Karma's World (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Karma's Writer's Block - full transcript
[hip-hop playing]
♪ I found what I'm good at
I'm good with words ♪
♪ Putting together sentences
With nouns and verbs ♪
♪ When it comes to 16
I'm so good with these verses ♪
♪ And do you know what
My favorite place on earth is? ♪
♪ My one and only
It's called macaroni ♪
♪ Whoa, rainbows and ponies? ♪
♪ No, that's baloney! ♪
Something's wrong.
What is going on?
Have you ever looked at a blank page
and not known what to write?
Stick around, I'm gonna
show you what went down.
[hip-hop playing]
[both gasp, groan]
[Karma] This is so messy.
Snorkels, soccer balls.
Old stinky shoes?
-Eww!
-Ugh!
Nasty!
Karma, you're supposed to be cleaning,
not making more of a mess.
Community Cares Week ends tomorrow.
Sorry, Ms. Washington.
So, this Community Cares thing,
the whole neighborhood
volunteers every year?
Yep. We've planted flowers,
cleaned up litter in the park,
and this year, we're all fixing up
the Community Center.
And I built a brand-new invention.
[clears throat]
[belt thwacking]
The Snack Decider!
It decides which snack you should have.
-Huh.
-[device rattling]
[computer voice] You get pickle chips.
-Ugh!
-[Switch laughs]
-Pickle chips.
-Huh?
Wah!
Uh, seems like everyone gets pickle chips.
-I mean, they are the best snack.
-[device rattling]
-Pickle chips.
-[Keys] Huh?
Ah! Don't make me take out your batteries!
-[laughing]
-[voice slowing] Pickle chips…
Huh. What is all this stuff?
Ooh! Ethernet cables and displays.
These would be great for gaming
and streaming and designing
and, and… [sighs]
-They're good for computers.
-Oh.
-Girl, you could have just said that.
-But do they even work?
Sure.
If we put this here, connect
this to that, that should do it.
[computer plays fanfare]
-Whoa!
-Cool!
She's good.
[laughs] I can fix up
all those old computers.
[gasps] It can be
my Community Cares project!
I love it!
But you think you can do it in time
for the final showcase tomorrow?
Uh…
Don't worry, Switch, I'll help.
Today, I'm your computer assistant.
Really, Karma?
-Of course!
-Awesome!
-[Switch] We've got spare cables, and--
-Whoa.
-Huh?
-[Karma] The Kids' Poetry Slam Jam.
[gasps] "We want your poems
about your favorite place in the world,
and the winners will be read live on TV"?
[gasps] Switch!
The whole city could hear my rhymes.
That's huge!
But what am I gonna write about?
The diner? Uh… the park!
Or Madagascar!
You've been to Madagascar?
Nope, so it might be my favorite place,
and I don't even know it yet.
-Hmm.
-Hmm!
We're gonna need more
computer supplies from my place.
Will you help me carry?
-Karma?
-Sure.
My favorite place.
Tokyo!
[gasps] What about outer space?
"When I want to feel at home
or feel brand-new,
I go to my favorite place, which is…
a stinky old shoe"?
[laughs] What?
[clears throat]
-[laughs]
-Let me try that again.
"No worries, no stress,
I'll just start again."
"My favorite place is…
a muddy pig's pen"?
Uh… it is?
[laughs] No, of course not!
That rhyme doesn't make any sense.
What is going on in my brain?
It's all right, you might just
have some writer's block.
Writer's block?
Yeah. It happens to my dad sometimes.
He says it's like
your whole brain's a blank page,
and it's hard to get any good ideas.
[gasps] That's exactly what I have.
But how do I get rid of it?
I'm not sure.
I've just got to concentrate
and keep writing,
and I'm sure it'll get better.
-Okay, gotta go.
-Huh?
So, does that mean you can't help me?
Oh, uh…
Yeah, I should really focus on my poem.
Sorry, Switch.
Nah, I get it.
You gotta get rid of your block.
