at Gemini Awards

Several highs, very few lows and some uncommonly awkward moments later, another Gemini Awards show is in the books. Rinkside judges gave it distinguished grades, leaving room at the top for a little more spit, grit and polish next time.

The final night of the Geminis, broadcast live on cbc March 6, wobbled a bit off the top with a cliche entrance by cohost Albert Schultz, who arrived on stage via a hole sawed through the stage floor. But once he and emcee partner Valerie Pringle got revved up, the cliches slipped away and they ushered in presenters and special tributes alike with punchy repartee. Schultz in particular lived up to his advance billing as one very funny guy and he pulled off a production number which his Street Legal character, Rob Diamond, couldn’t have managed on speed.

The supporting cast of entertainers and presenters definitely held their own. People don’t readily admit to laughing at a guy (Red Green Show’s Steve Smith) who talks about the accounting firm of Sharon, Lois and Bram, a guy who says ‘academy is just a fancy word for people who can’t spell lodge.’ But the television who’s who in the audience were yukking it up while Mr. Smith was on-stage ‘explaining’ the awards’ voting procedures.

On a more serious note, members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television paid fitting tribute to the Productions Tele-Action/National Film Board project The Boys of St. Vincent with seven Geminis, including best direction for John N. Smith, best actor for Henry Czerny and best dramatic miniseries.

The Diviners

Next best in the numbers game was the Atlantis Films/Credo Group movie The Diviners, with four. Writer Linda Svendsen was not nominated, but her name came up on broadcast night (night three) as it had the night before at the industry gala, this time when she and director Anne Wheeler were thanked for their efforts in The Diviners. Winning producer Kim Todd said, ‘You don’t win best movie without a great script and great direction.’

Todd also warned the audience to be wary of book-banners such as a group in Ottawa which is trying to get the Margaret Laurence novel yanked from a curriculum.

Offstage, Todd said Svendsen will be doing a duo-delivery in May: a baby and a tv adaptation of another Laurence book, The Stone Angel.

Considering the struggle between current affairs and pov documentary filmmaking, it’s perhaps fitting that the Donald Brittain Award went to the only nominee who does not work in current affairs: Adam Symansky. While Symansky does not criticize the journalistic approach to docs, he does hope that the various forms continue to receive funding.

There were several standing Os during the presentations. One for the dancing Frank Shuster, who said at least half the applause was meant for his late partner Johnny Wayne; one for a surprise cameo by Kurt Browning; and one for Earle Grey Award winner Ernie Coombs, Gemini’d for lifetime achievement as cbc’s Mr. Dressup and congratulated, through the wonder of tape, by old pal Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) and his puppet character King Friday. Coombs dedicated his award to the memory of his late wife Lynn. Backstage: ‘Bless the cbc, they’ve never put any pressure on (Mr. Dressup) to change.’

A bittersweet acceptance speech by Tommy Sexton’s mom Sara prompted the audience to its feet again. Sexton, who died last year of aids-related causes, was part of the codco team which picked up two Geminis over the three awards nights. His mom gave her heartfelt thanks to his tv colleagues and ‘peers in the gay community’ for their support during his illness. A high point of the evening, the mood it created was in certain measure undone after Alliance Communications chief Robert Lantos stepped to the mic to give his thank-yous for the best dramatic series award for e.n.g. In an awkward decrescendo, Lantos thanked everyone possible for contributing to the four straight victories for e.n.g., just canceled by the CTV Television Network, and then offered the Gemini statue to the network’s discomfited president, John Cassaday.

Too bad about that ending. Many laughs, much good scripting, enough honest compassion, a little social commentary, a fab musical interlude by the Holly Cole Trio, and almost enough pithy acceptance speeches (thank you, Ron MacLean!).

Backstage, meantime: Kid-in-the-Hall Scott Thompson stood out from the black ties in his kilt and leather combo, complete with big boots and discreet, slinky chains.

Night two’s tangerine textural backdrop on stage was part and parcel of the evening’s slick package. Coming in under time (at approximately 100 minutes) was one of the pluses of the show – even without the constraints of live broadcast, no one delivered a lengthy acceptance speech. (Okay, there was one.)

In preparation for the show, producer Eric Wiegand expressed his desire ‘to leave the audience with a sense that they know the landscape of Canadian tv.’ A tough call for one show, but Wiegand achieved what was ultimately possible: an entertaining show that covered some of Canada’s tv terrain.

The clips were brief, the writing was generally funny (especially Diane Flacks’) and the graphics were hip. Tarragon sherbet was maybe pushing au-courant cuisine a bit far, but the adventurous spirit was appreciated.

Robson

Wayne Robson, winning best supporting actor for The Diviners, thanked writer Svendsen (whose omission from the nominations was noted by some as strange). He also made a tribute to the late John Candy as a man who had ‘integrity that all of us must only hope to aspire to.’ Later, Robson could be seen doing a quick jig with winner Graham Greene. They made a lovely pair.

