TLC ORDERS SERIES ABOUT TRANSGENDER TEEN JAZZ JENNINGS AND HER FAMILY
For the average teenager, life can be a whirlwind: between school, friends, dating, family, and more, they face profound change and intense emotion. But, it's even more complicated for 14 year-old Jazz Jennings... her daily life includes all of these things, plus the fact that she was assigned male at birth.
TLC has ordered a new non-scripted series, with the working title ALL THAT JAZZ, following Jazz and her family's complex, loving, and fascinating story. The 11-episode series is produced by This Is Just A Test, and is scheduled to premiere this summer.
"We know that families come in all shapes and sizes, but at their core, they are all about love, acceptance, and support. Only TLC can tell this family's story in way that celebrates and demystifies difference in an effort to help create a world without prejudice," said Marjorie Kaplan, Group President, TLC & Animal Planet.
"Jazz's story is universal, yet unique, and we're proud to partner with her family to share it with TLC's audience. Jazz may beknown as an author and activist, but she's first and foremost a teenage girl with a big, brave heart, living a remarkable life," said Nancy Daniels, General Manager, TLC.
From early childhood, Jazz expressed her desire for all things typically associated with girls, but it wasn't simply about clothes and toys - she wanted to be seen as the girl she knew she was. With the support of her parents, doctors and experts, that dream has come true. Since her 5th birthday party when she was allowed to wear a girl's rainbow colored bathing suit, Jazz has gone through life as her true female self.
Now, as Jazz enters adolescence, she is learning to navigate how a transgender teen approaches dating, sleepovers, as well as avoiding male puberty, all while she prepares to enter high school in the fall.
Through it all, her extremely supportive family surrounds her:
Greg and Jeanette: Jazz's parents have been friends since they were kids. They have encouraged Jazz to be who she is, but now worry about what's next as Jazz enters adolescence and spreads her wings.
Ari: Jazz's older sister, a freshman in college who is passionate about music. They are extremely close and Jazz looks up to Ari as her supportive big sister.
Griffen & Sander: Jazz's 17-year-old twin brothers, who are juniors in high school. They watched what they thought was their baby brother become their baby sister and are now extremely protective and loyal big brothers.
Jack & Jacky: Jazz's maternal grandparents, who live nearby and are very close with the family. At first, they had trouble understanding Jazz's difference, but have since fully embraced their granddaughter.
About TLC
Offering remarkably relatable real-life stories without judgment, the network celebrates the reality that "everyone needs a little TLC." TLC's hit series share everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life's milestone moments such as wedding-themed programs anchored by Say Yes To The Dress. In 2014, TLC was a top 10 cable network with women, with 30 series averaging 1 million P2+ viewers or more, including two series that averaged 3 million P2+ viewers or more: 19 Kids and Counting and The Little Couple.
TLC is a global brand available in more than 95 million homes in the US and 303 million households in 190 markets internationally. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC through social media on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and @TLC on Twitter as well as On Demand services, YouTube and mobile platforms. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA,DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching more than 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.
|