But I'll help you out
tomorrow morning. I promise.
-Okay, see you, Karm… [sighs]
-[door closes]
[snores, barks]
"My favorite place is…
is…"
[groans]
I've been trying for hours, and nothing.
[straining]
[groans]
[sighs]
-[hip-hop playing]
-♪ Gotta figure out what's stopping me ♪
♪ Gotta figure out what's blocking me ♪
♪ What is my favorite place?
Do I even know? ♪
♪ What am I doing wrong? ♪
♪ Where can I… whoa! ♪
[walls slam]
[screams]
[dog whimpers]
Uh… how's the poem going?
[sighs]
It's been really hard to write.
[scoffs] Poeming is so easy.
Watch.
"Pickle chips, oh, pickle chips,
so pickley and sweet,
they're so good that humans
and dogs want to eat."
[groans] No, Keys.
This is way bigger than that.
[sighs] I have…
writer's block.
[gasps] That's terrible!
-[dog barks]
-What is that?
It's when your brain
can't come up with any good ideas.
-[dog yipping]
-Oh, no! Is it contagious?
I don't want your writer's block.
-[dog whimpers]
-[Karma sighs]
-I don't want it, either.
-[dog whimpering]
[dog whines]
[rattling]
[yawns]
I feel so much better!
So long, writer's block. See you never.
Ahem! "My favorite place makes me happy,
it's my spot to chill."
"My favorite place is…
the sweaty treadmill"?
[groaning]
Good morning!
Who's ready to untangle some wires?
-[sighs]
-Uh-oh. Still have writer's block?
I don't know what to do.
Nothing good is coming out of my brain,
no matter how much I focus.
You know what you should do?
Check the Internet.
Well, couldn't hurt.
"How do you cure writer's block?"
Huh. There's a whole list here.
I'm gonna try them all.
Oh. I thought you were gonna help me
with the computers today.
I have to focus on this poem, Switch.
I can't think about
anything else till it's finished.
It's okay, just promise you'll come
help me finish this afternoon?
Yeah, of course. Hmm…
Well, see ya, I guess.
Hmm… "To cure writer's block,
eat a peanut butter
and jalapeño sandwich"?
[groans]
[crunches]
[gasping, panting]
"To cure writer's block,
try writing upside down."
Hmm.
Whoa!
[dog barks]
[sighs]
"To cure writer's block,
balance on one foot
with a banana on your head."
-[sighs]
-[computer voice] Pickle chips.
-[laughing]
-[Karma] Get back here!
[Keys screaming]
"You wanna know
my favorite place, well, here it is."
"My favorite place will be…
a social studies pop quiz"?
[groans] Writer's block!
[gasps] Karma! I'm so glad you made it.
Better late than never, right? [chuckles]
Uh, Karma?
You in there?
Cos I could really
use your help right now.
Switch, I'm trying to focus!
My poem is due tomorrow,
and I still haven't written a single line.
I know, but Community Cares
begins tonight, and--
I can't, okay?
This poem is really important.
Important. Important?
This computer lab
is for our whole community.
And it was going to be my way to show
this neighborhood how much I care!
How could you think that's not
just as important as your poem?
No, that's not what I--
You promised to help me this weekend,
but instead you've only
been thinking about yourself.
I've been helping you and focusing on you,
and I've been patient
when you keep ignoring me.
And, and…
[sighs] I've gotta go.
[sighs]
I've really messed up.
[grunts]
Almost done…
[computer buzzes, explodes]
[groans]
Hmm, that don't look done.
[sighs] Not even close.
Mm. Wasn't Karma
supposed to be helping you?
Yeah, but she has something
more important to do.
-Actually, I don't.
-Huh?
I'm sorry I broke my promise
to help you this weekend.
You wanted to do something special
for the whole neighborhood,
and I was only thinking about myself.
But now, I'm here to help.
But what about the poetry contest
and fixing your writer's block?
That's not as important to me
as helping my best friend.
-[chuckles]
-[Karma groans]
-Thanks, Karma.
-Okay, a couple questions.
What do I do with this,
and, uh, what is it?
[laughs] Here, let me show you.
And now, let's hear from our next
Community Cares volunteer,
Switch Stein.
She put together
our neighborhood's new Computer Lab.
Thanks, Ms. Washington, but I had help.
-[Karma chuckles]
-Ooh!
Thanks for being there for me.
Of course, Switch.
When I'm with you, it's like…
[gasps] I figured it out!
My favorite place!
I've been trying so hard
to come up with it all weekend.
But when I relaxed
and focused on my friend
instead of my poem…
What is it? What's your favorite place?
[laughs] Thank you, Switch.
You cured my writer's block.
[hip-hop playing]
♪ Hey, I finally got my powers back ♪
♪ I was gone for a minute
Now I'm back on track ♪
♪ Now, that question about
My favorite place in the world ♪
♪ Well, the answer is
Anywhere I hang with my girl ♪
♪ Her name's Switch ♪
♪ Together forever
We have super swag ♪
♪ At the diner
Or brand-new Computer Lab ♪
♪ Best friends are such an inspiration ♪
♪ When you need help
Or have some hesitation ♪
♪ I took a break from the pain I felt ♪
♪ And when I helped her
I really helped myself ♪
♪ So if you ever get stuck
Or get writer's block ♪
♪ Step back for a while
And you'll be back on top ♪
Yeah!
♪ My favorite place is you ♪
♪ And all the things we do ♪
♪ Our friendship is so true ♪
♪ You know I got your back
I know you got my back ♪
♪ There's no replacing you ♪
-[laughing]
-Yes!
-Poetry contest entered.
-[snaps fingers]
And you beat your writer's block.
All I needed was to figure out
my real inspiration.
-[Keys] Pickle chips, oh, pickle chips.
-Huh?
So crunchy, so sour.
They give both humans and dogs
pickle chippy power!
[laughing]
[Keys] I could poemify
all day if I wanted.
[hip-hop playing]
♪ I found what I'm good at
I'm good with words ♪
♪ Putting together sentences
With nouns and verbs ♪
♪ When it comes to 16
I'm so good with these verses ♪
♪ And do you know what
My favorite place on earth is? ♪
♪ My one and only
It's called macaroni ♪
♪ Whoa, rainbows and ponies? ♪
♪ No, that's baloney! ♪
Something's wrong.
What is going on?
Have you ever looked at a blank page
and not known what to write?
Stick around, I'm gonna
show you what went down.
[hip-hop playing]
[both gasp, groan]
[Karma] This is so messy.
Snorkels, soccer balls.
Old stinky shoes?
-Eww!
-Ugh!
Nasty!
Karma, you're supposed to be cleaning,
not making more of a mess.
Community Cares Week ends tomorrow.
Sorry, Ms. Washington.
So, this Community Cares thing,
the whole neighborhood
volunteers every year?
Yep. We've planted flowers,
cleaned up litter in the park,
and this year, we're all fixing up
the Community Center.
And I built a brand-new invention.
[clears throat]
[belt thwacking]
The Snack Decider!
It decides which snack you should have.
-Huh.
-[device rattling]
[computer voice] You get pickle chips.
-Ugh!
-[Switch laughs]
-Pickle chips.
-Huh?
Wah!
Uh, seems like everyone gets pickle chips.
-I mean, they are the best snack.
-[device rattling]
-Pickle chips.
-[Keys] Huh?
Ah! Don't make me take out your batteries!
-[laughing]
-[voice slowing] Pickle chips…
Huh. What is all this stuff?
Ooh! Ethernet cables and displays.
These would be great for gaming
and streaming and designing
and, and… [sighs]
-They're good for computers.
-Oh.
-Girl, you could have just said that.
-But do they even work?
Sure.
If we put this here, connect
this to that, that should do it.
[computer plays fanfare]
-Whoa!
-Cool!
She's good.
