cincy, OH USA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 11:45:07 (PDT)
When did McGarrett suddenly start having "brainstorms", a.k.a. "McGarrett is far too clever," according to me? I recall in that stupid episode Here Today, Gone Tonight, he has a brainstorm when some guy mixes up his car for McGarrett's, therefore McG thinks "Hmmm, maybe there was a 'double' house which was used to fool Danno," etc., etc. Then in the sixth season, he has a brainstorm when he is in the barber shop and figures out the gimmick with the Judy Moon case. And another brainstorm in the Bullet for El Diablo episode, where there is another "double" situation produced by two girls fathered by the evil dictator. (This episode leaves a lot to be desired [revised anal-ysis is pending], because the two women are like identical twins, due to the fact they are played by the same actress -- DUH!!) It's almost as if the writers were too lazy to figure out some plots where the Five-O team actually solved the case on their own (though there are also several "cerebral" cases like Try to Die on Time which really tax your brain!).
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 11:36:26 (PDT)
Yes when I saw the end of Sunday Torch it took me a second viewing to totally get it. Even then I said no way did they even try to go there with it, it's preposterous. They did try to give you a little nuaunce when the guy told Steve he never met a man who loved his work so much, I think McGarrett keyed on that statement and banked on it to help him nab the guy. But still preposterous, he gambled and it paid off. I love the way he often will key in on little stuff the other guys miss and use that police genious to solve crime. Still waiting on blockbuster to send out discs 4 and 5.
rob
Cincy, OH USA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 08:58:23 (PDT)
Mr. Mike I think I noticed a funny "goof" in Murder is a Taxing Affair, for your "notes" on each epi. Watch the scene where Cavel strangles the stewardess in the shower again... Looks, very obviously I might add, that the belt loop he wraps around her neck to strangle her comes undone and he (Cavel) does his level best to salvage the scene by reaching around her back to grab the loose end and make it look legit, but fails miserably... Must have had a tight time frame and couldn't or didn't want to bother reshooting the scene... Gotta love those stock footage shots as well. When Cavel takes "the bait" in Steve-O's office by looking at the passenger list, the footage of Danno and Steve leaving the office to follow him is obviously from Season 1 (I think) as is the "tailing" of Cavel section - as you noted in your "anal-ysis" - how cheezy! I never understood this, were their budgets that freakin' tight that they constantly reused stock footage that showed obvious changes in the characters ages and looks ?? I find it odd based on Lord's supposed intensity and desire "to get it right" ...
GK
Millersville, PA US - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:17:49 (PDT)
Posted...Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:10:57(PDT)...Just clearing up an incorrect assumption on my part.
Rick
Newport Beach , CA USA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 06:03:03 (PDT)
Regarding the packaging, sure, it is kind of cheap-looking, but as long as the seasons come out at a pretty fast rate it's something I'm willing to put up with. A better idea might have been to have an iconic image from the credits adorning the cover of each box, season one, the wave, season two, the police siren, season three, the boatmen, season four, the hula dancer's hiney, etc., etc. But as I said before, as long as we get the episodes, and in good condition, that's the most important thing.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 05:44:05 (PDT)
Douglas: Yessir, I would dare say that's true based on the many accounts that I've read from people who worked with him. Allen "Kimo" "Five-O" St. James: On behalf of all the rest of us fans, thanks so much for doing this! It would be awesome if Ed got in touch with him and they worked something out for the new series. In the meantime, back to the cab, bud. There's bills to be paid :-)
Chris
- Monday, May 04, 2009 at 03:47:13 (PDT)
