Gemini Awards: The Wrap Up

The final batch of trophies for the 2008 Gemini Awards were handed out Friday night at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. The live telecast was hosted by Jason Priestley and presenters included Shenae Grimes (90210), Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights), Kristen Booth (MVP), Christopher Bolton (The Border), Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall) and Wendy Crewson among others. The live one-hour telecast aired on E! and Showcase.

Many nominees and Canadian personalities walked the red carpet, including Vik Sahay whose date was his Our Hero co-star Jeanie Calleja. The actor currently stars as “Lester Patel” on NBC’s Chuck which was created by and is produced by Josh Schwartz. Vik and Jeanie talk about the possibility of an Our Hero reunion here.

Natasha Henstrige, winner of the the Best Actress in a Drama/Mini-series category for her role on the mini-series Would Be Kings showed her support for her US series, Eli Stone which faces cancellation and urges fans to visit Save-EliStone.com.

George Strombolopoulos, winner of the Best Host in a talk Series, says that Seeing Things with Louis Del Grande and Magnum P.I. were among his favourite shows of all-time. During the Q & A period, Strombolopoulos spoke out against the cancellation of The NewMusic (watch it here). Best News Anchor nominee and host of Global National, Kevin Newman said that current version of Battlestar Galactica is his favourite.

Enrico Colantoni walked the red carpet to promote his CBS/CTV series, Flashpoint but did no shy away from answering the expected Veronica Mars movie related questions and gives us an exclusive here.

The cast of Rent-A-Goalie preview their upcoming season here while former Instant Star actress Zoie Palmer discusses whats heating up on the second season of Global’s The Guard.

Carla Collins and MTV Live host Daryn Jones hosted the pre-televised portion of the Award ceremony where Carla revealed that she’d be starring in a new reality series next year. The series will showcase her move to California and will air on E! in Canada.

So You Think You Can Dance Canada host Leah Miller walked the red carpet with boyfriend Dallas Green (of City and Colour and AlexisOnFire) and talked about their mutual love for the breakout series True Blood but also remain faithful to classics such as Sex and the City and Friends.

Entertainment Tonight Canada‘s Cheryl Hickey and Rick Campanelli found themselves on the other side of the velvet rope on Friday – walking the red carpet instead of conducting the interviews! We ask them how it felt here. Rick talks about his love for Hockey Night in Canada and Cheryl meantions 24 and Prison Break are her favourites here.

Jason Priestley and Shenae Grimes were arguably the biggest attractions of the night, but barely walked the red carpet. They appeared quickly to pose for the cameras and then were whisked away. Neither one of them decided to do interviews or participate in the question and answer period. One can assume that Grimes was worried about being asked about her weight issues and her deadly smoking habit. Come on Shenae, not everyone cares about that stuff…it would have been nice to talk to her about coming home from Los Angeles and asking her about what’s coming up for character on the show that has gotten her all this “unwanted” attention.

Friday night’s winners are as follow:

Best Dramatic Series
Intelligence

Best Comedy Program or Series
This Hour Has 22 Minutes

Best Miniseries
The Englishman’s Boy

Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Justin Louis, Durham County

Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role
Helene Joy, Durham County

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries
Nicholas Campbell, The Englishman’s Boy

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries
Natasha Henstridge, Would Be Kings

Best Direction in a Dramatic Series
Holly Dale, Durham County

Best Reality Program or Series
Project Runway Canada

Best Writing in Comedy or Variety Program or Series
Brooks Gray, Andy King, Leo Scherman, Morgan Waters, Cock’d Gunns

Best News Anchor
Ian Hanomansing, CBC News at Six (Vancouver)

Best Host or Interviewer in a General Interest/Talk Program or Series
George Stroumboulopoulos, The Hour

Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast
Ron MacLean, Hockey Day in Canada