MAGAZINE Lost alum Jorge Garcia CONFIDENTIAL talks about joining By MIKE COHEN Hawaii Five-0 cast

When the fifth season of Hawaii Five-0 school classmate who proved to be a valu- On Once Upon a Time, another popular begins Friday night, September 25 (9 able asset to unit boss Steve McGarrett series in which storybook characters p.m.) on Global TV and CBS, Jorge Garcia (Alex O’Loughlin). come to life, he played the Giant at the joins the cast as a full-time member in “When I did three episodes in a row last top of Jack’s Beanstock in three episodes. the role of conspiracy theorist Jerry January, that is when it seemed like a seed That series too has former Lost writers. Ortega. was being planted,” said Garcia, who “That was lots of fun,” he said. “It is Garcia is best known for playing Hurley completed his Bachelor’s degree in filmed in Vancouver, where we did on the cult hit Lost from 2004 to 2010. Journalism from the University of Alcatraz. A really great group of people on Hawaii Five-0, the highly successful California Los Angeles (UCLA). “Around that show very fun and welcoming. reboot of the 1970s and 80s classic show pilot system it turned into an offer. The They’d come do little activities like go- kart racing.” "Jorge very quickly made Jerry an unlikely and valuable part of the Five-0 Ohana," said Lenkov. "We have many opportunities planned to put Jerry's unusual and infectious desire to put the bad guys to good use.” UP CLOSE WITH THE BOSS Peter M. Lenkov is one of those true success stories, someone who had an Tony “Cakeman” Medeiros with a fan objective in his youth and achieved it big time. He grew up in Chomedey, the son of it We will achieve that in November.” Abe and Ellen Lenkov, with two brothers The show stars Alex O’Loughlin Steve and a sister. At the age of 21 he headed to McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), who heads Los Angeles to pursue a career writing a government mandated task force on scripts for the TV and movie industry. crime known as Hawaii Five-0. Co-stars Through pure hustle he began working include Scott Caan, Daniel Dae-Kim, on a series of TVB projects, rising to the Grace Park, Chi McBride and Jorge position of producer pretty quickly. This Garcia. Since the series started, included the popular series Nikita in McGarrett has played a cat and mouse 2000-2001. He soon landed some top- game with a nasty crime boss named Wo ranked series such as The District, 24 and Fat. “In the 100th episode a lot of ques- CSI New York. Five years ago he stepped tions will be answered about Wo Fat,” Lenkov promises. Peter M. Lenkov and Jorge Garcia in as the executive producer of Hawaii Five-0, a reboot of the original 1970s cop When CBS switched the shows to of the same name, has been a ratings role is great. It’s been really fun. So much drama. Friday, some media pundis wondered if it smash hit. Chomedey native Peter M. of the crew are people I already knew. It The series, which I watch religiously, would survive on a night where many pre- Lenkov is the executive producer while was kind of like coming home at a certain has a very distinct Chomedey ending. Just viously successful programs have died. Côte Saint-Luc’s David Wolkove is a level.” as the final credits are rolling off the That did not happen to Five-0 as their rat- writer and story editor. The program has Will Jerry actually become part of Five- screen, the name 101st Television pops up ings remained strong. “It worked out well become a bit of a destination point former 0, a special government task force created with a house and the animation of some- for us,” he said. “I like the 9 p.m. timeslot Lost cast members. Daniel Dae Kim, who to investigate serious crimes in Hawaii? one shoveling the walk and then a snow and we added a younger demographic. plays Chin Ho Kelly, has been a regular “So far Jerry still has his visitor’s badge plough comes by and fills the pathway Kids aged 10 to 12 are now watching the since day one. Terry O’Quinn (John that keeps him on the outskirts,” said with the white stuff. “That’s my old house show with their parents. They do not have Locke) had a recurring role while Henry Garcia. “But it is not as if he not trying to in Chomedey,” to get up for school Ian Cusick, Tania Raymonde and Cynthia be part of it.” Lenkov told me by the next day.” Watros have all had guest shots. Some of As the love able Hugo “Hurley” Reyes phone last week. “I While Lenkov was the writing staff also worked on Lost, on Lost, Garcia was a huge fan favorite. do not know how too young to follow which was filmed in Hawaii. His character was famous for using the many people actually closely the original In a telephone interview with The word “dude” repeatedly, something that is wait until the end of Hawaii Five-0, his Suburban, Garcia spoke about Five-0 and even depicted in great detail on YouTube. the credits. But my dad "was a massive life since Lost’s dramatic final episode. The word is slipping through his lips now parents always do fan. I was very While he immediately got a number of on Five-0. “Yes they have started to work and that’s all that young, but I guest roles, it looked like he had found a some ‘dudes’ in,” he said. “On Lost it was matters.” remember sitting by winning Lost-type of show in Alcatraz. He always in the script. I’m not saying I did Lenkov still lives his knee when he portrayed Diego Soto, a PhD in both not say the word ‘dude.’ I grew up in in Los Angeles, but watched the show. criminal justice and civil war history and California and that was part of the vernac- generally spends one So I wanted to do it author of books on Alcatraz who became ular. I never said ‘dude’ to the extent week a month in partly because of the FBI’s “go to” person when people who Hurley did.” Hawaii. Filming for that." were thought to have been dead since What do most fans share with Garcia this dramatic fifth Daniel Dae Kim As the show run- 1963 suddenly come back to life in mod- about Lost? “A lot say how much they season began over ner, Lenkov has the ern day San Francisco. Despite a great loved it; that it was their favorite show,” the summer and continues through next final say on ever- premise, the show was cancelled after its he says. “Every now and then someone spring. The season premiere is this Friday thing. That includes choosing the cast first season. likes to point out that they did not like night (9 p.m.) on Global TV and CBS. Did and guest stars. Carol Burnett will be A number of other guest spots followed, the ending. I had no problem with it. he ever believe the show would have such back in a recurring role this season as including on high profile shows like How Hurley got the island.” staying power? “No,” he responded. “I had McGarrett’s aunt. Lenkov has had Ed I Met Your Mother and Once Upon a Time. The cancellation of Alcataz was diffi- hoped it would do well, but how many Asner on both Five-0 and CSI New York. On Hawaii Five-0 he immediately became cult, Garcia admitted. “I feel like Alcatraz series last five years? David Staph, the “Ed is a friend of mine,” he says. “Carol a fan favorite over the course of five did not get the chance to become the president of CBS, told me that when you Burnett has become one as well.” episodes as Chin Ho Kelly’s old high show we were hoping to make,” he said. reach 100 episodes you have really made COMICCON REVISITED So I finally made it to my first Montreal what’s around the bend for WB Games (manga), related gaming Comiccon (www.montrealcomiccon.com) and BioWare. Walking around, fans may and Japanese pop-culture. event recently at the Palais des congrès. I have rubbed shoulders with the City’s Last summer she travelled have never seen anything quite like it. Mayor, Mr. Denis Coderre, who attended to Gatineau for G-Anime, Over 51,000 attendees of all ages walked the event for the first time. another convention focus- through the halls of the Palais to take I could not believe the lineups to get ing on Japanese animation. part of the great pop culture gathering autographs and photos of the stars.While For Paola, this all that has become a must in Montreal. They I began taking photos on my own from remains a fun hobby. She came dressed as Wonder Woman, Super afar, I was told- as were others – at a cer- will return to school in the Man, Spider-Men, Starfleet officers or tain point that flashes were not allowed. winter and study to become Disney princesses, braving the sudden Later I was informed no photographer of a makeup artist. chill to be surrounded by their brethren the stars was permitted at all. Photographer Rob Olsen and idols. Over three glorious days, thou- Tony “Cakeman” Medeiros was a big graciously sent us some Hulk Hogan signs an autograph sands of fans beamed and smiled as they hit, debuting his super hero outfit and movie star-like photos of posed for pictures, attended celebrity showcasing super hero themed cakes Paola which I have been able auction and a percentage of the gallery’s Q&A’s, hunted down that elusive col- which will no doubt be appearing at a to share with you in this edition. Maybe sales that evening will support CHW's lectible and had fun with friends and fam- party near you. Medeiros, vice-president Lenkov will use the cosplay idea for a projects for Children, Healthcare and of the Cantor’s Bakery operation future episode and hire Paola as a guest Women. For almost 100 years, Canadian and editor of the very popular star? Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) - a women's vol- family website www.sandbox- RED CARPET SOIREE unteer organization - has been dedicated world.com, was dressed as to the support of Children, Healthcare Montreal's first sweet super- The Montreal Center of Canadian and Women in Israel and Canada. hero. Cakeman looks a lot like Hadassah WIZO (CHW) will be hosting a Projects we've funded in Montreal include Batman. He has three candles Red Carpet Art Soirée on Wednesday LOVE Quebec, the Montreal Children's on his head instead of pointy evening, October 1 at Galerie de Hospital, the Missing Children's Network, ears, oven mits instead of gloves Bellefeuille (1367 Greene Avenue). The and women's shelters. Tickets are $75 and utensil belt of forks and CHW Art Soirée is a new twist on its fab- each. Info: 514-933-8461 or knives in place of a utility belt. ulous art auction. Guests will have the www.chw.ca/montreal. “Cakeman has no super pow- opportunity to participate in a silent auc- ers,” Medeiros says. “He just tion featuring all of their favorite artists Have something to share? Email me at makes cakes and delivers them.” as well as to purchase from Galerie de [email protected] or leave a The reaction to Cakeman was Bellefeuille’s extensive collection of over message at 514-484- 9203, ext. 307. strong. Medeiros said he posed 1,000 works of art in its newly renovated Follow me at www.twitter.com/mikeco- for an endless array of photos. space. The entire proceeds of the silent hencsl and at blog.thesuburban.com. Meanwhile, businessman Sam Kloda was spotted at Moishe’s Steakhouse with Brent Spiney, who played Data on Star Trek Sam Kloda and Brent Spiner the Next Generation. ily members. The event’s remarkable WONDER WOMAN PAOLA ROJAS growth and popularity has been such that As I walked through the exhibit hall I the organization is now at a crossroads. saw so many interesting average folks in "Our goal and our priority is that our vis- elaborate attire. One such individual was itors and all those who support us benefit Paola Rojas, a 22-year old resident of from a great experience,” said Alex La Laval who works part-time at the Cinéma Prova, Co-President of Montreal Colossus. She loves attending these con- Comiccon. “That is why we’ve booked the ventions and on this occasion she was entire convention center for next year. In dressed up as super heroine Wonder order to accomplish this, we had to move Woman. Every second person asked if she the event dates. Therefore, the 2015 edi- would stop and pose for a picture. tion will be held from July 3 to 5.” “The only ‘pose’ people asked me for A wide array of guests from the TV, film was to make it look like I was cutting and entertainment worlds were present to their throat with my sword, which I kind meet their fans, including crowd-pleasers of found funny since it made me look Sir Patrick Stewart, Stephen Amell, more like a villain than a heroine,” Paola Robert Englund and Norman Reedus. On stated. “I love cosplay,” the Friday night, Hulk Hogan shared “Cosplay?” I asked myself. “What is cos- touching, humorous and life-changing play?” stories at the special event Hulk Hogan: Well I learned a new word over the Uncut. On Saturday, one of the most weekend as cosplay is short for costume anticipated and best attended special play, a performance art in which partici- events was Star Trek: TNG – Engaged!, pants called cosplayers wear costumes where nine cast members were welcomed and fashion accessories to represent a to the stage by a small orchestra from Les specific character or idea that is usually Fusiliers Mont-Royal and Dr. McCoy from identified with a unique name. Cosplayers 2009’s Star Trek, Karl Urban. Later that often interact to create a subculture cen- evening, dreams became a reality for 100 tered on role play. fans of Arrow, who had the chance to As for Wonder Woman, Paola said: meet and greet Oliver Queen himself “She has been my favorite heroine in the (Stephen Amell) in an intimate and DC universe since I was little. I chose the relaxed setting (an event organized in version of injustice because it looks really partnership with Z). awesome and I found it interesting that it On the exhibition floor, booths carrying is different from the typical design she’s toys, comics and unique collectibles were used to.” attractions, in and of themselves. Long While Paola, boyfriend Cedrik and lines formed in the Autograph Area some friends spent all three days last (sponsored by Télétoon la nuit) at celebri- weekend at Comiccon along with count- ty signing booths for guests like Billy less thousands of others, she has also Boyd, Julie Benz and Emily Kinney. Video been to Otakuthon for the last eight games proved to be popular, with fans years. This is Quebec’s largest fan-run wanting to experience new games on festival promoting Japanese animation Sony PlayStation, or get the scoop on (anime), Japanese graphic novels Paola displays her Wonder Woman sword ROB OLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY