The Many Trials of One Jane Doe wins total of four Gemini awards
Updated at 20:18 on October 20, 2003, EST.

TORONTO (CP) - Dramas that told real-life stories were honoured Monday night as the Canadian television industry celebrated its accomplishments at the 18th annual Gemini awards. The awards were handed out over three successive nights, with the finale and prime-time broadcast gala on CBC-TV hosted again by comic Sean Cullen, who vowed that everything would go smoothly. "There's no need to fear another blackout, for example, because we've stolen several very powerful generators from the local hospital," he quipped after the show got underway.

The award for best TV movie or dramatic miniseries went to 100 Days in the Jungle, a CTV movie dramatization of the 1999 kidnapping of Alberta oil pipeline workers in South America.

The Many Trials of One Jane Doe, the story of a Toronto woman who fought the system after she was sexually assaulted, was a big winner, with Wendy Crewson taking the prize for her leading role.

She planted a big kiss on presenter Ian Hanomansing - shades of the Oscars - and thanked the real Jane Doe and everyone who watched the show.

"Because in case you don't know, Canadian drama is in kind of a rough patch right now, and you know, we really need the support of everyone who turns on their Canadian shows."

Jerry Ciccoritti won for direction of the program, and Karen Walton won for writing. Earlier, the show won an editing award.

"Thank you above all to the real Jane Doe, who inspired me by making me realize that you can give an identity to those who are identity-less," Ciccoritti said as he accepted the Gemini statue.

The best performance by an actor in a leading role in a dramatic program or miniseries went to Michael Riley for The Interrogation of Michael Crowe.

Supporting acting awards in the dramatic program or miniseries category were also handed out early in the evening, with Ted Whittall receiving one for his work in Agent of Influence, while Janet Wright took the award for Betrayed.

Special achievement winners, already announced last month, included Jennifer Dale (Power Play), who received the Earle Grey Award for her body of acting work in Canadian TV; documentary filmmaker Brian McKenna (The Valour and the Horror), honoured with the Gordon Sinclair Award for broadcast journalism; and fellow documentarian and historian Michael Maclear (The Ten Thousand Day War), who received the Academy Achievement Award for his outstanding ongoing contribution to the industry.

Da Vinci's Inquest star Nicholas Campbell, an awards presenter this year, says a Gemini win actually has a bigger impact outside of Canada in the international TV market.

Speaking prior to the telecast, Campbell, a triple Gemini winner from previous years, said that domestically, Geminis are not yet considered an accomplishment on par with the Junos, but that they're getting there.

"Maybe the only criticism I could offer is that there's just so many awards and Canadians are wondering, how can so few shows produce that many awards."

But since the awards are voted on by their peers, the actor said, a win "is a real big feelgood thing for all of us and it doesn't really matter how many people watch."

Campbell said it's just a great feeling rubbing shoulders with the likes of Gordon Pinsent.

"It really does make you feel good and that maybe you made the right choice with your career to focus on Canada."

'Jane Doe' among Gemini winners
Last Updated 2003-10-20 00:00:00.0
By Dan Brown, CBC News Online

TORONTO - The CBC's The Many Trials of One Jane Doe was the evening's big winner at the 18th Gemini Awards, taking home three trophies during Monday's black-tie gala.

Wendy Crewson, who played the lead in the true story of a sexually assaulted woman, won the prize for best lead actress in a drama or miniseries.

Crewson beat out miniseries veteran Marina Orsini and American actress Ally Sheedy, among others.

She used her brief time in the spotlight to stump for the Canadian television industry, referring to the rough patch it has gone through recently.

"I'll tell you, we have a sea of talent out here," Crewson said, indicating the people assembled in the audience at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Jane Doe also took the awards for writing and direction (it won a statuette for editing earlier in the weekend).

The Geminis, handed out by the Academy of Canadian Television and Cinema, take place over three days. They honour the best in English-language TV.