I spoke with Henry Kapono today- he has not had the Hawaii Five-0 theme song in his regular weekly show at Dukes Outrigger Canoe club for some time, although he did show some interest in preforming it again. Let's see if he revives it.... maybe Ed Bernero would like to contact Henry himself about doing the new 5-0 theme songs if it all comes together. I know that if Henry Kapono's band plays it or just about anything else-it will be great.... The place was rockin this afternoon.... great show- FREE- Sunday's a few hours before sunset beachside at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel
Five-0
Honolulu, Hi - Monday, May 04, 2009 at 01:30:12 (PDT)
[QUOTE]I think whoever is in charge of designing these DVD cases/artwork needs to get a clue. I say that a person who works on these things MUST be a fan of the show! Otherwise, the product looks sloppy and just thrown-together at the last minute. First of all, it has always bothered me when the artwork features images from the wrong seasons. But that's an old gripe of mine (one that we probably can't do much about anyway). Anyway, the thing that really threw me off with this release is while reading the episode synopses on the back of the DVD cases, I noticed that for the episode "Death With Father" it says... Guest Starring George Kennedy. Now anyone who has watched this show knows that "THE" GEORGE KENNEDY (Oscar-winning actor) has never guest-starred on this show. The George Kennedy that did guest star was a minor player who guest-starred in a few other episodes (IN MINOR ROLES!!!) including "Draw Me a Killer" where he played the murdered lawyer John G. Lott. Mentioning this George Kennedy in the synopses is ridiculous - I wonder if they just watched the end credits and said... "Ooooo... look! George Kennedy!" without even bothering to check whether it is THE George Kennedy. ringfire211 Philadelphia, PA USA - Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 07:45:17 (PDT)[/QUOTE] Its has since been corrected I just my copy from "Best Buy" and George Kennedy's name has been removed from the synopses..
Leo
Phiadelphia, PA USA - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 18:50:56 (PDT)
Is it true that Jack Lord, who played McGarrett, had a bad temper?
Douglas Cotant
SALT LAKE CITY, UT USA - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 15:56:27 (PDT)
I agree, according to my memories, season seven is another strong season, perhaps not on the level of 3-6, but that's a tough act to follow. I'm looking forward to seeing it again, to see if it lives up to my recollections, or even exceeds them. Standout episodes for me are Bones of Contention and Diary of a Gun, which was inventive enough to inspire a whole series produced by Robert Altman. I hope we get it sooner than October, but six months isn't the end of the world.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 09:29:45 (PDT)
Thanks Chris, I found out that he did some parts for Magnum P.I. later on but not much more. I can imagine him in the new show too and he could be really a good counselor since he most likely breathed in the H50 spirit.
Nadja
Berlin, - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 08:42:51 (PDT)
I wouldn't put too much store in some of the ratings which I have given many of the shows, since many of those ratings were done almost 15 years ago. As I watch many of the episodes on DVD, I have revised the ratings, usually upwards. I really don't think that season 6 is the "beginning of the end," though! There are plenty of good shows in the seventh season, for example: I'll Kill 'Em Again (one of Five-O's wackiest bad guys, Eddie Josephs); We Hang Our Own; How to Steal a Masterpiece (a real tear-jerker at the end); Welcome to Our Branch Office (the entire Five-O team duplicated); Presenting ... In the Center Ring ... Murder (Wo Fat is back!); and lots more.
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 07:20:05 (PDT)
Nadja: Good question about Remi Abellira. I did some research and discovered that he still resides in Honolulu, and he's associated with a couple of organizations: "Revival Christian Fellowship" and "Native Hawaiian Coalition". That's about all I could gather. Hint to Ed: Wouldn't it be great to see him again in the new series!
