Latest news with #PrettyBlind
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
New N.S. comedy series pretty real, pretty funny and pretty blind
A new Nova Scotia comedy is breaking barriers and bringing big laughs. 'Pretty Blind' is inspired by true stories about living with low vision and albinism. 'It is, to the best of our knowledge, the first time someone with low vision has been the lead in a comedy series,' said co-creator Jonathan Torrens. 'It's the opportunity of a lifetime,' says the show's lead Jennie Bovard, who plays a fictional version of herself. 'I'm just going about my day and I'm encountering environments and people that mean well but maybe just sort of miss the mark.' 'Jenny Bovard is low vision and has albinism, but that is only one fraction of her character,' said Torrens. 'She's a marathon runner. She loves cycling. She's a craft beer enthusiast. One of the things that I loved about her instantly is she is so comfortable in her skin, and happy to educate.' Beyond the laughs, the show also aims to spark more understanding. 'People without a personal connection; I would love those people in the audience to take away some awareness, but never feel bad about not having known something ahead of time,' Bovard said. Production also came up with subtle moves to help low-vision audiences follow the story. 'You might realize that characters use each other's names more. 'Good morning, Katie! Hi Jonathan, how are you?' so that someone with low vision can go, 'Oh got it, I know who's talking now,'' said Torrens. Behind the scenes, the crew also had to adapt the typical television set to be more accessible. 'When you think about a TV set, there are bright lights everywhere. There's expensive gear all over the place,' said Bovard. 'So we really had to problem solve a lot of things and we did that successfully. I've never felt more heard and seen and understood in any other work environment in terms of access needs.' Adding to the East Coast vibe, the series features a soundtrack packed with local rock music. 'Pretty Blind' premieres Tuesday at 9 p.m. on AMI-tv and streams for free on AMI+.
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Partial sight and albinism become comedy gold in AMI-tv's new series, Pretty Blind
TORONTO, June 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Determined to bring lightness and laughs to her experience navigating the world-at-large with both albinism and partial sight, Jennie Bovard, who is legally blind, started a podcast, Low Vision Moments. What began as a mission to build community, turned into a cathartic expression of the frustrations many people with disabilities experience daily. Led by Canadian comedy legend Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Letterkenny) and writer-showrunner Mark Forward (Fargo, Letterkenny), Pretty Blind captures the comedy of Bovard's Low Vision Moments and turns it into Canada's first-ever comedy about blindness led by and about its lead actor. AMI, in partnership with Torrential Pictures, Club Red Productions and Flow Video Inc., launches Pretty Blind on Tuesday, July 8th, at 9 p.m. EST on AMI-tv and AMI+ across Canada. "I started the Low Vision Moments podcast with the intention to connect with others and make people laugh," says Jennie Bovard, lead actor and associate producer of AMI's new series Pretty Blind. "When AMI brought the idea of a TV show and introduced me to Canadian icon Jonathan Torrens, I was thrilled that we might be able to reach more people and make comedy gold out of the frustrations I've experienced as a person with albinism and low vision. Pretty Blind has been a way to change the narrative around disability, empower myself and others in the community, and have fun along the way." Pretty Blind introduces us to Jennie Bonang (Jennie Bovard) as an unlikely and sarcastic hero who is at a crossroads in her life. Jennie, who has albinism and partial sight, has just broken up with her boyfriend, meets constant conflict with her boss at the library, and inherits a new well-meaning but overbearing roommate. We follow Jennie as she navigates life in an inaccessible and uneducated world, as she uses her intelligence and sharp wit to educate others about disability and put them in their respective places. "Jennie has albinism, a complicated love life and no time for your well-meaning but sometimes misinformed nonsense—and we love that about her! Pretty Blind is fearless, funny and unapologetically real," says Cara Nye, Director, Content Development and Production at AMI. "AMI couldn't be more excited to bring it to your screens!" Bovard leads a hilarious ensemble cast including Jacob Hemphill (Roll With It) as Yves; Jessica Barry (FROM) as Veronica; Dan Barra-Berger (All Access Comedy) as Steve; and MJ "Joanne" Miller (Diggstown) as Sandy, alongside a cameo appearance from Jonathan Torrens who also directs a few episodes throughout the season. The Pretty Blind writers' room includes showrunner Mark Forward, producer and director Jonathan Torrens, story editors Bovard and Barra-Berger, writing room coordinator Brad Rivers and writing room assistant Maddie Leigh Murray. Bovard and Rivers are associate producers. Pretty Blind airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on AMI-tv, beginning on July 8th, 2025. Stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+ across Canada. About Flow Video Inc. We make human-centric video that grabs attention and tells your story. Whether you're a small business, large corporation, agency or broadcaster, we can help you create videos that matter. About Torrential Pictures Torrential Pictures is the newly launched production company helmed by Jonathan Torrens as a retooling of the successful Canadian Content Studios which produced several award-winning TV shows and commercials. Torrential Pictures builds on the personal brand of owner Jonathan Torrens and specializes in making good things with good people. Pretty Blind is the second show produced by Torrential Pictures in partnership with Club Red Productions, following the success of 0-60 Driving Academy. About Club Red Productions Club Red Productions is Prince Edward Island's flagship film and television company. Founded by award-winning producer/director Jenna MacMillan, Club Red is committed to bold, creator-driven storytelling with a distinctly East Coast edge. With a growing slate of premium features and series, the company is helping put PEI on the map as the next must-watch hub for Canadian production. 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 and SOURCE Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)