[laughs] I can fix up
all those old computers.
[gasps] It can be
my Community Cares project!
I love it!
But you think you can do it in time
for the final showcase tomorrow?
Uh…
Don't worry, Switch, I'll help.
Today, I'm your computer assistant.
Really, Karma?
-Of course!
-Awesome!
-[Switch] We've got spare cables, and--
-Whoa.
-Huh?
-[Karma] The Kids' Poetry Slam Jam.
[gasps] "We want your poems
about your favorite place in the world,
and the winners will be read live on TV"?
[gasps] Switch!
The whole city could hear my rhymes.
That's huge!
But what am I gonna write about?
The diner? Uh… the park!
Or Madagascar!
You've been to Madagascar?
Nope, so it might be my favorite place,
and I don't even know it yet.
-Hmm.
-Hmm!
We're gonna need more
computer supplies from my place.
Will you help me carry?
-Karma?
-Sure.
My favorite place.
Tokyo!
[gasps] What about outer space?
"When I want to feel at home
or feel brand-new,
I go to my favorite place, which is…
a stinky old shoe"?
[laughs] What?
[clears throat]
-[laughs]
-Let me try that again.
"No worries, no stress,
I'll just start again."
"My favorite place is…
a muddy pig's pen"?
Uh… it is?
[laughs] No, of course not!
That rhyme doesn't make any sense.
What is going on in my brain?
It's all right, you might just
have some writer's block.
Writer's block?
Yeah. It happens to my dad sometimes.
He says it's like
your whole brain's a blank page,
and it's hard to get any good ideas.
[gasps] That's exactly what I have.
But how do I get rid of it?
I'm not sure.
I've just got to concentrate
and keep writing,
and I'm sure it'll get better.
-Okay, gotta go.
-Huh?
So, does that mean you can't help me?
Oh, uh…
Yeah, I should really focus on my poem.
Sorry, Switch.
Nah, I get it.
You gotta get rid of your block.
But I'll help you out
tomorrow morning. I promise.
-Okay, see you, Karm… [sighs]
-[door closes]
[snores, barks]
"My favorite place is…
is…"
[groans]
I've been trying for hours, and nothing.
[straining]
[groans]
[sighs]
-[hip-hop playing]
-♪ Gotta figure out what's stopping me ♪
♪ Gotta figure out what's blocking me ♪
♪ What is my favorite place?
Do I even know? ♪
♪ What am I doing wrong? ♪
♪ Where can I… whoa! ♪
[walls slam]
[screams]
[dog whimpers]
Uh… how's the poem going?
[sighs]
It's been really hard to write.
[scoffs] Poeming is so easy.
Watch.
"Pickle chips, oh, pickle chips,
so pickley and sweet,
they're so good that humans
and dogs want to eat."
[groans] No, Keys.
This is way bigger than that.
[sighs] I have…
writer's block.
[gasps] That's terrible!
-[dog barks]
-What is that?
It's when your brain
can't come up with any good ideas.
-[dog yipping]
-Oh, no! Is it contagious?
I don't want your writer's block.
-[dog whimpers]
-[Karma sighs]
-I don't want it, either.
-[dog whimpering]
[dog whines]
[rattling]
[yawns]
I feel so much better!
So long, writer's block. See you never.
Ahem! "My favorite place makes me happy,
it's my spot to chill."
"My favorite place is…
the sweaty treadmill"?
[groaning]
Good morning!
Who's ready to untangle some wires?
-[sighs]
-Uh-oh. Still have writer's block?
I don't know what to do.
Nothing good is coming out of my brain,
no matter how much I focus.
You know what you should do?
Check the Internet.
Well, couldn't hurt.
"How do you cure writer's block?"
Huh. There's a whole list here.
I'm gonna try them all.
Oh. I thought you were gonna help me
with the computers today.
I have to focus on this poem, Switch.
I can't think about
anything else till it's finished.
It's okay, just promise you'll come
help me finish this afternoon?
