Silverman Helps Attack Story Nominated For Gemini Award
Posted August 28, 2007 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s a story that’s hard to forget. And chances are you still remember it – CityNews Ombudsman Peter Silverman putting up his dukes, as he’s physically attacked on camera by a man riled by one of his investigations. The story made huge headlines around Toronto and then across the world, after the footage was picked up by CNN and beamed across the planet.
That story on the exploits of Adam Plimmer and King West Optical is one of four nominations garnered by CityNews for the upcoming Gemini Awards, given for excellence in Canadian television. The story began when a consumer contacted Peter about some bogus brand name sunglasses he alleged he’d purchased from the store. When Peter visited the proprietor, he denied the accusation.
But once that story aired, more people came forward complaining about problems with the optician. And that led to the memorable confrontation between the owner and the 75-year-old tough-as-nails Silverman. Both Peter and his producer Terry O’Keefe have received the nod for best reportage for a tale that garnered extreme reaction from viewers.
“And after that ran, which it ran everywhere, we got 700 e-mails from people, mainly from the GTA, of sympathy and support,” Peter recalls. “And that was an incredible boost to us to know that people out there really cared. And we also got a couple phone calls from people with harsh voices and possibly dubious occupations who said: ‘look, if you want that guy taken out, no problem.’ We didn’t take their phone numbers.”
Also on the award menu: CityNews at Six for Best newscast, CityVote 2006 for best special event coverage and another class act, Gord Martineau, as best anchor. “Any time you’re nominated for an award, it’s a heck of a compliment so I’m delighted with this,” Gord smiles.
CityLine with Marilyn Denis is up for a prize as best lifestyle series. “Canada’s Next Top Model” is also in contention for best reality program.
But it’s Silverman who’s getting a lot of the attention for his fisticuffs and his courage. Will Peter win another fight, this time for a well deserved accolade? We’ll find out when the prizes are given out on in Regina in October. In the meantime, if you’d like to take a second look at all parts of the Silverman Helps series – including the dramatic moment – click here.
