Geminis Provide Good Timing for Launch

Bonjour! I’m CJ, and I am a BIG fan of Canadian Television and I want to talk about it.

In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve only recently discovered that I have this passion. I didn’t even know I had it until I realized my PVR was full of Canadian content. Gone are the days when big budget American network TV shows cluttered my recording space (well they still kinda do but that’s because I have roommates), because now most of my scheduled recordings are distinctly Canadian shows.

I’m not going to tell you that I don’t watch American television, that would be silly, and a lie. Especially given that they even play those shows on our Canadian networks…

It seems fitting that my idea to start a blog highlighting and discussing Canadian content happened around the same time when we as a nation celebrate achievements in television excellence with the Gemini Awards. Although airing the awards at 9:00pm on a Saturday night, going head to head against Hockey Night in Canada may not be the best way to increase viewership but that is a discussion for another time!

The 24th annual Gemini Awards were handed out on Saturday and for those of you Canadians who don’t know, the Geminis are like the Canadian Emmys and I know that you watch the Emmys! This year’s edition was hosted by comedian Ron James who did a good job at playing to the home crowd in Calgary. And if I may say so myself, Calgary-born Corey Monteith from Glee was a highlight… looking quite excellent playing drums for the rendition of Canadian 80’s tune “Working for the Weekend” with Loverboy’s Mike Reno and Theo Tams of Canadian Idol. HOT.

Anyway, all in all the broadcast celebrated popular Canadian Television and its stars, which made the gala distinctly Canadian… nice things were said about everybody (except Torontonians, James harpooned us repeatedly!). The big winners were clearly the most well-known ones. Flashpoint was Goliath and took home three big awards during the show, Best Male Actor, Best Drama Series, and Best Direction for a Drama Series, which is all well and good because it’s a pretty decent show, but did it win because it’s the most popular? Leah Miller won Best Performance or Host in a Variety Show or Series, and So You Think You Can Dance Canada was CTV’s most successful new show last year. But were Miller’s hosting abilities really superior to Theo Tams performances on Canadian Idol season six which saw him WIN the entire competition?! Think about it.

I’m not here to recap the winners and losers of every category, there’s actually a full 30-page pdf on the Geminis website for that. Moving forward I’m am going to be here to talk about what’s on our Canuck airways.

There is a full year ahead before the Gemini’s are handed out again and I’m looking forward to further exploring the world of Canadian TV and the awesome (or aweful!) Canadian content. Here’s to hoping that we can support what is great and know what is happening in Canadian television so that when the Gemini’s come around next year, you’ll know enough to have an opinion about the winners!

This week is chock-a-block full of great Canadian TV to talk about, from the Battle of the Blades finale, to the newest Being Erica and Flashpoint episodes. Be sure to check back soon!

Salut!