Yeah, of course. Hmm…
Well, see ya, I guess.
Hmm… "To cure writer's block,
eat a peanut butter
and jalapeño sandwich"?
[groans]
[crunches]
[gasping, panting]
"To cure writer's block,
try writing upside down."
Hmm.
Whoa!
[dog barks]
[sighs]
"To cure writer's block,
balance on one foot
with a banana on your head."
-[sighs]
-[computer voice] Pickle chips.
-[laughing]
-[Karma] Get back here!
[Keys screaming]
"You wanna know
my favorite place, well, here it is."
"My favorite place will be…
a social studies pop quiz"?
[groans] Writer's block!
[gasps] Karma! I'm so glad you made it.
Better late than never, right? [chuckles]
Uh, Karma?
You in there?
Cos I could really
use your help right now.
Switch, I'm trying to focus!
My poem is due tomorrow,
and I still haven't written a single line.
I know, but Community Cares
begins tonight, and--
I can't, okay?
This poem is really important.
Important. Important?
This computer lab
is for our whole community.
And it was going to be my way to show
this neighborhood how much I care!
How could you think that's not
just as important as your poem?
No, that's not what I--
You promised to help me this weekend,
but instead you've only
been thinking about yourself.
I've been helping you and focusing on you,
and I've been patient
when you keep ignoring me.
And, and…
[sighs] I've gotta go.
[sighs]
I've really messed up.
[grunts]
Almost done…
[computer buzzes, explodes]
[groans]
Hmm, that don't look done.
[sighs] Not even close.
Mm. Wasn't Karma
supposed to be helping you?
Yeah, but she has something
more important to do.
-Actually, I don't.
-Huh?
I'm sorry I broke my promise
to help you this weekend.
You wanted to do something special
for the whole neighborhood,
and I was only thinking about myself.
But now, I'm here to help.
But what about the poetry contest
and fixing your writer's block?
That's not as important to me
as helping my best friend.
-[chuckles]
-[Karma groans]
-Thanks, Karma.
-Okay, a couple questions.
What do I do with this,
and, uh, what is it?
[laughs] Here, let me show you.
And now, let's hear from our next
Community Cares volunteer,
Switch Stein.
She put together
our neighborhood's new Computer Lab.
Thanks, Ms. Washington, but I had help.
-[Karma chuckles]
-Ooh!
Thanks for being there for me.
Of course, Switch.
When I'm with you, it's like…
[gasps] I figured it out!
My favorite place!
I've been trying so hard
to come up with it all weekend.
But when I relaxed
and focused on my friend
instead of my poem…
What is it? What's your favorite place?
[laughs] Thank you, Switch.
You cured my writer's block.
[hip-hop playing]
♪ Hey, I finally got my powers back ♪
♪ I was gone for a minute
Now I'm back on track ♪
♪ Now, that question about
My favorite place in the world ♪
♪ Well, the answer is
Anywhere I hang with my girl ♪
♪ Her name's Switch ♪
♪ Together forever
We have super swag ♪
♪ At the diner
Or brand-new Computer Lab ♪
♪ Best friends are such an inspiration ♪
♪ When you need help
Or have some hesitation ♪
♪ I took a break from the pain I felt ♪
♪ And when I helped her
I really helped myself ♪
♪ So if you ever get stuck
Or get writer's block ♪
♪ Step back for a while
And you'll be back on top ♪
Yeah!
♪ My favorite place is you ♪
♪ And all the things we do ♪
♪ Our friendship is so true ♪
♪ You know I got your back
I know you got my back ♪
♪ There's no replacing you ♪
-[laughing]
-Yes!
-Poetry contest entered.
-[snaps fingers]
And you beat your writer's block.
All I needed was to figure out
my real inspiration.
-[Keys] Pickle chips, oh, pickle chips.
-Huh?
So crunchy, so sour.
They give both humans and dogs
pickle chippy power!
[laughing]
[Keys] I could poemify
all day if I wanted.
[hip-hop playing]