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Little Person Dale Kristensen tackles new jobs, adventures and makes new friends as AMI’s Underdog Inc. returns June 26 on AMI-tv and AMI+

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From a media release:

After a first season that saw docuseries Underdog Inc. become the No. 1 most-watched program ever on AMI-tv and AMI+, AMI—in partnership with Big Time Decent Productions (Rust Valley Restorers)—is thrilled to announce the Season 2 return on Friday, June 26, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Navigating the brutal terrain and unforgiving weather of the Western Canadian mountains, star Dale Kristensen—who is a Little Person—battles blizzards, breakdowns and backbreaking labour to prove skill and determination matter more than size. From wrangling livestock on his dad’s farm, to high-risk deliveries and near impossible backroad recoveries, Dale proves that no job is too big or too small. 

In Season 2, Dale is undergoing major back surgery to alleviate the increased pain he faces every step, every breath, every day. With physical limitations forcing Dale to step back from the front lines, the season shifts its focus to the emotional and logistical realities of recovery: relearning how to lead, how to ask for help from his family and friends and how to show strength without doing it all alone.

Season 2 is about more than business; it’s about rebuilding lives. Gritty, honest and full of heart, Underdog Inc. champions the people Canada too often overlooks: those who fall, get up and figure it out together.

“Season 2 of Underdog Inc. raises the stakes in every way, with Dale Kristensen returning from major back surgery and proving once again that resilience is at the heart of this series,” says Executive Producer Matthew Shewchuk. “With AMI’s trust and support—and after driving record viewership with over 200,000 in Live +7—Underdog Inc. is being built into a long-running series in the spirit of Rust Valley Restorers, grounded in real stakes, real people and stories that stick.”

“When Underdog Inc. became one of AMI’s most-watched original series in our history, it confirmed what we already knew; that our audience is hungry for stories that are gritty, real and unfiltered,” says Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. “Dale, Gripp, Mike and the whole crew don’t just represent disability, they’re telling a story that hasn’t been told before. Season 2 goes deeper and the stakes are higher. AMI is proud to be the home of Underdog Inc.”

Dale Kristensen

Dale Kristensen is a trucker, heavy equipment operator, mechanic and salvage hand based in Barrière, B.C. Three months after major back surgery linked to complications from achondroplasia, Dale is determined to get off pain medication, get a clear head and start working again. Driven, stubborn and resourceful, Dale is trying to rebuild his business and confidence while showing his son, Cooper, what resilience looks like.

Cooper

Cooper is Dale’s nine-year-old son and constant sidekick. He rides along on jobs, helps in the yard, learns strap tricks from Mike Hall and pitches in when Dale starts fixing trucks at home. Whether he is bringing Dale a morning coffee, reacting to a new machine or heading to his first hockey game with the family, Cooper is woven into Dale’s work and life.

Caden

Caden is a friend of Dale’s from Vancouver Island who re-enters his orbit just as business starts to pick up. A fellow Little Person, he previously teamed up with Dale on a backroads recovery and underwent the same spinal fusion surgery a few years earlier, giving them an instant connection and mutual respect. Dale takes Caden under his wing during a month-long stay in Barrière during his semester off from university, showing him the ropes of backroad recoveries.

Mike Hall

Mike Hall is Dale’s longtime friend and a seasoned restoration expert with a yard full of vintage vehicles. Blunt, funny, and practical, he’s as quick to help Dale land a deal as he is to call out mistakes during a tough tow. Mike plays a key role in getting Dale back on track, helping him reclaim his F550 hotshot truck, driving him to Pemberton, B.C., to check out a new tow rig and fabricating a custom bumper when needed.

Gripp

Gripp is one of Dale’s key guys on the road. Born missing seven fingers, he’s undergone more than 80 corrective surgeries and spent much of his early life in hospitals, an experience that’s given him a deep understanding of pain, recovery and adaptation. He brings that resilience to every job, from hauling a stranded tent trailer out of the mountains to helping restoration expert Mike Hall transport vintage vehicles over punishing logging roads.

Want to learn even more about Dale and the stars of Underdog Inc.? Check out exclusive content on AMI’s YouTube channel.

Underdog Inc. airs Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream Season 1 anytime, for free, on AMI+.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary, Underdog Inc.