Chris
- Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 03:50:31 (PDT)
When I think of Duke telling McG "The ho's are back on the stroll" from Tricks/Treats I can't help but laugh out loud. I have NEVER figured out what is going on with the mysterious night-hunter-rifle/scope-buyer, double-cross-hit-the-hit-man-at-dinner, thing! I would love to have that explained to me. But I love that ep.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 21:34:18 (PDT)
Yeah, I think season six might be my favorite, even though seasons three and four each have a larger number of what I would deem four star episodes. This might be a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. There's just something about season six, an apparent desire to up the edgy, disturbing factor of the show, and edgy and disturbing is totally "coolsville" (to quote the hairdresser in One Big Happy Family, a season six highlight) in my book. By the way, while we're on the subject of season six's greatness, two stars for Motrher's Deadly Helper? Where's the love? This is a classic as far as I'm concerned. The actor playing the psycho gives a great, gum-chewing performance. Love the scene in the arcade where he takes advantage of the kid's token to do some shooting of his own. And the beginning, when he shoots the crook, drives off and we see his bumpersticker, Support Your Local Police. Great stuff. I'm assuming, because Five-O was generally ahead of its time in dealing with contemporary issues, that this was one of the first shows to feature that type of character. As for Killer At Sea, a pretty good episode that could have been much better. It's fairly predictable, and doesn't live up to its great premise. Probably should have been a two-parter. That would have given them a chance to introduce more potential suspects amid the passengers, and maybe even include an ongoing flirtation between McGarrett or Danno and the foxy reporter. Not sure why they opted to make it a single show, since fifty minutes isn't nearly enough time to do justice to the intriguing concept.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 16:42:36 (PDT)
Just watched "Wait until Uncle Kevin dies" and I was wondering what happened to Remi Abellira, that little boy who practically grows up with H50. I guess he could tell a lot about what was going on at that time. Does anybody know something about him?
Nadja
Berlin, - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 14:34:10 (PDT)
Steven, that's a good point. I never even thought of it. I always remembered how they added "Starring Jack Lord" in the end credits at the start of season 6. But for some odd reason I never connected this with Lenny Freeman's departure and THE LORD'S complete takeover. Seems pretty obvious now. You'll also notice that this is the first season where Jack begins to direct. He directed "Death With Father" and continued directing 1 episode every season from here on out. By the way, I think his best was "The Bells Toll at Noon" from season 9 (guest-starring Rich Little). Lord's yearning to direct (be in control) was evident from the very beginning in season 1 when he insisted on "directing the directors". This caused some of the season 1 directors never to came back after that season because they found it difficult working with THE LORD. He insisted on telling them what/how to do things. He really did want to have a hand in every aspect of the show. As for his directing skill, "The Bells Toll at Noon" is really the only one of his that I liked. I have yet to see "Death With Father" on DVD but remember it being just okay last time I saw it - admittedly, that was some time ago.
ringfire211
Philadelphia, PA USA - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 14:15:10 (PDT)
Watching 'Murder is a Taxing Affair' was fine right up until the end when McGarrett steps out of the helicopter and is sportiong one of the most horrendous hats known to man. Interestingly, I have an AVI file of a recording from UK breakfast show, 'The Big Breakfast' from 1997 in which James McArthur talks about Jack Lord's hair, to quote, "his (Lord's hair) would always go outta place, we got outta helicopters and things like that, his hair looked like an egg beater had done it". So now you know the reason Lord commited this fashion faux pas - literally to keep his unkept mop under control! Mike, you're welcome to the AVI file if you want to include it on your site, its 200mb in size though - its an irreverent interview lasting about 7 minutes.
Steve
UK - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 14:11:28 (PDT)
RE: Leonard Freeman Influence-- I'll just throw this out and see what you think: Perhaps Mr. Freeman's influence was already in decline by season six, and Jack Lord's power was growing. Take a look at how the end credits now read: "Hawaii Five-O Starring Jack Lord" As if we didn't know already! Why credit Jack again at episode's end? Because he's the guy in charge. It's a possibility, isn't it? Or was it just a gesture on Freeman's part to placate Jack?
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Saturday, May 02, 2009 at 08:20:09 (PDT)
That's a great question. How much of a direct influence did Leonard Freeman have on season six? Don't know if it can be answered. By the way, Mikes *system rates season 6 the best. I think it beats season 1 by a half*. Season 4 is lowest *rated of DVD's released so far.
Rick
Newport Beach, CA USA - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 21:16:38 (PDT)
What was the "gestation" period of a 5-O episode? How many of the Season 6 episodes were on the drawing board while Mr. Freeman was still at the helm, the year before in Season 5. Did JL "luck out" and walk into the near-perfect situation? Or are we collectively digging season 6 because we all are dreading the drop-off in quality that supposedly commences with Season 7? This is the first DVD release I am watching from start to finish, and I must say each episode does not let up. It all shot with urgency, which was 5-O's trademark and what they did best. I with Mr. Mike, this turning out to being an impressive season indeed!
