The winner for most self-defeating attitude is . . . by John Doyle
Source : Globe & Mail
December 9, 2004
The Gemini Awards, which honour achievement in Canadian television, begin this weekend. The televised gala presentation is on CBC at 8 p.m. on Monday. It's the big wingding for the people who toil in the often-maligned, always-in-crisis world of Canadian-made programming.
Awards are also handed out at two other shindigs, which take place on Saturday and Sunday. At those two events, awards in documentary, news and sports are covered. These areas represent much of the true strength and excellence in Canadian TV. Our documentaries and news programs are watched and admired by Canadian viewers every week of the year. And we are addicted to coverage of Canadian sports. The awards on these areas should be a highlight of the Geminis.
However, I fear that what happens on Saturday and Sunday will largely remain hidden except for the tiny audience watching on community cable in Ontario. You see, the people who organize the Geminis are not what you'd call welcoming of press coverage. Like every journalist who writes about Canadian television, I was taken aback by the notice, which came, on Nov. 11, from the augustly named Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. It read: "Media admittance to the documentary, news & sports gala and Gemini Industry Gala are by special request only. Request for either or both evenings must be submitted by November 17th. Requests after November 17th will not be entertained."
Nice attitude. When I see "by special request only," and I'm given only 6 days to figure out if I need to attend an event, I know I'm being told to stay away. And I don't go where I'm not wanted. But it's a ludicrous situation. For instance, if my editors decided last week that I should attend one of the two Gemini events this weekend and chat up some of the Canadian TV honchos, I'd have to say that requests for media admittance would not be entertained.
The Geminis must be the only television awards event in the world that discourages press coverage. It seems odd, given that TV programs are made to be seen by the public and reviewed by the press.
The attitude would be laughably petty-minded if it weren't so blatantly self-defeating for an industry that says it is in crisis and needs support.
Every day of my working life, I hear from TV producers, directors, writers, actors and publicists. They want attention for their endeavours. That is fair enough. The American networks have a massive marketing machine to draw attention to their shows. Getting attention for Canadian programs is tough. I try to be fair to everyone and draw readers' attention to good Canadian shows.
Now, when it comes time to celebrate the best Canadian programs, the press is told to get lost. All I can tell the academy is, well, if that's your attitude, that's fine with me. But the next time you complain that the press is not supporting Canadian television by paying attention to it, I'll be turning a deaf ear. Go ahead, hold two-thirds of your awards show in secret. It's just another thing that makes Canadian television unique.
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