PLACING BETTE: Bette Midler, a Radford grad who is Hawai'i's first superstar, will be on the CBS Morning News this Sunday, but you'll have to get up before the sun does, because it will air here at 5 a.m. The network has been checking with local sources for vintage material on The Divine Miss M; The Advertiser shipped some stage images, including a classic of Midler (with actor Paul McGaffey) in a scene from a 1963 production of Murray Schisgal's "The Typist." She's come a long way since those early days. ...

Speaking of TV: It's hana-hou time for Alvin and Pat Okami's KoAloha 'Ukulele. CNBC has repackaged a recent visit for a "Mike on the Money" special by Mike Hegedus, to be broadcast at 2 p.m. today. ...

MORE YULETIDE: Gail Mack-Nowicki of George Street fame has had a seasonal hit titled "Christmas Once More in Hawai'i Nei," which this year marks the 20th year since its original release. The single has been expanded to a new yule CD, due in December featuring 11 tunes (including eight originals) and some savvy guest stars. Jerry Santos of Olomana does a couple of duets; Kapono Beamer provides ki ho'alu highlights on two tracks. Robert Shinoda of Nueva Vida did the arrangements and Milan Bertosa was engineer. The tracks are now in final mix in Los Angeles, with David Ho overseeing. Sounds like a keeper. ...

For a pure Hawaiian experience, "Halelu," a new entry by Ululoa Productions, savors the beauty of the Hawaiian language in 10 songs, including two originals, by acts such as The Hula Honeys, Lei'ohu Ryder, Ata Damasco, C. Pueo Pata and Leimana Abenes. ...

CULINARY CUES: Jean-Marie Josselin, formerly of A Pacific Cafe, offers a one-night-only four-course dinner, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Bali by the Sea. He now operates 808 in Las Vegas. Reservations: 949-4321. ...

And chef Hubert Keller and his wife and business partner Chantal celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary last week at Hy's Steak House, hosted by resident entertainer Audy Kimura. They enjoyed the music and dined on caesar salad and prime filet mignon. The couple splits their time between their award-winning Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, another one in Las Vegas, and the Burger Bar at Mandalay Place in Las Vegas. So the question is raised: Is Honolulu a possible site for a Keller eatery? ...

Chef James McDonald's Maui restaurant, I'o, has earned the distinguished DiRoNa award from the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. He took his mom and teenage son to Atlanta to pick up the award, but first visited New York for a meal at chef Daniel Boulud's Daniel — memorable, indeed. ...

THE PLAYBILL: Channing Weir as "Annie," playing at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 2 at Army Community Theatre's Richardson Theatre, is just 12 but has incredible pizzazz on stage. What a voice, what a presence, what a performance — her sun definitely will come out "Tomorrow" and for years to come. Leonard Piggee as Daddy Warbucks and Shari Lynn as Miss Hannigan are the adult stars in the whirl of hard knocks. Word of caution: Arrive early; took us 25 minutes from the Fort Shafter cut-off to clear the security gate. Saturday night's curtain was held nearly 30 minutes because of the crowd crunch. ...

Manoa Valley Theatre's "Fully Committed" is a marvelous breakneck one-man show. Greg Howell clearly is an actor who can do voices, alter body language and keep the momentum going. The crowd wasn't so responsive the night we stopped by, however. Make a reservation and cheer Howell on Wednesdays through Sundays (no Thanksgiving show), through Dec. 3. ...

And Circus Oz, which played Hawai'i Theatre, was awesome — oozing with irreverence and mayhem. The Aussie troupe is bound for another run in New York, so consider yourself savvy if you took in a performance. ...

And that's Show Biz. ...

Show Biz is published Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.