Most of the prizes distributed Monday night were for dramatic programs. The rest of the awards were given out over the weekend.

On Sunday, the Academy held its industry gala, at which the winners of the technical awards were announced. On Saturday, the statues in the news, sports and documentary categories were handed out.

There are 87 categories in all. The 18th edition of the Gemini Awards was hosted by comedian Seán Cullen.

The show opened with an Oscar-style montage that had Cullen running through the sets of programs like Blue Murder and Puppets Who Kill.

He then launched into a song-and-dance number in which he sang the praises of homegrown productions, singling out the qualities that set them apart. He called Mutant X "mutanty" and Da Vinci's Inquest "inquesty."

"Screw you, Cold Case, I still like Cold Squad," he sang, railing against the copy-cat American program.

The CTV series The Eleventh Hour also had a strong showing. A behind-the-scenes look at a TV news magazine, it took the prizes for best drama series and best actor (Jeff Seymour) on Monday.

Karen Walton, who won the writing trophy for The Many Trials of One Jane Doe, ignited the evening's running joke.

"I'm so surprised," she said as she reached the stage. " I crumpled my thing." What she had crumpled was the list of thank-yous she had prepared beforehand.

Cullen picked up on the remark. "My thing is completely uncrumpled now," he said the next time he came out to face the crowd.

When it came time for him to make his own acceptance speech, Jane Doe's director, Jerry Ciccoritti, added "I don't have a thing."

After Crewson accepted her award, Cullen did another song song-and-dance number inspired by the 18th anniversary of the awards, using the occasion to celebrate the coming of age of the Geminis.

"I remember when the Gemini was just a little baby award, soiling itself with liquid gold," he said before launching into a rock song called Barely Legal, a title borrowed from a pornographic magazine.

Watching from the audience were the judges from Canadian Idol. "Barely legal? That was barely listenable," quipped Sass Jordan.

The award for best anchor went to Peter Mansbridge, the host of the CBC's flagship newcast, The National. It was his 10th win. He paid tribute to the public broadcaster's head journalist, Tony Burman.

He also had kind words for his wife, actress Cynthia Dale. "I want to thank Cynthia, who puts up with so much from me," he said.

Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Oake won for best sports host.

The viewers' choice award for favourite comedian went to Mike Smith, who plays Bubbles on Showcase's faux reality series, The Trailer Park Boys. He and his two co-stars, dressed in hockey uniforms, accepted the honour in character.

"My God, I don't know what the f--- to say," Smith gasped from behind his trademark thick glasses.

Glam rules at the Geminis

The happiest man at the Gemini Awards last night at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was not one of the winners. It wasn't Jerry Ciccoritti, Michael Riley or Peter Mansbridge. It wasn't even Ian Hanomansing, on whom Wendy Crewson pulled an Adrien Brodie and dipped back into a spit-swapping kiss when he handed her the Gemini for Best Performance in a leading role for The Many Trials Of One Jane Doe.

It was producer Peter Simpson. He saved himself a cool $10,000 when The Eleventh Hour unexpectedly picked up the Best Dramatic Series hardware. Simpson's wife, Ilana Frank, the show's co-producer/co-creator, threatened to stand up and bellow `Noooooo' if the series didn't win.

Simpson cheekily offered to pay her $10,000 to do so.

Who says we have to take a back seat to the U.S. awards shows in glamour? And the best part, no one looked as hideous as Joan Rivers.

Just when you thought it was impossible for Wendy Crewson to top herself in the knock-down, drag-out, va va va voom department, she materializes in a white Thien Le gown that screams Hollywood siren, accessorized by a fur wrap. Crewson was assiduously avoiding contact with red liquids. The lady would be drinking vodka and soda, if you please.

Mimi Kuzyk was no slouch in gorgeousness in a copper dress by Zanesha Gowrali.

Maria Topalovich, prez ceo of the academy of Canadian Cinema & Television looked chic in black pleated Linda Lundstrom.