DeliWaiter
Palm Springs, CA USA - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 16:48:11 (PDT)
The sixth season is certainly a high point for the musical underscore! Morton Stevens and Richard Shores are working wonders!
Steven
Miami, Fl USA - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 13:37:47 (PDT)
Exciting news. As others have mentioned, one of the shows strongest features was Steve McGarrett's uncompromising moral certainty. A man of principal, who obiviously put together a well chosen team. That was another glue, a unit who knew they could rely on each other, and who gave to the job 110%. The appeal of the storylines revolved around this unity. The tales however, were very well told and relayed in very high production values and good filming. A magical package! Hawaii was perhaps the ultimate star for many of us. Especially, if like me, you spend half the year in gloves, muffler, warm coat and boots. But it's the beauty of the islands which makes the heart sing. I'd think that with the new series release on DVD, fans, and fans in the making, will have their appetites whetted for new return trips to Hawaii 5-0.
Jane
Oxford, England - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 10:28:37 (PDT)
Yeah, you are right, the ending of The Sunday Torch is totally stupid. The Lyle Bettger character says that the torch is "on his way to the airport," yet McGarrett manages to not only figure out which road the guy is taking (presumably there is more than one), but manages to get the fire department to set up this scam and himself arrives at the scene prior to the torch so he can nab the guy! As far as the opals making noise in Flash of Color is concerned, is there actually some noise on the soundtrack (I don't recall this)? They are opals, after all ... not like something much larger and metallic which you would expect to make "noise." If the opals are buried in the stuffing for the animal, wouldn't they be more likely NOT to make noise? The beginning of Death with Father IS totally creepy, you first see the two guys with gas masks in an out of focus closeup, which makes them look like they came from Mars or something. This episode has a very good score by Morton Stevens. I am beginning to think that the sixth season is one of the very best (if not the best) despite its faults!
Mr. Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 10:02:53 (PDT)
Regarding the Synopsis of Flash of Color..Ben realizes there are Opals in the Bear when he throws it on the chair and hears the Opals clang together. This is the reason he cuts open the Bear. Also, Willis obviously has a relationship with Webber. He may have provided Webber with Franks or vice Versa. I imagine he was going to get a cut once the Opals were sold.
B-Rock
Philadelphia, PA USA - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 08:56:46 (PDT)
Thank you for all the staff who created and got Hawaii Five O on TV. I still at 48 years young love that theme song, which brought back some very special childhood moments. The actors introduced law and order and a beautiful state. I wish everyone wellness and success! My sister had a crush on Jack Lord and we still laugh about it today! BRAVO! Kayt
Kayt Goudie
Edmonton, AB Canada - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 07:16:59 (PDT)
In The Sunday Torch I had to laugh out loud at the ending. How rediculously absurd was it to "stage" a fire that Steve--O "knew" would entice the real pyro to get off the highway and potentially miss his flight for, so that he could ensnare him ? Just knit-picking here of course, but after watching these last 5 seasons it never really occurred to me at the time, but a lot of 5-0 endings were pretty "time condensed" (as you so succinctly put it Mr. Mike) in terms of their authenticity and believability. Still, love this show, no matter what, but the ending to The Sunday Torch was beyond absurd !
GK
Millersville, PA US - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:53:02 (PDT)
Re Death With Father, maybe Duggan's character wanted to die, or didn't care one way or the other, he realized he'd done nothing but let his son down since day one and found the idea of the two of them going up in flames together poetic and appealing. Just a theory. This is my favorite season six episode, one of my favorites of the series, I remember seeing it when I was fairly young and the ending gave me chills, I remembered how it ended when I watched it again so it didn't have quite the same impact, but I still found it very powerful. I compliment Jack Lord on his directing skills. The first scene is fairly creepy, with the surreal-looking masks and the disorienting music. This episode is proof that after six seasons Five-O had lost none of its edge, in fact it was edgier than ever.
Chris
Columbus, OH USA - Friday, May 01, 2009 at 06:01:29 (PDT)
Links back: Main Page • Discussion Forum Main Page • Discussion Forum Archives