November 9, 1999
Strictly Canadian Content - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
As Regis Philbin debuted the second series of the wildly popular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Rick Mercer of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Made In Canada and It Seems Like Yesterday; was hosting the 14th annual gathering of television’s finest at the Gemini’s. The television in question is Canadian, and the usual suspect were on tap to accept the bows and kudos. I am an ardent, some say shameless, fan of award shows. It doesn’t matter what the show is about, or the country it is honouring. I can be seen yearly watching the totally French telecast of their Cesar’s.
Mercer, as host, did a splendid job. He was funny and very endowed in the art of hosting live award shows. The show was streamlined over 3 nights, but it still managed to run over time. Considerably less in viewership than the Gemini’s or the Juno’s, the Gemini’s still had a tasteful ‘do’ with a very talented group of presenters and performers.
Over the last couple of years, I have actually paid attention to the nominees, and even the so-called “Canadian star system”. This year’s nominees were a little eye-raising, particularly the omission of a bulk of nominations to the most deserving Traders and Cold Squad. Where was the nod for Nicholas Campbell of DaVinci’s Inquest? Why no DaVinci, but a nod for Peta Wilson of Nikita?
The legends of Canadian TV were there. Al Waxman and Gordon Pinsett made appearances, the latter winning a statuette for writing his telepic, Win Again! Tom Green was riotously funny, as was Mike Billiard. The CTV film, Milgaard, took the bulk of Gemini’s even though clips of the film couldn’t be seen, due to the national publication ban. David Milgaard took to the stage during the acceptance of the final award, giving the show an emotional and proving moment.
This Hour Has 22 Minutes took the performance comedy award, while Mercer’s other baby, the brilliantly superb Made In Canada was named the country’s best comedy series, while the locally made, DaVinci’s Inquest took the best drama series and rightfully so, I might add.
The show was well put together, as well as a terrific insight into the Canadian television industry and Canadian culture. What a most opportune, point where to open my series (plug! plug! plug) on Canadian broadcasting and culture. The Gemini’s were good, and Canadian TV, in all honesty is pretty good.
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