StarBulletin.com

Comic pair go from YouTube to big screen


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POSTED: Friday, November 07, 2008

YouTube phenoms Ryan Higa and Sean Fujiyoshi, now famous simply as “;Ryan and Sean,”; will have the opportunity tomorrow to meet and greet their legions of fans (and we mean legions: their comedic online videos have drawn more than 150 million views). Their appearance is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Restaurant Row Theatres, prior to the 4 p.m. premiere of “;Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent Adventure.”; Another showing follows at 6 p.m. Yes, the Hilo boys have gone from making videos after school to starring in a feature film with a theatrical release.

It started when a 10-year-old “;Ryan and Sean”; fan showed his movie producer father a YouTube posting. Soon afterward, the feature film was in production. Check out a behind-the- scenes video on (of course) YouTube. Two million other people already have. The PG-rated movie opens in theaters around the country for a limited run, and the DVD will follow Dec. 15 ...

  If you caught Pat Sajak and Vanna White on “;Wheel of Fortune”; Wednesday night, you probably agree that it was a nice plug for Hawaii, with lots of scenic HVCB shots in the 20-second opening montage. The game show, filmed on a set near the water at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, featured a sunset, hula dancers and tiki torches at the beginning of the show. A map of the Hawaiian islands decorated the rug, and Pat and Vanna even got leis!

Once the Big Island and Oahu contestants started rolling (or shall we say, spinning), the background often shifted to views of the ocean or palm trees projected onto a screen behind them. Phony, but still pleasant. As a bonus, the show incorporated island pastimes into some of the word puzzles, such as “;Swimming with dolphins.”;

Big Island resident Mark Droscoski walked away with $41,450. Stephanie Kagawa, also of the Big Island, and Nancy McKee of Kaneohe did well, too—especially Nancy, who gets to leave a home state most viewers dream of visiting and go on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

  When we last saw Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight children (twins and sextuplets), they were heading for the airport in a bus. The next episode of “;Jon and Kate Plus 8”; follows the family of 10 to the Grand Wailea on Maui Monday night on TLC (Oceanic channel 71; digital 331). They get lessons in hula and lei-making, take cooking classes, go snorkeling and enjoy a luau.

Maybe not so exciting for Jon, who hails from Hawaii, but it should give another strong public relations boost to the state. The following week, Jon and Kate renew their vows on the Valley Isle—something they probably need to do weekly as the parents of sextuplets. But watching them manage the chaos—and manage they do—is nothing short of fascinating.

  Can't catch every Ocean Paddler episode (even though it airs every day)? Not to worry. The OC16 show has launched a new Web site, giving you the opportunity to watch previous shows and videos from its sister television show, “;Hawaiian Extreme Sports.”; The underwater and aerial shots during races such as the Na Wahine O Ke Kai, as well as insight from some of the most experienced water people in the world, make the shows worthwhile viewing. Check it out at www.oceanpaddler.tv.