Lots of Gemini guys and gals went the vintage route. Jerry Ciccoritti wore a 1962 tuxedo and Shauna MacDonald (Trailer Park Boys) was in a vintage floral '70s dress she picked up for $20 in Kensington. You can bet that her boa, from Holts, cost considerably more.

Krista Sutton (Train 48) was decked out in a fabbo retro red '40s dress from Wenches & Rogues.

Wenches also dressed Eleventh Hour's co-creator/producer/writer Semi Chellas in a chic maribou fringed black number. Eleventh's costar Sonja Smits looked amazing in a Missoni fringed flapper dress.

Helen Shaver, who won a directing Gemini Sunday for Just Cause, channelled Lana Turner in a Christian Dior she bought 11 years ago - and it still fits! Bitch!

We trailed Peter Mansbridge and his bride Cynthia Dale up the escalator, admiring Dale's honk your horns red gown. It's a Vera Wang," Dale said. "Every gal should have a Vera Wang."

Comic Lisa Merchant would disagree. Her ensemble was from Winners. "But from different trips," she specified.

Sure beats that Tin Man/Dame ensemble she cooked up for the last March Of Dames.

Sturla Gunnarsson was philosophical about losing the best director Gemini to Jerry Ciccoritti. Besides, Gunnarsson's 100 Days In The Jungle won the Best TV-Movie/Dramatic Mini-Series Gemini.

Yes, it was hazardous shooting in Costa Rica, he admitted. "We almost killed Nick Campbell body surfing. He was caught in a riptide."

Jeff Seymour was surprised as anyone to unseat Campbell as Best Peformance by an actor in a continuing leading dramatic role. Had Seymour lost, he could always stunt double for Ralph Benmergui.

Glam be damned, it was still Canadian after all. We gave our free drink tickets to Rick Mercer. You'd think Mercer, who was a nominee and presenter, would get freebies.

Mercer wouldn't be partying hard anyway. He had a 5:45 a.m. flight to Newfoundland.

Hey, it's a gig.

Real-life dramas top at Geminis
By JOHN McKAY -- Canadian Press


TORONTO (CP) -- The Eleventh Hour, CTV's new series about life at a TV news magazine, and 100 Days in the Jungle, a CTV movie dramatization of the 1999 kidnapping of Alberta oil pipeline workers in South America, topped the 18th annual Gemini Awards on Monday night.

Despite debuting last season to anemic ratings, The Eleventh Hour was deemed best dramatic series, while 100 Days was best TV movie or dramatic miniseries.

Jeff Seymour was a first-time Gemini winner as best series actor for The Eleventh Hour, which had earned a leading 14 nominations this year. A Gemini for the show was also collected by supporting actor Peter MacNeill on Sunday night.

"I hope that the television audience would realize that they should perhaps WATCH OUR SHOW!!" Seymour said sarcastically in reference to the big win and small ratings.

Marina Orsini was best series actress in CBC's biker-gang saga The Last Chapter II.

Best movie or miniseries actor was Michael Riley for The Interrogation of Michael Crowe and best actress was Wendy Crewson as a rape victim in The Many Trials of One Jane Doe, which won four Geminis in all, including directing -- Jerry Ciccoritti, writing -- Karen Walton -- and best editing.

Bounding onto the stage, Crewson gave presenter Ian Hanomansing a big kiss -- shades of the Oscars -- and declared that there was a "sea of talent" in front of her.

"In case you don't know, Canadian drama is in a kind of a bit of a rough patch right now, and really needs the support of everyone who turns on their Canadian shows."

Backstage the actress said that Hanomansing was her Halle Berry.

"Did you see the look on his face, though? Like shocked, just shocked. He could have looked a little pleasantly surprised!"

Turning serious, Crewson said she expected that the real Jane Doe, the Toronto woman her character was based on, was going to be thrilled.