Lise Roy, winner of best actress in a supporting role for Boys of St. Vincent, caught everyone’s attention with a message to film and tv writers: ‘There are women out there – so write us parts!’

A note to sportscaster Mark Hebscher: just because it’s not broadcast, doesn’t mean we can’t see your jaw exercising that wad of gum.

Comedy writing? Yes, we heard some amusements. Industry gala host Karl Pruner and opening night gala host Jonathan Welsh sang an original number, part to the tune of I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad and part, including these two verses, to the tune of Someone’s in the Kitchen With Dinah:

Alliance, Atlantis and Cinar,

Paragon and Malo ho ho ho!

All offered stock and went public

Just watch that capital flow!

All of these people want channels.

So do many others also ho ho ho!

The Pharaohs of cable say, ‘Only 6!’ Sez Moses, ‘Let my channels go!’

The opening night gala mixed some good, some bad and some comme ci, comme ca comedy efforts wherein host Welsh parlayed some witty bits into occasional laughs and saw others foiled. Working with Pruner and Flacks, on the comic relief interludes, the trio couldn’t seem to stay on stride. Pretaped segments, based on the Hinterland Who’s Who fillers of yore, were funny little gems and helped pick up the pace.

As always, some of the acceptance speeches made for highlights. CTV News’ Craig Oliver, picking up the best reportage Gemini for his ‘Mulroney resignation scoop’ story, said he would join thousands of Canadians in thanking the former prime minister for resigning, and allowing him to win the statue. Perri Gorrara, victorious in the production design/art direction category for I’ll Never Get to Heaven, confounded the audience by thanking her ex-husband for his years of love and support. ‘I really do love him,’ she insisted.

Two winners, cbc veteran journalist Brian Stewart and Greg White, who won for his picture editing skills on True North Concert ’93, maintained that winning such tributes really is worthwhile. White, who said his father had died a few days before, held his Gemini aloft and concluded: ‘Dad, wherever you are, I love you, how `bout this?’

The following is a complete list of Gemini recipients:

Program Categories

Best Short Dramatic Program: Letter From Francis – Producers: Daphne Ballon, Jane Thompson (Atlantis Films, Cabiria Productions)

Best Dramatic Miniseries: The Boys of St. Vincent – Producers: Claudio Luca, Sam Grana (Les Productions Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best TV Movie: The Diviners – Producers: Kim Todd, Derek Mazur, Bill Gray, Peter Sussman (Atlantis Films, Credo Group)

Best Dramatic Series: e.n.g. – Producers: Robert Lantos, Jennifer Black, Greg Copeland (Alliance Communications)

Best Comedy Series: The Kids In The Hall – Producers: Lorne Michaels, John Blanchard, Jeffrey Berman, Cindy Park, Joe Forristal (Broadway Video International)

Best Variety Program or Series: The Trial of Red Riding Hood – Producer: Bernard Rothman (cbc, Bernard Rothman Productions)

Best Information Series: Market Place – Producers: Sig Gerber, Paul Moore (cbc)

Best Lifestyle Information Series: MediaTelevision – Producers: Moses Znaimer, Marcia Martin, Reid Willis (City-tv)

Best Local News Program: City Pulse – Producers: Moses Znaimer, Stephen Hurlbut (City-tv)

Best Documentary Series: Acts of War – Producers Michael Maclear, David Kirk (Screenlife)

Best Performing Arts Program: My War Years: Arnold Schoenberg – Producers: Larry Weinstein, Niv Fichman (Rhombus Media)

Best Music Program or Series: The Holly Cole Trio – My Foolish Heart – Producers: Bruce Glawson, Arnie Zipursky (Cambium Film & Video Productions)

Best Animated Program or Series: Jim Henson’s Dog City – Producers: Michael Hirsh, Patrick Loubert, Clive A. Smith (Nelvana)

Best Children’s Program or Series: Lamb Chop’s Play-Along – Producers: Jon Slan, Richard Borchiver, Bernard Rothman (Paragon Entertainment)

Best Youth Program or Series: Street Cents – Producers: Jonathan Finkelstein, Barbara Kennedy, John Nowlan (cbc)

Best Sports Program or Series: The Spirit of the Game – Producers: Andy Blicq, Noah Erenberg (CBC News Manitoba)

Best Special Event Coverage: The Canadian Open – Producers: Doug Beeforth, John Shannon (CTV Television Network)

Best Information Segment: Robin Benger, Brian Stewart – CBC Prime Time News ‘The Somalia Affair’ (cbc)

Craft Categories

Best Direction in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries: John N. Smith – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Productions Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best Direction in a Dramatic or Comedy Series: Gerard Ciccoritti – Catwalk ‘Here Today’ (Cat Run Productions)

Best Direction in a Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series: Ron Meraska – Michael Burgess at Massey Hall (cbc)

Best Direction in an Information/Documentary Program or Series: John Zaritsky – An Appointment With Death (K.A. Productions)

