Booking Hawaii Five-O: An Episode Guide and Critical History of the 1968-1980 Television Detective Series

by Karen Rhodes

On September 26, 1968, Hawaii Five-O premiered on CBS. The show's exotic locale and quality writing and acting made it a fixture in the network's line-up for the next 12 years. Today the detective series continues to be very popular in syndication.The show's history is covered first, focusing on its development and its stars. Complete casts and credits for all regulars are provided for each season; the episode guide gives the title, original air date,...

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786401710
• ISBN13: 9780786401710
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 333 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great companion to the series DVDs (at last!!)

Now that they are finally releasing the TV series on DVD (faster please!) this book is a great companion-the background stories, trivia and tidbits are terrific. It's fun watching the episodes to look for the things Ms. Rhodes mentions-the "looks", exchanges, dialogue, relationships, the music. It's also interesting to consider, as Ms Rhodes does, the issues that were raised by the series and how characters were treated, given the era and the nature of the show. There are summaries about the trials and tribulations of the series production and scheduling for each season, as well as for some significant episodes. I remember some of the episodes from my childhood but have not seen the show in decades. I'm looking forward to reading up on the episodes, then watching them as more seasons are released in the future. I enjoyed reading Ms. Rhodes opinions and commentaries and am looking forward to comparing her throughts to mine. As an episode guide the material is kind of sketchy; there is a very general description of each episode, and sometimes there are spoilers. A careful reader can intuit most of the episode plots, and there is more detailed plot information available elsewhere on-line. I wish there were more photographs, especially candid ones and better quality reproduction. I would also love more anecdotes from the set (the cast and crew "talk story") and about life in the islands during production. But then maybe someone should write a history of production and pictorial guide; this is not that book. It is an episode-by-episode critical commentary (most a page or less in length), with an introduction to each season, and information about the cast of each episode and the crew for each season.

Where's a Steve McGarrett when you need him?

Although a fan of the gritty "realism" of the current cop shows like "NYPD," "Law & Order," and the late-lamented "Homicide: Life on the Streets," I still get excited when I think about the 12 years that I spent "hooked" on the police tactics of one Steve McGarrett and his crack team of detectives. No show, before or since, had such a look and sound. The music, the scenery, the guest performers, story synopses, Jack Lord's hair, and Wo Fat are all lovingly included in this chronicle. At a little over 300 pages the book brings to the light many interesting tid-bits about the production of this long-running cop show.It is for fans and television historians that this book is intended and it does its task marvelously.A well-researched and entertaining critique!

A must read for any fan of Hawaii Five-O

I found Booking Hawaii Five-O very interesting and informative. I too wish there had been some interviews with the main actors. That would have added to the value of the book. More photos could have been used also. I liked the summary of each episode and little insights into each story and some of the actors. It is surprising that more hasn't been written about Hawaii Five-O since it was the longest running police show in TV history (12 years). Periodic reunions of the cast of Hawaii Five-O are held. The last one that I know of was in 1996 held both in Los Angeles and Honolulu. James MacArthur was in attendance at both locations as was Herman Weidemeyer and others. The reunion was open to the general public for a nominal fee. I would like to know when the next reunion is going to be. MacArthur is 58 years old and lives in Palm Desert, CA near Palm Springs. Both Jack Lord and Richard Denning died in 1998. Kam Fong who played Chin Ho still lives in Hawaii.Hawaii Five-O memorabilia can be found at Bailey's Antique Shop at 517 Kapahulu Ave Honolulu, HI.

The very best in capturing the spirit of Hawaii Five-0

I have read Karen's book Booking Hawaii Five-0 several times. To me captured the spirit of Hawaii Five-0 at its best and its worst. Her book gave me an insight to the characters and each episode was given a better meaning after watching it and reading her book. From one fan of Hawaii Five-0 I thank Karen for creating and writing this beautiful piece of work.

"Booking Five-O" is invaluable for the Five-O fan.

As a long-time fan of Steve McGarrett and his Five-O crew, I had high expectations for "Booking Hawaii Five-O." I was not disappointed. Karen Rhodes has written a well-researched history of the show and its episodes. My copy will no doubt be well-thumbed in no time.The introductory chapters are insightful, placing "Hawaii Five-O" in the context of its times and analyzing its place in the police drama genre. Introductions to each season's episodes give the reader a behind-the-scenes look. I especially enjoyed the insights into the makeup of the cast and the demographics that made the show the longest running police drama in television history. I also enjoyed the book's short essays on topics ranging from McGarrett's car to the role of food on the series. The book's usefulness as a reference guide to the show is highlighted by an extensive index.A comprehensive episode guide provides critical analysis, rather than just opinion, for each episode. Both the episode guide and the book as a whole are invaluable for the Five-O fan."Booking Hawaii Five-O" is not (I hope) the last word on the series, as "Hawaii Five-O" still awaits a splashy pictorial treatment by the commercial press. Karen Rhodes has written a long-overdue and valuable reference for fans, critics, and students of television