"And you know, it (the award) belongs to her as well."

Screenwriter Walton also paid tribute to Jane Doe, who she said helped her enormously.

"I know what a hero and what dignity means today because I know her."

Crewson confirmed she was going to be featured on the hit U.S. series 24 this season, a show that already has a cast filled with Canadians including Kiefer Sutherland and Elisha Cuthbert.

"Which just goes to show we do have the talent, we just don't have the jobs for them."

In fact, references to the program funding crisis that dominated industry talk this year were sprinkled throughout the two-hour-plus telecast.

The Geminis, honouring the finest in Canadian TV, were held over three successive nights, with Monday night's broadcast gala -- carried live on CBC -- hosted again by comic Sean Cullen, who himself won a statue for best variety host for last year's Gemini telecast.

Perennial favourite Da Vinci's Inquest came away from the weekend with three Geminis, for editing, sound and writing, while CBC's satire This Hour Has 22 Minutes -- with 10 seasons now under its belt -- won four, including best comedy ensemble, on Monday night.

In special categories, Mike Smith of Showcase's popular Trailer Park Boys won the Viewer's Choice Award for comedy. The CBC documentary film Return to Kandahar earned the Donald Brittain Award for best social-political documentary program.

Smith accepted his award dressed in full hockey regalia and his trademark coke-bottle eyeglasses. He elicited a roar from the audience when he used one of the more prominent trailer park profanities in his acceptance speech, while one of his buddies appeared to be lighting up a joint.

Peter Mansbridge was named best news anchor for the 10th time, in a category in which his perennial rival, CTV's Lloyd Robertson, wasn't even nominated this year.

Global TV's cop drama Blue Murder had nine nominations and won three, all for guest or supporting actor roles.

GEMINI WINNERS:

Best TV movie or dramatic miniseries: 100 Days in the Jungle (Imagination Film & Television Productions); Nicolette Saina, Sean O'Byrne, Matthew O'Connor, Tom Rowe, Mary Anne Waterhouse.

Best dramatic series: The Eleventh Hour (Alliance Atlantis in association with CTV); Semi Chellas, Brian Dennis, Ilana Frank, Anne Marie LaTraverse.

Best direction in a dramatic program or miniseries: Jerry Ciccoritti, The Many Trials of One Jane Doe.

Best writing in a dramatic program or miniseries: Karen Walton, The Many Trials of One Jane Doe.

Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a dramatic program or miniseries: Michael Riley, The Interrogation of Michael Crowe.

Best performance by an actress in a leading role in a dramatic program or miniseries: Wendy Crewson, The Many Trials of One Jane Doe.

Best performance by an actor in a continuing leading dramatic role: Jeff Seymour, The Eleventh Hour.

Best performance by an actress in a continuing leading dramatic role: Marina Orsini, The Last Chapter II: The War Continues.

Best performance by an actor in a featured supporting role in a dramatic program or miniseries: Ted Whittall, Agent of Influence.

Best performance by an actress in a featured supporting role in a dramatic program or miniseries: Janet Wright, Betrayed.

Best ensemble performance in a comedy program or series: Cathy Jones, Colin Mochrie, Greg Thomey, Mary Walsh; This Hour Has 22 Minutes -- Season X Episode 14.

Donald Brittain Award for best social/political documentary program: Return to Kandahar (Icebreaker Films, J Films Inc., in association with CBC and Radio-Canada); Paul Jay, David M. Ostriker, Nelofer Pazira.

Best news anchor: Peter Mansbridge, CBC News: The National, Ultimatum Iraq/Tariq Aziz/Town Hall Special.

Best host or interviewer in a sports program or sportscast: Scott Oake, Hockey Night in Canada Presents -- Brett Hull.

Viewers' choice award for comedy: Mike Smith, Trailer Park Boys.

Kiss-of-life for Gemini Awards
The Eleventh Hour wins best drama award despite lackluster fan support
By GAYLE MacDONALD Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - Page A5


TORONTO -- At first it seemed last night like another predictable, lacklustre Gemini Awards.

But then actress Wendy Crewson pulled an Adrien Brody and french-kissed CBC anchor Ian Hanomansing.

And the mood in the place shot straight up. And stayed that way through the two-hour, black-tie gala celebrating the 18th Annual Gemini Awards.

After Ms. Crewson's name was called as best actress in a dramatic TV movie, The Many Trials of One Jane Doe, she climbed on stage and gave Mr. Hanomansing a liplock reminiscent of the one Mr. Brody planted on actress Halle Berry when he won best actor at the Oscars last April.

Dumbstruck, Mr. Hanomansing (the baritone voice behind CBC's Canada Now) merely gawked at Ms. Crewson, who is a diehard supporter of Canadian dramatic television.

The actress, who recently landed a leading role on the hit Fox series, 24, then gave a rousing speech asking audiences to stay tuned to homegrown TV.

"Canadian drama's in a rough spot right now, and I want to thank everyone who watches it," said Ms. Crewson, who moved back to Toronto from Los Angeles a couple of years ago.

"I tell you we have a sea of talent out here. And I'm looking at it," she roared at the crowd.

Immediately after Ms. Crewson's stunt, awards host Sean Cullen launched into a bawdy song-and-dance routine commemorating the Geminis' 18th birthday, "You're barely legal," he sang into the microphone, all the while rubbing up against a storey-high Gemini statuette.

Mr. Cullen also confessed to hidden feelings for Mr. Hanomansing. "Everyone wants Ian," the standup comedian said. "Even I kind of want him."

It was that kind of night.

CTV's drama The Eleventh Hour, took home best drama, a prize that its makers clearly hope will turn it from a critics' favourite into a ratings-winner.

Jeff Seymour, of The Eleventh Hour, won best actor in a continuing dramatic role, while Marina Orsini won best actress in the same category for The Last Chapter II: The War Continues.

When he accepted his Gemini, Mr. Seymour said he was blown away, but added he was "more excited that The Eleventh Hour got 14 nominations so maybe now the television audience will watch our show!"

This Hour Has 22 Minutes won for best ensemble performance in a comedy program or series, beating out the crowd favourite, The Trailer Park Boys.

However, Mike Smith, who is a mainstay of Showcase's Trailer Park series, took home favourite comedian under the Viewers Choice Award. To accept that honour, Mr. Smith and his buddies loped onto the stage at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in full hockey gear, including pads, helmets and sticks. "Oh my God, I don't know what . . . to say," Mr. Smith said as he accepted the Gemini. Asked later if they might consider hosting the 19th Geminis next year, the lads quipped that might not happen since the CBC has an issue with their swearing.

Cheeky to the end, Mr. Cullen threw out a gazillion one-liners denigrating U.S. television, including "Screw you Cold Case [referring to a new CBS cop show], I love Cold Squad [a CTV drama]."

Janet Wright won best supporting actress in a dramatic program or miniseries for Betrayed, while Ted Whittall won the best supporting actor category for Agent of Influence.

Michael Riley won best actor in a leading role in a drama or miniseries in for The Interrogation of Michael Crowe.

Wendy Crewson whups Joe Millionaire's butt
By JOHN DOYLE
Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - Page R2

Oh, my shattered nerves, again. Monday was a nerve-wracking night for television.

Did you watch The Gemini Awards? Yeah, I know. That dancing Gemini statue was an eye-popper. That routine was from that school of insane choreography heavily influenced by Planters Peanut commercials. But the pair of legs underneath the wobbling Gemini? Talk about the bee's knees.

As for the lighting, it was excruciatingly harsh on the presenters and winners. Even very lovely looking people appeared as though they'd had their makeup done by Bruno's Drywall & Plaster.

Maybe you watched The Next Joe Millionaire? Yeah, I know. Making fun of gullible gals from an assortment of European countries is an acquired taste in comedy. It probably occurred to you, as it did to me, that on hearing about the Euro Joe Millionaire, we should have called our relatives and friends in Europe and told them to alert all young women to the presence of predatory, mean-spirited jokers from Fox who were trawling the continent looking for victims.

Monday was too much for me. So, on Tuesday morning, I moseyed over to my local Tim's for the regular folks' take on the TV shindig of the night before. Some of the regulars, proud members of the ordinary decent people (the ODP) were there. In minutes, I learned three things: 1) Everybody loves Wendy Crewson, 2) The Trailer Park Boys had people hooting and hollering and, 3) Joe Millionaire's backside is a hit.

My old friend Skippy was, as usual, a font of information and opinion. On Monday night, she'd been channel surfing and knew she'd hit upon an awards show when she found a beaming woman in a lovely pink dress clutching a statue and thanking her family. That would be Karen Walton, who won the Gemini for writing The Many Trials of One Jane Doe. So Skippy stuck with the Geminis.

She switched channels at the commercial break and was in high dudgeon that the commercials on The Next Joe Millionaire came at exactly the same time. She couldn't wait to get a look at the rodeo cowboy who is the latest liar, telling the gals he's worth a gazillion bucks. Finally, instead of relying on commercial breaks, she switched over whenever when Sean Cullen started singing again. "The guy can sing," she said. "He's going to be in The Producers. We get it. And he changed his tie and pocket-handkerchief every few minutes. That's real slick."

Fortunately, I learned, one of Cullen's warbling interludes coincided with a key moment in Joe Millionaire. The new juicy, aw-shucks Joe moseyed up to the mansion on his "hoss," said a lot of things that ended with "y'all" and all the gals had their eyes locked on his ass when he got down from his hoss or got back up on it. Skippy was impressed and, she said, you could tell all the gals were swooning.

Benny the Biscuit (don't ask about the name or we'll be here all day) announced that he was in love with Crewson. "That woman's a demon kisser. There's a lot I'd give for a chug-a-lug with that woman!"

He also declared that he'd watch any damn thing at all that Crewson was starring in. In fact, his taste for the Eurotrash popsies on The Next Joe Millionaire was ruined entirely by Wendy Crewson. And that was the point of the Gemini Awards, wasn't it?

Then I mentioned The Trailer Park Boys. A cheer went up. I don't think anybody watching could miss the fact that those marvellous jokers won an award from the viewers, but not from the members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and that says a lot about the state of things in the officialdom of Canadian television.

The Nature of Things: The Ghosts of Lomako (CBC, 7 p.m.) is a stunner, a true-life trip into a real heart of darkness. The documentary, made by Kenton Vaughan, follows Belgian primatologist Jef Dupain into the war-ravaged, terrifying jungle of Congo in search of the bonobo apes he was studying in 1998, when civil war forced him to flee. He's accompanied by a team, which includes Canadian bio-ethicist Kerry Bowman.

In the village near his old jungle station, Dupain finds that the local people are living in terror and squalor. The war had ravaged their crops and their domestic animals. They're been forced to rely on reptile and monkey meat. Then Dupain and his team set out to find the bonobos that he hopes are still alive and haven't become extinct. It's a trip into the most remote jungle on earth, a place teeming with soldiers who have deserted and survive by living in the most savage way. The Ghosts of Lomako is terrific television, an eye-opening look at a part of the world that the news media has abandoned.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that the TeleLatino starts airing European Champions League soccer today, and the game could be a doozy. It's Real Madrid (you know, Beckham, Ronaldo, Figo, Zidane, etc.) playing Partizan Belgrade. It's on at 2:30 p.m. and repeated at 11 p.m. The commentary is in Spanish and, believe me, you haven't experienced sports coverage until you've heard a Spanish commentator scream, "Goooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalll!"