Five-0 Redux: Write on, Mr. Lenkov

"Hawaii Five-0" Executive Producer and Writer Peter M. Lenkov. (Star-Advertiser File)

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BY WENDIE BURBRIDGE / Special to the Star-Advertiser

When I hear the name Peter M. Lenkov, I sort of have an interesting reaction. I am in awe of the simple fact that he is the Executive Producer of “Hawaii Five-0”, and that he was part of the force that helped bring it to television, and that he not only a producer, but he is a writer. And that for me is what makes me a fan. I know Executive Producers get much more power and limelight than Writers, but let’s face it. For me — I’m a fan of writers. All the other stuff just proves that he’s very good at what he does — and what Peter Lenkov does is write.

We all see him on news or hear him on the radio answering questions and being interviewed about “Hawaii Five-0,” we saw him at the blessing for the first and second season, and we were lucky to see some behind the scenes photos of the “Hawaii Five-0” set from his Twitter feed. But what I wanted to know about him was about the writing. Because for me, the girl who’s kept a journal since 2^nd grade, the girl who wrote horrible poetry and long winded novels about gangsters and gun molls during boring US History lectures in high school, and the girl who still writes short stories during tedious work meetings — that’s what makes my pen click.

Peter M. Lenkov's Twitter pic tease of a season two script. (Courtesy CBS)

So when I was asked to join in on an interview with Peter M. Lenkov, executive producer and writer — I forgot about the “Hawaii Five-0” questions — which doesn’t make me the greatest Five-0 blogger, I know, but I was hoping we could talk about writing, the craft, what he thought about it, what he liked about it. And I wasn’t disappointed.

Sorry McG fans — I failed you, but I’m sure you’ll get plenty out of Lenkov’s other interviews on television and on other websites. I’m sure they will ask all the “Hawaii Five-0” questions you can think of, and I’m sure he’ll answer the same questions over and over again, so you wont miss a thing.

Peter M. Lenkov with the cast of "Hawaii Five-0." (Courtesy CBS)

I have to tell you all — that as well as this being the “Summer of Hawaii Five-0” for me, I’ve had some pretty awesome experiences — and being able to talk to Peter Lenkov was one of the highlights.

Last week I had the privilege and honor of working with a great bunch of ladies — “In My Pajamas Radio Show” host Amy Bakari, as well as “Hawaii Five-0” fan TereseaLea Brown, and designer and “Hawaii Five-0” star extra, Lisa Woo, as we prepared to interview Lenkov. We were all extremely nervous and had prepared two pages of questions and called and emailed back and forth in preparation. I’d like to think it was similar to preparing for a SEAL team maneuver — albeit not quite top secret or involving any weapons.