East Coast television productions brought home a batch of hardware from the 17th annual Gemini Awards, with Trudeau, Made In Canada, and Random Passage among the biggest winners of the three-night extravaganza in Toronto.

"It's a fantastic night for the East Coast," actor-writer Rick Mercer said from a pay phone just moments after the awards show ended. East Coast productions netted 13 awards.

On Sunday, Halifax's Mercer presented a best solo comedy performance trophy to Sydney's Bette MacDonald for her standup at the Ha!ifax Comedy Festival. She returned the favour during last night's televised portion, handing Mercer a best comedy writing trophy for Made In Canada's Damocles-Time Traveler episode.

"We're each others' new lucky charms. We're never leaving each others' side!" Mercer said, adding the "hysterical" cast of fellow Halifax nominees Trailer Park Boys was causing quite the stir in their full trailer attire.

MacDonald, now starring in CBC's Rideau Hall, is tickled with her first national TV award.

"Maynard (Morrison, her husband) thinks it would make a great hood ornament," she said before the show.

Going into the race with a record 14 nominations, the Made In Canada gang also won awards for best director (John Greyson) and best ensemble performance in a comedy series, for actors Mercer, Peter Keleghan, Dan Lett, Leah Pinsent, and Halifax's Jackie Torrens. The series begins its fifth and final CBC season on Jan. 10.

Best actor Gemini for a dramatic program or miniseries went to Cohn Feore, for his portrayal of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau in the Halifax-shot TV movie, Trudeau.