I Have Nothing

"I Have Nothing" is absolutely hilarious and wildly original. Carolyn Taylor's passion for figure skating meets her genius for comedy in the most delightful way. If you have a great sense of humour, you will love it. If you don't, you might want to keep on skating away. The cameos make this so much better!

Created by and starring Carolyn Taylor, we follow her goal of professionally choreographing an Olympic-level figure skating routine to Whitney Houston's classic I Have Nothing. A somewhat simple premise with astronomically complex actualities, what started as a bit during a stand-up routine slowly becomes reality as Carolyn discovers the world of figure skating first hand, and learns the staggering amount of effort and coordination that goes into what is ultimately a 4 minute performance. A fan of Carolyn from her work on Baroness Von Sketch, I honestly wasn't immediately sold by the first episode, as her nonchalantness about the whole thing, and surprising unpreparedness, had me considerably more stressed out than it was enjoyable, as she attempted to employ many top-tier professionals to achieve a seemingly impossible task. While I'm sure there was some fibbing for effect, and minor exaggeration, it was eventually so fun to watch so many around her (and herself at points) panic at the sheer amount that needed to be done for this to be pulled off, and in the end it was a joy to see what all of them built together. Definitely not a typical reality / comedy program by any sense, Carolyn's personality is the star of this show, even as she's surrounded by so many greats. Throughout, while again deeply frustrating at times in her almost indifferent preparation, she is kind, curious, and just generally seems a joy to be around. While not a laugh out loud sort of comedy, I was certainly smiling throughout, and seeing what it all lead to was a treat, even for someone like myself who was never previously into figure skating in really any capacity. Short at only 6 episodes, I was a big fan of this series and if you're into skating or it seems your type of thing I would highly recommend.

The concept for this show is a bit ridiculous: it's about comedian (Carolyn) who decides she absolutely must choreograph a figure skating performance for Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing". Does she have the rights to the song? No. Can she skate? Not really. Does she have dance experience. No. She has nothing other than a wild passion for this song, a vision, and a relentless determination.

I know this sounds silly and you must be like, I why would I watch this though? Who cares? I thought that too.

I put this on in the background while cooking dinner and couldn't look away. My husband joined me midway and he got equally sucked in. Binged the whole series in two days. I laughed, I cried, I clapped (!?) and left feeling like it's high time I take on some completely ridiculous and challenging project. I can't recommend it enough. A hilarious feel good show that will leave you feeling inspired.

Beyond the tent poles of this show that immediately draw interest (the impossibly affable Mae Martin, a Santa's sleigh of 80's nostalgia as well as figure skating royalty), this show is not only a journey into what it means to dream, but what it means to "be".

Throughout six episodes, the show's creator and star Carolyn takes the audience on an intimate exploration of the magical, terrifying and sometimes panic-inducing experience of dream fulfilment. As humans not only do we arrive and exit this world alone, we are condemned to spend the balance of our lives prisoners of our own thoughts. And yet we are at our finest when we channel all our insecurities into chasing dreams, by opening ourselves up to change and allowing others to take part in them. That is the most satisfying (if somewhat subtle) take-away from this show; that thanks to the support and engagement of a community, a figure skating neophyte was able to choreograph world champions to a platinum charting mega hit by Whitney Houston, that all began as whimsical lark while stuck in traffic. In a world where tribalism has often become an impediment to progress, "I Have Nothing" is a hilarious example of what can happen when you mix a dream with the power of a tribe.

However, once you allow your mind to understand that there is NOTHING at stake, it both diminishes as well as puts into perspective, that what we are watching is more produced than, let's say, authentic - and when I say produced I mean it twofold - the latter being that the end of episode 1 we get this information that increases the jeopardy - again let me add, the jeopardy that is nonexistent - and I strongly believe that moment with her consulting choreographer, is 'scripted' or strongly produced - IF that's the case then the remaining show is suspect as to what we are doing here - also as a afterthought, it's evident that this crush on Witt in formative years as well as the visceral connection to the music, have a profound affect on both guiding (obviously) but moreso, possibly wanting to recapture something long since gone - this all being said, its a tad egotistical to have spent all these resources and harange us viewers as an audience to watch this indisputable vanity project - but whatever... It's good! And entertaining sooo, isn't THAT everything? (it is) (lol)