Best Writing in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries: Des Walsh, John N. Smith, Sam Grana – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Productions Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best Writing in a Dramatic Series: Rebecca Schechter – North of 60 ‘Sisters of Mercy’ (Alliance Communications)

Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series: Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, Tommy Sexton, Greg Malone – codco ‘Show #53 – Lil and Buster’ (Salter Street Films)

Best Writing in an Information/Documentary Program or Series: Michael Maclear – Acts of War ‘A Very Personal War’ (Screenlife)

Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series: Rene Ohashi – The Diviners (Atlantis Films, Credo Group)

Best Photography in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series: Gil Densham – The 1993 Juno Awards (caras, cbc)

Best Photography in an Information/Documentary Program or Series: Mike Nolan – W5 with Eric Malling ‘Railraiders’ (CTV Television Network)

Best Picture Editing in a Program or Series: Werner Nold, Andre Corriveau – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Productions Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best Picture Editing in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series: Greg White – True North Concert ’93 (CBC North TV)

Best Picture Editing in an Information/Documentary Program or Series: Deborah Palloway, Mike Feheley – Acts of War ‘A Famous Victory’ (Screenlife)

Best Sound in a Dramatic Program or Series: Marcel Pothier, Serge Beauchemin, Hans Peter Strobl, Jerome Decarie, Antoine Morin – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Films Tele-Action in association with the National Film Board)

Best Sound in a Comedy, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series: Peter Mann, Simon Bowers, Mas Kikuta, Dave Ripka, Mike Nazarec – The 1993 Juno Awards (Insight Productions)

Best Sound in an Information/ Documentary Program or Series: Sebastian Salm – Visions of Carmanah (Omni Films Productions)

Best Production Design or Art Direction: Perri Gorrara, Ane Christensen – I’ll Never Get to Heaven (cbc)

Best Costume Design: Charlotte Penner – The Diviners (Atlantis Films, Credo Group)

Best Original Music Score for a Program or Miniseries: John Welsman – The Bellringer (Firehorse Film Productions)

Best Original Music Score for a Series: Fred Mollin – Beyond Reality ‘The Passion’ (Paragon Entertainment)

Best News Photography: Gord Danielson – CTV News ‘Davis Inlet’ (CTV Television Network)

Performance Categories

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries: Henry Czerny – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Productions Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries: Kelly Rowan – Adrift (Atlantis Films)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: James Purcell – Counterstrike ‘Going Home’ (Alliance Communications)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Jackie Burroughs – Road To Avonlea ‘Hearts and Flowers’ (Sullivan Entertainment)

Best Performance in a Comedy Program or Series: Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, Tommy Sexton, Greg Malone – codco ‘Show #53 – Lil and Buster’ (Salter Street Films)

Best Guest Performance in a Series by an Actor or Actress: Phil Granger – Neon Rider ‘Saint Walt’ (Atlantis Films, Virtue/ Rekert Productions)

Best Performance in a Variety Program or Series: Jinny Jacinto, Laurence Racine Choiniere, Nadine Louis-Binette, Isabelle Chasse – 1993 YTV Achievement Awards (GRC Productions)

Best Performance in a Performing Arts Program or Series: Holly Cole – The Holly Cole Trio – My Foolish Heart (Cambium Film and Video Productions)

Best Performance in a Children’s or Youth Program or Series: Graham Greene – The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon ‘Mr. Crabby Tree’ (Breakthrough Films and Television)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Wayne Robson – The Diviners (Atlantis Films)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Lise Roy – The Boys of St. Vincent (Les Films Tele-Action in coproduction with the National Film Board)

Best Overall Broadcast Journalist (Gordon Sinclair Award): Craig Oliver – CTV News ‘Mulroney Resignation Scoop’ (CTV Television Network)

Best Anchor or Interviewer: Lloyd Robertson – CTV News ‘Mulroney Resignation/Leadership ’93’ (CTV Television Network)

Best Host in a Lifestyle Info, Variety or Performing Arts Program or Series: Dr. Robert Buckman – Magic or Medicine? ‘Encounters of a Healing Kind’ (Primedia Productions)

Best Reportage: Craig Oliver – CTV News ‘Davis Inlet’ (CTV Television Network)

Best Sports Broadcaster: Ron MacLean – Molson Hockey Night in Canada (cbc)

Outstanding Technical Achievement Award: Kodak Canada’s Eastman EXR200T (5273/7293) Film Stock

John Drainie Award (for distinguished contribution to broadcasting): Max Ferguson

Margaret Collier Award (presented to a writer for a body of work in television): Alex Barris

Earle Grey Award (presented to an actor or actress for a body of work in television): Ernie Coombs

Canada Award (presented for excellence in mainstream television programming which best reflects the cultural diversity of Canada): Speak It! From the Heart of Black Nova Scotia – Producers: Marilyn A. Belec, Mike Mahoney, Director: Sylvia Hamilton (National Film Board Atlantic Centre)

Donald Brittain Award for Best Documentary Program: Donald Brittain Filmmaker – Producer: Adam Symansky (National Film Board)