The crossover shows between “Hawaii Five-0” and “NCIS: Los Angeles” — on CBS’ slate on Mondays and Tuesdays, respectively — enabled the L.A. show to pull a 3.0 rating among adults 18 through 49 on Tuesday (May 1) better than “Five-0’s” Monday (May 30) showing, which gave the Island show a 2.5 rating in the same demos.
The “NCIS” draw was better than that of “Five-0,” which means Scott Caan (Danny Williams) and Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly) fared better in Lala Land than in their own paradise. The “NCIS” numbers held steady; for our homegrown effort, it was a 25 per cent hike from three weeks ago.
There was that bromance thing in the Tuesday show, with Danno and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) going at each other’s hairstyles.
The crossover centered on a potential smallpox outbreak, which started in paradise and expanded to greater L.A., enabling the Island pair first-time entrée into NCIS’ coveted headquarters — the first non-regulars to infiltrate the facilities, according the diminutive Hetty (Linda Hunt).
So the bottom line: Since the pairings appeared to work with positive results — and, without the presence of Alex O’Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), who returns from rehab for the two final shows May 7 and 14 — the imminent question is: Will there be a hana hou in season three? An encore seems inevitable, though another thought might be a crossover with the mothership “NCIS,” featuring Mark Harmon (Leroy Gethro Gibbs), the No. 1-rated procedural on TV.
Hmmmmm.

CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0’s” crossover segment Monday (April 30), with the “NCIS: Los Angeles” guest stars, topped the coveted 18 to 48 adults demo with a 2.5 rating in the 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Mainland) hour.
But the special show, linked to the “NCIS: L.A.’s” concluding second-parter Tuesday (May 1), didn’t overwhelm the viewership.
While “Five-0” led the demos, ABC’s “Castle,” perhaps with its “Dancing With the Stars” lead-in, had slightly more viewers — 11.38 million vs. 10.76 million for “Five-0.” The adults 18 to 48 demo was 2.4 for “Castle.”
The “Five-0” episode, “Pa Make Loa,” about the perils of a possible epidemic, featured “NCIS: L’s” LL Cool J (Sam Hanna ) and Chris O’Donnell (C. Callen) in the crossover tie-in, the first part setting up the problem with the potential peril in the Islands, and continuing storyline on “NCIS” featuring “Five-0’s” Scott Caan (Danny Williams) and Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly) guest-starring.
Kim subbed for Alex O’Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), the head of “Five-0,” who was on a real medical leave when both crossover shows were filmed here and in L.A. but mentioned, in context of the show, that he was in Japan pursuing the Shelburne element with Terry O’Quinn (Joe White) that has been a disappointing and, well, dull thread this season.
Compared to the most recent first-run episode (last April 9), the Island procedural was up 4 percent in viewers since that newbie, but has been plagued with reruns the past few weeks. “Castle,” its most threatening competition, was up 14 per cent from its last new segment (April 16).
So what do you think of the crossover this time? It worked, for the most part, but didn’t attract an astounding response, in viewership. There wasn't a widespread buzz about it; perhaps if CBS made a big deal about O'Loughlin's absense, coupled with hard-news update on his condition and upcoming return to the air as the show winds up season two, might have sparked wider interest.
The most effective element of the preposterous outbreak of smallpox was the realistic, bubbling-red skin of affected victims. Surely, in real life, this kind of potential epidemic would be very rare, even in the post-AIDs and post-SARS scares of the distant past. So, hats off to the makeup techies who created that deathly façade.
Of course, there had to be some see-sawing quibble, best exemplified with Danno and Sam in hot pursuit of the baddies — with Sam assuming the McG role of shooting off rockets to Danno. Oh, bromance, you live.
To see what unveils when Danno and Chin Ho go to the City of Angels to complete the crossover bridge, tune in Tuesday to “NCIS: L.A.”