Taking on jobs built for giants, Little Person Dale Kristensen stars in AMI’s new docuseries Underdog Inc., debuting July 11 on AMI-tv and AMI+

From a media release:

Following Dale Kristensen, a Little Person navigating life in a small mountain town in the interior of British Columbia, AMI, in partnership with Big Time Decent Productions (Rust Valley Restorers), is thrilled to announce the debut of Underdog Inc., Friday, July 11, at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv and AMI+.

Underdog Inc. is an adrenaline-fueled 8×60 docuseries following Dale Kristensen—heavy-machinery operator, truck driver and mechanic—who stands just four-foot-two but takes on jobs built for giants.

Navigating the brutal terrain and unforgiving weather of the Western Canadian mountains, Dale battles blizzards, breakdowns and backbreaking labour to prove that skill and determination matter more than size. From wrangling livestock on his dad’s farm, to high-risk hot-shot deliveries and near impossible backroad recoveries, Dale proves that no job is too big or too small.

Born with dwarfism, Dale has never let his disability define him. This resilience and dogged determination are qualities he is passing onto his seven-year-old son, Cooper, who is also a Little Person. Living in a world that is not designed for them, Dale is forced to adapt in every aspect of life. From grocery shopping and cooking to farm work and driving enormous machines, he must be creative to get the job done.

As previously announced, Season 2 of Underdog Inc. is in production throughout the interior of British Columbia this summer.

Want to learn even more about Dale and the stars of Underdog Inc.? Check out exclusive content on AMI’s YouTube channel.

About Dale Kristensen
Dale Kristensen is a Little Person with a big passion for enormous machines. Born with achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism, Dale has spent his life adapting—and excelling—in a world built for taller people. Growing up on his family farm, he fell in love with mechanics and machinery at a young age, driving tractors around the fields and helping his dad on the farm.

As a teenager, Dale could be found in the workshop stripping down engines, diagnosing problems and rebuilding them with ease. Despite the challenges that come from being four-foot-two, Dale was determined to forge a living as a heavy machinery operator, mechanic and backroad delivery driver. His work has taken him through some of Canada’s most epic and unforgiving terrain. Whatever the weather, whatever the load, Dale has made a name for himself as someone who gets the job done—no excuses.

After years in Alberta’s construction industry, Dale returned to Barrière, B.C., to be closer to his father and two sisters. For Dale, family is everything, but nothing drives him more than his son, Cooper. Providing for Cooper is Dale’s ultimate purpose, and he’ll stop at nothing to build a better life for him.

Underdog Inc. airs Fridays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv. Stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+.

About Big Time Decent Productions
Founded in 2020, Big Time Decent Productions is a Vancouver-based production company that develops and produces unscripted and scripted series, feature films and digital content for global audiences. Founder Matthew Shewchuk is an Executive Producer behind the hit factual series Rust Valley Restorers, which airs domestically on HISTORY and internationally on Netflix. For more information visit bigtimedecent.com or @bigtimedecent.

About AMI
AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services—AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French—and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Featured

AMI-tv announces 2025-26 production slate

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+.

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Adapting, Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big Time Decent Productions announces greenlights, partners with AMI on new and returning slate of originals

From a media release:

Vancouver-based production company Big Time Decent Productions has announced greenlights on a slate of scripted and unscripted content for AMI. Marking the production company’s first scripted series, Adapting (6×30) is a bold new dramedy about navigating high school love while living with cerebral palsy. Underdog Inc. (8×60), a docuseries that follows Dale Kristensen (Backroad Truckers, pictured above), a little person navigating life in a small mountain town in the interior of British Columbia, has been renewed for a second season.

“Building on our successful foundation in unscripted television, we are excited to announce our first scripted series, Adapting,” said Matthew Shewchuk, Founder and Head of Production, Big Time Decent Productions. “We’re especially thrilled to be working with our partners at AMI on this bold new series and to start production on Season 2 of Underdog Inc.”

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 Rachael Ransom and Garner Ransom, the series is inspired by Rachael’s real-life experiences with cerebral palsy, offering a long-overdue, unfiltered look at disability. Executive producers include Matthew Shewchuk, René Brar, Juliana Wimbles, Eve Zhou, and Jeff Kinnon. Bread & Better Films, Big Time Decent’s scripted division, will begin production in the Winter of 2025 throughout the Lower Mainland.

“Adapting brings a perspective we rarely see on screen—it’s sharp, funny, and rooted in lived experience. We’re proud to be producing homegrown content with global ambitions. Canadian stories can travel—and this one’s built to,” said René Brar, Head of Development, Big Time Decent Productions.

Following little person Dale Kristensen as he juggles fatherhood and runs a trucking business on the treacherous backroads of Western Canada, Season 2 of Underdog Inc. will be in production throughout the interior of BC this summer. Season 1 will premiere Friday, July 11th at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on AMI-tv and AMI+.

“Season 1 of Underdog Inc. will strike a real chord with audiences—Dale’s story is equal parts raw, inspiring, and wildly entertaining. We’re excited to dive back into his world for Season 2, where the stakes are higher, the roads are rougher, and Dale’s just getting started,” said Jeff Kinnon, VP of Factual, Big Time Decent Productions.

“AMI is thrilled to partner with Big Time Decent again on Season 2 of Underdog Inc., as well as our groundbreaking new upcoming series, Adapting. Not only are these shows entertaining but they are unlike anything else on Canadian screens thanks to the exceptional talent and creativity of these producers. These are two series you won’t want to miss!” said Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production, AMI.

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Featured, Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Big Time Decent Productions in production on four new unscripted originals, launches new scripted division Bread & Better Films

From a media release:

Vancouver-based production company Big Time Decent Productions has announced that it is in production on four new docuseries and is expanding its unscripted slate to include a feature documentary, an IMAX nature documentary, and a new automotive vertical for YouTube including flagship channels Rust Bros and Wildman Garage. The company has also shared details on the launch of its new scripted division, Bread & Better Films, and a new partnership with Verve Talent and Literary Agency out of Los Angeles.

Big Time Decent Productions is currently in production on new docuseries with Corus Entertainment, as well as Bell Media. Underdog Inc., which has been greenlit by AMI, is a new docuseries following the life of Dale Kristensen, a little person raising a child while running a trucking business in small town BC. The company has also had a fourth docuseries recently greenlit by a Canadian broadcaster with a formal announcement coming soon.

“After a lot of hard work from our talented team, we are thrilled to be announcing some major company milestones. Since our launch in 2020, we have had the incredible opportunity to share fascinating stories of remarkable characters with global audiences through our unscripted content. Off the heels of this success, we look forward to continuing to expand our unscripted offering while ramping up our scripted development slate with Bread & Better Films,” said Matthew Shewchuk, Founder and Head of Production, Big Time Decent Productions. “Despite the overall state of the industry, we’ve experienced steady growth in our first four years and will continue to build on that foundation to position ourselves as a key Canadian content producer.”  

Bread & Better Films, Big Time Decent Production’s new scripted division will focus on developing and producing feature films and scripted series. The new arm launched in partnership with Big Time Decent’s René Brar and Jeff Kinnon. The company is also bringing in industry veteran Robert Vroom as Producer. Vroom has produced a wide range of feature films including Blood Quantum (2019), You Can Live Forever (2022), and several TV movies. Bread & Better Films also welcomes writer, producer, and actor Juliana Wimbles to serve as Development Producer for the new label. Bringing 20 years of industry experience, Wimbles appeared as a regular on ABC’s The Good Doctor (2019) and is a familiar talent with the Hallmark Channel, having written six feature films for the broadcaster.

“We’re incredibly excited to announce the launch of Bread & Better Films and to have Rob and Juliana joining us. Our team has deep roots in the scripted world, and we look forward to expanding that side of the business and building a robust scripted slate together,” said René Brar, Head of Development, Bread & Better Films.

After building a successful foundation in unscripted television, Big Time Decent Productions is diversifying their unscripted offering, producing a feature documentary that will take part in a festival run in the fall, as well as their first IMAX nature documentary targeting a 2025 distribution. Following the enormous success of their highly acclaimed show Rust Valley Restorers (above), the production company is finding innovative ways of bringing automotive programming to a loyal fanbase with a collection of talent-driven YouTube channels, including Rust Bros and Wildman Garage, among others. Together these channels have accumulated over 100 million views across platforms in the first half of 2024.

The company has also signed with Verve Talent and Literary Agency, one of the fastest-growing and most-reputable talent agencies in Los Angeles.

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