All Access Comedy

From a media release:

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is pleased to announce its 2025-26 production slate for AMI-tv and AMI+. Telling a wide range of authentic stories by and for Canadians in the disability community through positive portrayal, these new and returning projects promise to resonate with viewers.

AMI is currently in production on new scripted and docuseries from Big Time Decent Productions, Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham, Barbershop Films and Mirror Image Media.

“We are excited to offer these new and returning series to Canadians of all abilities,” said Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. “The upcoming broadcast season furthers AMI’s vision of providing a platform for Canadians with disabilities through authentic, honest and entertaining storytelling. You won’t want to miss them!”

New Series

Adapting – 6 x 30 scripted comedy

Between small town scandals, messy love triangles and a whole lot of bad decisions, Adapting takes a heartwarming and raw look at disability, adolescence and the minefield of family dynamics—dysfunction and all. Based on the concept by father-daughter writing duo Garner Ransom and Rachael Ransom, the series is inspired by Rachael’s real-life experiences with cerebral palsy, offering a long-overdue, unfiltered look at disability. Adapting is produced by Bread & Better Films, a scripted division of Big Time Decent Productions (Underdog, Inc., Rust Valley Restorers).

Breaking Boundaries (working title) – 8 x 30 docuseries

Paralympic champion Tyler Turner pushes beyond his limits in Breaking Boundaries (wt) an action-driven documentary series where he immerses himself in unfamiliar adaptive sports, learning from elite athletes and redefining what’s possible. Breaking Boundaries is produced by Mike Wavrecan, Josephine Anderson and Sam Graham.

History in 60 – 6 x 30 docuseries

Journalist and author John Loeppky wants to tell the stories of Canada’s evolving disability history … and he wants to do it in 60 seconds. In each episode, John will dig into a moment of disability history and then take on the challenge of fitting it all into one minute. History in 60 is produced by Barbershop Films (Historica Canada Heritage Minutes).

Untitled April Hubbard documentary – 1 x 60 documentary

This powerful documentary follows April Hubbard, a determined advocate with a tethered spinal cord and chronic pain, who is navigating the end of her life. April’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and her courageous decision to share her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) journey sparks an emotional and thought-provoking narrative. This documentary is produced by Mirror Image Media.

Returning Series

Returning series include Season 2 of Game Changers, Season 2 of Underdog Inc., Season 2 of Got Game, Season 2 of Pretty Blind, Season 2 of Crip Trip, Season 2 of The Squeaky Wheel: Canada, Season 7 of Postcards From… Season 10 of Our Community and a brand new All Access Comedy special.

All AMI-tv originals are available post-broadcast on demand at AMI+.

From a media release:

After a successful first All Access Comedy, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and Pilot Light Productions, in association with Ha!ifax ComedyFest, are excited to announce the second special—hosted by international comic superstar D.J. Demers—debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

All Access Comedy is a stand-up special like no other, with comedians from the disability community coming together to celebrate their unique outlook on life for a packed audience of all abilities.

What is it like to use hearing aids? What are the challenges associated with cerebral palsy? What is it like to navigate the world when you are blind? What is it like to process life on the Autism Spectrum? All Access Comedy answers these questions and many more. The performances are observational, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny.

All Access Comedy is hosted by JUNO-nominated stand-up comedy veteran D.J. Demers (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan), who starred in his own AMI/CBC series One More Time, currently available on AMI+, in 2024. When he’s not busy with TV projects, Demers tours extensively on the comedy club circuit in both Canada and the U.S.

All Access Comedy features performances by Ontario comic and motivational speaker Michael McCreary, who started performing at 12 years of age, channeling his experiences on the Autism Spectrum into comedy gold; Toronto-based comedian Joze Piranian, originally from Lebanon, who jokes that as a child, his speech impediment obliged him to stutter in four different languages; Toronto writer and performer Dan Barra-Berger, who knows what it’s like to navigate Canada’s biggest city using a white cane; and New York City-based American comedian Tina Friml, who started her career at small-town comedy clubs in Vermont and now tours extensively, including appearing on network late-night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

All Access Comedy was recorded in front of a live audience at the Spatz Theatre in Halifax as part of the 2024 Ha!ifax ComedyFest. Arrangements were made to meet the needs of the diverse audience in attendance. Rows of seats were removed to create prime viewing spots for wheelchair users. A simultaneous subtitling system (CART) was provided on-site to assist Deaf and/or hard of hearing audience members. To accommodate American Sign Language users, a live ASL interpreter was on stage. The live production was overseen by a professional Accessibility Coordinator at both the planning and execution stages.

All Access Comedy debuts Friday, February 7, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Stream the first All Access Comedy special anytime, for free, on AMI+.

All Access Comedy is produced by Halifax-based Pilot Light Productions.

Tag Archives: All Access Comedy

AMI-tv announces 2025-26 production slate

Get ready to laugh again! AMI’s second All Access Comedy special debuts February 7 on AMI-tv and AMI+