It’s a big week — and month — for CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0.”
As the Island-based “Five-0” winds up its sophomore season May 14, a two-part crossover special with “NCIS: Los Angeles” begins Monday (April 30), with two stars from the L.A.-based procedural guest-starring in Hawaii. Then on Tuesday (May 1), two principals from “Five-0” appear in the continuing story arc set in Los Angeles.
The logical question: Is a tidal wave of enthusiastic interest in the offing?
On May 7, Alex O’Loughlin (Steve McGarrett) should return after his rehab from prescription meds due to a shoulder injury ... leading to the grand finale on May 14, when his arch rival, Mark Dacascos (Wo Fat) also reappears, and one series regular meeting his/her demise.
Welcome to the May sweeps of the Nielsen TV ratings. The crossover might be just what the doctor ordered for "Five-0," which could use a booster shot more than "NCIS."
The crossover should give “Five-0” a thrust in ratings and perhaps new appeal and respect. L.A. Special Agents LL Cool J (Sam Hanna) and Chris O’Donnell (G. Callen) are in the Islands in “Pa Make Loa,” Hawaiian for “Touch of Death,” as part of a collaborative special force (also featuring Scott Caan as Danny Williams and Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho Kelly) to pursue a suspect on the verge of releasing a deadly virus that threatens the population.
Remember, O’Loughlin was on medical leave when these episodes were shot, so if he appears on the show at all, it might have been a specially-taped clip or a flashback. He’s not on the “NCIS” follow-up Tuesday, which is L.A.-based, completing the search for the culprit that’s up to no good.
Both segments are authored by Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, with R. Scott Gemill contributing to the L.A. show, but different directors were at the helms: Bryan Spicer for the Hawaii show, Tony Wharmby for the L.A. conclusion.
It will be interesting to see how the crossovers play out. There can’t be the usual bromance between McGarrett and Danno, but Sam and Callan do a bit of this kind of give-and-take — surely, this element travels to Hawaii. When Danno and Chin Ho venture to the City of Angels, they can’t realistically engage in the kind of McG-Danno friction.
Will the "feel" be more "NCIS" than "Five-0"? Or complementary flavors, depending on the segments? Do viewers like crossovers, or will they watch the one show they're already partial to?
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
With “NCIS: L.A.” prevailing as the No. 2 procedural (the original, “NCIS” starring Mark Harmon (agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his crew, is consistently No. 1 with as many as 22.7 million viewers a week), some audience crossover is guaranteed, hopefully creating a tsunami of viewers for both the Monday and Tuesday shows.
Danno and Chin Ho engaging in crime-solving, not just with Sam and Callen but with the other “NCIS” team members Daniela Ruah (agent Kensi Blye) and Eric Christian Olsen (LAPD detective Marty Deeks), should create some fireworks and trigger high energy.
And with Sam and Callan in the Island segment, there can’t be much residue of usual recurring story ticks (think Shelburne) that simply diluted and numbed interest in “Five-0” this season.
So what do you expect on the Richter scale?
A co-star in this two-parter surely will be the makeup team: Great job in visually capturing the nastiness of a yucky virus.
So: Here’s a toast for a grand finish.
Lots to watch, soak in, observe, cheer and comment on, in the next few days and weeks.

Led by Island super strummer Jake Shimabukuro, a “Go for Da Record... Hana Hou!” event, from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday (April 28), will attempt to assemble the most ukulele players to break a Guinness World Book Record now held by Sweden.
Sweden?
The amassing of uke players — young, old, beginning, advance, amateur, professional — should be an easy thing in Hawaii. Who doesn’t pluck and jam at backyard luaus, birthday parties, office parties and simply for recreation?
Heck, if everyone who ever took lessons at Roy Sakumua’ Ukulele Studio over the decades show up, Hawaii should earn the crown.
The target: Well more than 1,500 strummers.
The key time: 7 p.m. Saturday, at Blaisell Arena.
From 4 p.m., a variety of ukulele-related events and displays will held — workshops, mini-concerts, vendor tables, and more.
Hawaii is making a second attempt to break the record set by Sweden last Aug. 20.
And Hawaii even has a theme song for this effort, “1, 2, 3 ... Go Da Record,” composed by Shimabukuro and featured on this campaign’s website.
But just don’t show up; you need to register at http://gofordarecord.org.
The event will raise funds for the Music for Life Foundation, to raise awareness and support of the critcal cut in funding for arts program and schools.

Speaking of Jake:
• He is one of several Island entertainers (others include Nathan Aweau, Kupaoa, Sean Na’auao, Jerry Santos and Yoza) performing at a Mele Mei 2012 luncheon event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday (April 27) at The Willows restaurant. It’s a Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts presentation, celebrating a series of music events in the weeks ahead, culminating in the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards May 27 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Admission: $60, includes buffet and entertainment ($52 HARA members). Information: www.melemei.com, www.nahokumusicfestival.com.
• He takes the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday (April 29) at Bishop Museum, in a “Taste of the National Hawaii” program benefitting the Hawaii Food Bank and ‘Aina in the Schools (a Kokua Hawaii Foundation program). Also featured: food and wine tastings, with such participants as
Alan Wong from Alan Wong’s, Darren Demaya from Kai Market, Isamu Goto from Morimoto Waikiki and many more. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. Details: http://hawaiitaste.org.

Scott Caan, the Emmy-nominated Danny “Danno” Williams on CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0,” will spend his summer vacation co-starring in “No Way Around But Through,” a play he wrote, in its world premiere June 3 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, Calif.
Falcon and The Mineral Theater Company are presenting the romantic comedy, directed by Val Lauren, featuring Caan (“Five-0,” “Entourage”) as Jacob, who discovers his girlfriend Holly (Robyn Cohen, “Gravity,” “The Life Aquatic”) might be pregnant. So he draws his pal Frank (director Lauren, “24,” “Make It or Break”) into his realm of chaos.
The cast also includes Lainie Kazan (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Desperate Housewives”) as Lulu, Jacob’s mother, and (Bre Blair, “Make It or Break,” “NCIS”) as Holly’s friend Rachel.
Previews will be June 1 and 2, with the premiere at 7 p.m. June 3. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays through July 8.
With "Five-0" already wrapping up season two filming in Hawaii, Caan is the first to unveil his off-season summer vacation plans.