Flashpoint proved it's more than a flash in the pan after walking away with three major awards at last night's Geminis gala.
CTV's popular cop drama received the most gongs of any nominated program during the 90-minute televised event.
Flashpoint beat out stiff competition from CBC's Being Erica and The Tudors to win Best Dramatic Series, while director Kelly Makin grabbed the award for Best Direction in a Dramatic Series for the episode, Planets Aligned.
Enrico Colantoni, who plays Sgt. Gregory Parker on the show, slipped past co-star Hugh Dillon to grab the statuette for best actor in a drama.
"I think great stories are great stories and Flashpoint has an incredible emotional core but it has this action element," said Dillon, who did win best actor in a dramatic program or mini-series for his performance in the CTV movie, Of Murder and Memory.
"I think that's why it appeals to so many people."
Geminis host Ron James poked fun at the show and its action-packed tales of Toronto's S.W.A.T. team.
"The only time I ever saw the Toronto S.W.A.T. team was when they were extras on Flashpoint," James joked during his opening monologue.
For the first time in its 24-year history, the Geminis were held in Calgary.
"Unsnap your eastern sphincters, get the Toronto knot out of your neck and loosen up," James told the largely industry audience at the BMO Centre.
But the comedian also made light-hearted jabs at Alberta's expense. His targets included The Calgary Flames for jumping the H1N1 flu shot queue as well as Fort McMurray's reputation as a town of oil-and-gas-funded debauchery.
"Saturday night in Fort McMurray makes Deadwood look like a church supper at The Waltons," he deadpanned.
Being Erica's Erin Karpluk was all smiles after she took the award for best actress in a drama.
"I'm a little bit overwhelmed but very honoured," she said after her win.
While many winners expressed surprise, no one was as shocked as Christine Ghawi, who won the Gemini for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series for her portrayal of Quebec superstar Celine Dion in Celine.
The quirky Montreal actor yelped excitedly as she ran up on stage to collect her award. She then told the audience she hadn't worked since filming Celine two years ago.
"Somebody please hire me," she begged. Backstage, a shaven-headed Ghawi admitted she was quite stunned.
"I was expecting Judy Davis to win."
The Geminis paid tribute to three of Canada's most successful comedy programs, which ended their runs this year. Air Farce, Trailer Park Boys and Corner Gas were lauded for their outstanding contributions to Canadian television.
Former Kids in the Hall star Mark McKinney, who was nominated for his writing on the Winnipeg-set comedy Less Than Kind, presented Air Farce's Luba Goy, Roger Abbott and Doug Ferguson with their award.
"I was stunned to find out they were still alive," quipped McKinney before urging the audience to give the trio a standing ovation.
Before the show, several nominees and guests walked the red carpet before making their way to their tables. Mercer and best actress winner Erin Karpluk cut a rug when they ran into each other and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson hammed it up with pals Robb Wells, Mike Smith and John Paul Tremblay of Trailer Park Boys.
Calgary-born Cory Monteith, who stars on Fox's hit comedy Glee, was one of the last to arrive. He later appeared on stage and took his place at a drum kit, where he was joined by Canadian Idol winner Theo Tams and Loverboy singer Mike Reno for a rousing rendition of the Loverboy hit, Working for the Weekend.
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GEMINI AWARDS HANDED OUT LAST NIGHT IN CALGARY
- Best Comedy Program or Series: Rick Mercer Report
- Best Direction in a Dramatic Series: Kelly Makin, Flashpoint
- Best Dramatic Mini-Series: Burn Up
- Best Dramatic Series: Flashpoint
- Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series: Steve Cochrane, Kevin Ellis, Phyllis Ellis, George Komorowski, Adriana Maggs, Jordan McCloskey, Steven Morana, Paul Snepsts, Joel Stewart, Three Chords from the Truth
- Best Host or Interviewer in a General/Human Interest or Talk Program or Series: George Stroumboulopoulos, The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos
- Best News Anchor: Diana Swain, CBC News at Six
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Enrico Colantoni, Flashpoint
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Christine Ghawi, Celine
- Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series: Leah Miller, So You Think You Can Dance Canada
- Best Reality Program or Series: Dragons' Den
- Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Program or Series: Adam Reid, Max Reid, Billable Hours -- A Manson for All Seasons
- Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program: Tiger Spirit -- Ed Barreveld, Anita Lee, Min Sook Lee
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: Hugh Dillon, Of Murder and Memory
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series: David Suchet, Diverted
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Erin Karpluk, Being Erica
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic
Program or Mini-Series: Barbara Hershey, Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning
