this was originally an audio clip, but I have found the actual video!(yay me) You can change the zoom to 125% if you want to see it in better quality.
http://www.nytimes.whsites.net/talk/clips.php
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tracey Ullman uses Dr. Mary Lee Amerian products
http://maryleeamerian.tumblr.com
Dr. Mary Lee Amerian’s skin care line is fabulous. Recently I finished filming a show and found my skin to be tired and dull looking. After two days of using Mary Lee Amerian’s skin are products, I felt the glow return. The products made my skin feel clean and firm. Now Dr. Amerian can reach out to others with her new skin care line, which I highly recommend.”—Tracey Ullman
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tracey Ullman Attends "Julie&Julia" Premiere
Today 6:00 AM PDT by Marc Malkin
Last night's red carpet screening of Julie & Julia attracted a bevy of celebs, including the movie's costars Meryl Streep, Amy Adams (who, by the way, looked fetching in a white Roland Mouret dress and Tiffany jewels) and Chris Messina, T.R. Knight, Tracey Ullman, Ashley Greene, Kate Flannery, Giada De Laurentiis, and also from the film Jane Lynch and Mary Lynn Rajskub.
Streep stars as the late world-famous chef, Julia Child, while Adams plays a New York City government worker who decides to spend a year making every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Childs' book first published in 1961.
With the movie centered so much around food, we gotta admit we were famished by the time the end credits started rolling. Thankfully, we found an In-N-Out burger just steps away from the theater.
Last night's red carpet screening of Julie & Julia attracted a bevy of celebs, including the movie's costars Meryl Streep, Amy Adams (who, by the way, looked fetching in a white Roland Mouret dress and Tiffany jewels) and Chris Messina, T.R. Knight, Tracey Ullman, Ashley Greene, Kate Flannery, Giada De Laurentiis, and also from the film Jane Lynch and Mary Lynn Rajskub.
Streep stars as the late world-famous chef, Julia Child, while Adams plays a New York City government worker who decides to spend a year making every recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Childs' book first published in 1961.
With the movie centered so much around food, we gotta admit we were famished by the time the end credits started rolling. Thankfully, we found an In-N-Out burger just steps away from the theater.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
State of the Union: A Very Funny Show
by GRACE ALEXANDER
JULY 24, 2009
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Women don’t watch The Simpson’s .....
or at least, we don’t admit to it. We sigh and roll our eyes at the crassness of animation, and shake our heads at the men and children parked in front of the set. Come late night TV, however, we grab that pint of mint chocolate chip and sneak off to the guest bedroom to laugh our heads off at the person behind it all. Tracey Ullman was FOX Network’s first real star. She could act, sing and dance – and her impersonations would bring the house down. Ullman rocked the house with the Tracey Ullman Show for years, inspiring the the Simpson family and spawning a series of Ullman shows. She made it big as Britain’s most wealthy comedienne – then became an American citizen and shifted gears. She appeared in the wildly popular Ally McBeal as the self absorbed lawyer’s therapist, made plenty of Ullman specials on HBO, and most recently made the move to Showtime. Tracey is everything women have to secretly admire in another woman. She made it in the old boys club – comedy 25 years ago wasn’t kind to the fairer sex, but Ullman blasted her way in. In her State of the Union (which has been received with thunderous acclaim) Tracey takes full advantage of her citizenship to poke fun at her chosen country – and we can’t help but laugh along. Quietly. So as not to wake our husbands. She was the inspiration for the Simpson’s, after all! Blush!!! Check out Tracey Ullman and catch up on State of the Union.
JULY 24, 2009
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Women don’t watch The Simpson’s .....
or at least, we don’t admit to it. We sigh and roll our eyes at the crassness of animation, and shake our heads at the men and children parked in front of the set. Come late night TV, however, we grab that pint of mint chocolate chip and sneak off to the guest bedroom to laugh our heads off at the person behind it all. Tracey Ullman was FOX Network’s first real star. She could act, sing and dance – and her impersonations would bring the house down. Ullman rocked the house with the Tracey Ullman Show for years, inspiring the the Simpson family and spawning a series of Ullman shows. She made it big as Britain’s most wealthy comedienne – then became an American citizen and shifted gears. She appeared in the wildly popular Ally McBeal as the self absorbed lawyer’s therapist, made plenty of Ullman specials on HBO, and most recently made the move to Showtime. Tracey is everything women have to secretly admire in another woman. She made it in the old boys club – comedy 25 years ago wasn’t kind to the fairer sex, but Ullman blasted her way in. In her State of the Union (which has been received with thunderous acclaim) Tracey takes full advantage of her citizenship to poke fun at her chosen country – and we can’t help but laugh along. Quietly. So as not to wake our husbands. She was the inspiration for the Simpson’s, after all! Blush!!! Check out Tracey Ullman and catch up on State of the Union.
Tracey Interviewed at Mel Brooks Tribute
Actress and comedian Tracey Ullman is interviewed at an Academy Tribute to Mel Brooks at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills, California July 24, 2009.
REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Fingers Crossed!
2 Monday's ago I dropped my letter to Tracey into the mailbox extremely excited because I had finally sent her one after all this time. It took me many attempts to get the letter under 3 pages, and finally wrote the perfect one. I even put a star above her name on the envelope, to represent the star above her head, and made sure to explain it by doing this: "-> the star above your head".
I'm really hoping that the letter has reached her, and hopeful that she sends one back! I know that I'll have a long time to wait, but oh boy will it be worth it!!
I'm really hoping that the letter has reached her, and hopeful that she sends one back! I know that I'll have a long time to wait, but oh boy will it be worth it!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Extremely Happy!
So, I have been doing these Lipsyncs for youtube, and have been posting them on my blog, my facebook page and the Tracey Ullman Fanclub group on Yahoo. I have been messaging a friend over facebook, who has been so incredibly kind to me, and is a fellow Tracey fan. Not as much anymore, but that doesn't really matter anyways. I want to share with you some really nice things he's told me. I'll keep his name anonymous.
How nice is that?? this makes me feel so incredibly good! Thank you. You know who you are.
i just watched it..it really makes me laugh..you clearly can act and it's such a compliment to Tracey that you're doing this. There was this old comedian, Jerry Van Dyke and he made his whole act out of lip syncing to old Lone Ranger episodes..he would switch back and forth between characters...the scenes weren't funny on their own but when he performed them with his lypsyncing, they had people on the floor in hysterics...i think it's something like that, that you're keying into..keep going..you're really good.
when i see you get one of her mannerisms, it really makes me laugh
just remember Alan and Tracey really need you...you're really good for their business particularly being so young.. and what you do is such a compliment to her...take what she gives you, learn and make a career out of it for yourself...you have such promise.
Your making Tracey cool again. She owes you.
How nice is that?? this makes me feel so incredibly good! Thank you. You know who you are.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tracey wins "Wow Moment Award"
The Wow Moment Award
Comedian Tracey Ullman really shocked me when I saw her in this glorious red Doo.Ri gown with an asymmetrical neckline.
I don’t think I have ever seen her look so fabulous.
TRACEY TAKES ON...SEASON 3&4 OUT ON DVD!
This 4-DVD set contains the final two seasons of the HBO comedy series "Tracey Takes On..." based on characters created and performed by Tracey Ullman. Each episode focuses on a particular subject (Sports, Love, Agents, Loss, etc.) in a sequence of hilarious scenes involving a number of Ullman-created characters.
BONUS FEATURES Includes 72 Minutes of Never- Before-Seen Shows!
Special Guests include: Hugh Laurie (House) Julie Kavner (The Simpsons) Cheech Marin (Cars, Cheech & Chong) Michael McKean (Spinal Tap, Best In Show) Billy Connolly (Boondock Saints, The Aristocrats) Jennifer Jason Leigh (Fast Times At Ridgemont High) Corbin Bernsen (Psych, Major League)
Get Your Copy Today!
Possible Short Comedy Skit for Tracey
I'm sorry if some of you don't understand some bits, Most of this has been based on "Tracey Takes On" and "State of The Union", mixed together, with some phrases added in that she used in books and interviews. Also, I am not doing this to be mean.. AT ALL...whatever I've written is all in good fun, and for a good laugh!
Ruthy Rogaine= Ruby Romaine, Bobby=Buddy
"Wrinkly Work"
Imagine Tracey Ullman 30 years from now. She's still doing her impressions and big make-ups that she did on State of The Union. She's on the set of a movie playing Judi Dench, Who's fed up of playing the Mother roles. It is early Morning, around 5 AM
(Int.) Sally(Make-Up/Special Effects Make-Up): Good Morning Tracey! Ready for Make-Up?
Tracey: Oh yes Dear. Ready as I'll ever be. I've been in the chair for three hours before getting Make-Up done.
(Sally leads Tracey to the Make-Up Trailer to start on Tracey's transformation. Show Tracey going in, sitting down and then fade, and put " 2 1/2 hours later" on the black screen )
(Int.) ( Fade up)
(Sally has been called on her cellphone, and Tracey's Transformation is complete)
Sally: (On the phone) Yeah. Really?? OH MY GOD! I'll be there ASAP! (Hangs up) Tracey. I'm so sorry but I've just been told my Sister has gone into Labour! I have to go.
Tracey: ( Cheerfully) All right then off you go...(confused) But who's going to do my Make-Up?
Sally: ( Grabbing her Sweater and Bag) Um...Someone who's been in the business for a while. Her name is Ruthy I think.
Tracey: Alright. You'd better be going. Don't want to keep you waiting. See you around! ( Sally leaves, closing the door behind her)
( Tracey is thinking to herself when Ruthy comes in )
Ruthy: ( in a very Ruby Romaine voice) Hey There Honey!
( Tracey looks at Ruthy in the mirror, wide-eyed and thinks "Now that's Freaky...". She also thinks that Ruthy looks exactly like her character Ruby Romaine, only Ruthy's breasts are drastically smaller )
Ruthy: I'm Ruthy...Ruthy Rogaine. I know my last name is the name for a hair growth formula, but I Married a feller who was the Son and Co-Founder of the company. (Pause) He tried givin' me a hickie once...left his teeth on my neck. Anywhoo!
Tracey: (V.O thought) This keeps getting weirder
Tracey: Nice to meet you Ruthy
Ruthy: Yeah Honey, You too! Okay.. let's get started shall we. I gotta go grab my kit from the Buick. Be back in a flash!(Ruthy leaves and Tracey smoothes her long hair, then places it behind one ear )
( Various crashing noises come from outside the Trailer, followed by "Jeesus!" and "Goddam thing!" etc. from Ruthy, Ruthy comes back into the Trailer huffing and puffing.)
Ruthy: (Puts the kit down with a bang on the table) Jesus. I shouldn't have smoked for all those years you know Tracey. Now that's a habit with staying power! ( Laughs)
( Ruthy brings the kit over to where Tracey is sitting, and stops) Hold on Honey. I gotta do my morning stretch. (Ruthy rolls her ankles) (Says while rolling them) And in a circle and in a circle, and around we go, and around we go...
( Ruthy's stretch seems to be getting weirder, and Tracey can't help but smile, and tries to hold in a laugh)
Ruthy: Okay! I'm finito. Let's get started. (Ruthy starts applying Tracey's Make-up)
(While Applying) So, Where are you from? Scandanavia?
( Tracey looks puzzled and thinks "What??" but then remembers that she may be Scandanavian because of her Ancestry)
Tracey: No Actually. I'm originally from England, but have been living in California.
Ruthy: LA huh? The big LA ( Pronounced 'Lay') Whoops...only kidding (Awkward pause)
Ruthy: I remember when L.A used to be nicer. Now it has all these hookers runnin' amuck trying to get their daily dose..in more ways than one! (laughs)
Tracey: I hear ya!
Tracey: So Ruthy, Where are you from? ( Tracey is betting that She'll say Wisconsin, because Ruby was from Wisconsin)
Ruthy: Me? I'm from Wisconsin, dont'cha know? (Tracey thinks "Oh yeah" and smiles to herself)
Tracey: Any Children?
Ruthy: Yeah. I had one Rugrat. His name is Bobby.
( Before Tracey can get another question out that she'd probably know the answer to or would be the complete oposite, yet so similar, like Bobby=Buddy, Ruthy is more than half done her Make-Up )
Ruthy: Almost Done!
( Tracey sits in silence reminiscing of her 'Tracey Ullman Show' days, Her 'Tracey Takes On..' days and Her 'State of The Union' days )
Ruthy: ( adds some finishing touches to the make-up) Make-Up is done! Phase 1 complete! ( Chuckles)
Ruthy: (Continued) What style did they want you to have? You know, the Head Honchos?
Tracey: Just a simple bun. It's going to be pulled out anyways. I am doing a fight scene today with a younger Actress. She pulls my hair out and says, "You Filthy Cow!"
Ruthy: I see...( Starts to brush Tracey's long hair) Jesus girl, your hair is like a horses maine! It goes on for miles! (Laughs)
Tracey: (laughs) I like it long. (Jokingly) Plus, If I cut it, it may take away from my worth. Apparently I'm worth 75 million pounds. I said to myself, "No I'm not...I'm worth much more than that!!" (beat) And I still can't believe that my hair still looks so good..It's so shinnnyy...
Ruthy: Okay there Ms. Fairyland. Wake-up and smell the Chemicals.
( Ruthy is now getting ready to put it back in a bun, but gets side-tracked)
Ruthy: JEEAAZZUUSS! ( Her outburst startles Tracey because It came out of the blue)
Tracey: What?? what is it? is everything alright??
Ruthy: (While putting Tracey's hair in a bun) I forgot to turn the oven on for Bobby. Oh Shoot! now when he turns it on he'll blow up the house!
Tracey: (Jokingly) Let's hope it's still in one piece when you get home!
Ruthy: Yeah. Me too (Sprays Tracey's hair) Cover your mouth. Don't wanna inhale this kinda stuff.
Tracey: Why's that? I don't mind if a bit gets into my mouth. It happens all the time. It doesn't taste that bad...
Ruthy: It's bad for you 'cause it doesn't get you high! The only kinda high it gives you is the high I got when I was with my lover...Nothin'! ( laughs)
Ruthy: Wow Honey! You look good so far! (Clicking noise with the tongue)
Ruthy: (Cont.) and you look good with your hair down.
Tracey: I look like a Troll.
Ruthy: Like those toys they had years ago?
Tracey: Exactly.
Ruthy: So, did you hear about Meryl Streep's new movie that's out? it's really doing well. Of Course it is. It's Meryl Streep for goodness sake.
Tracey: No. I don't think I have. I'm sure it's a bloody masterpiece. Gosh, How old is she now?? 83?
Ruthy: Yep, and she's still making movies! Good for her.
Tracey: That's Meryl for ya.
(Fade Out)
( Fade-up,Inside Ruthy's Trailer)
( Ruthy is finishing Tracey's Hair )
Ruthy: Well there ya go! Your all set!
Tracey: Thank you so much Ruby (quickly corrects herself) I mean Ruthy.
(Tracey is called to set. She hears it through the speaker in Ruthy's Trailer. Tracey leaves the Trailer, and walks a short distance to the set)
Director: Okay Tracey. We're setting up over there. (Points to the corner where the set is decorated as a livingroom, and the younger Actress is already there)
( As Tracey is walking over, she overhears the Assistant Director talking to the Camera Operator, and listens in)
Assistant Director: Looks like we'll have to use the Fuzzy Focus lense this time...Try and make her look more youthful...
Camera Operator: But I thought She said that She wasn't afraid to look ugly on TV...
Assistant Director: Well, that doesn't really matter does it? She was much prettier back in the day.
Camera Operator: She still is. At least she doesn't have the botox and collagen in her face like all the other Actresses you see.
( Tracey smiles to herself and walks over to the set. She'll a little miffed that they said they had to make her look younger)
Tracey: ( V.O thought) If they hired me to play an older part, and I call it 'Wrinkly Work', then why the hell are they going to make me look like a baby? (sigh) Oh well...it is Hollywood afterall...
End
2009
Ruthy Rogaine= Ruby Romaine, Bobby=Buddy
"Wrinkly Work"
Imagine Tracey Ullman 30 years from now. She's still doing her impressions and big make-ups that she did on State of The Union. She's on the set of a movie playing Judi Dench, Who's fed up of playing the Mother roles. It is early Morning, around 5 AM
(Int.) Sally(Make-Up/Special Effects Make-Up): Good Morning Tracey! Ready for Make-Up?
Tracey: Oh yes Dear. Ready as I'll ever be. I've been in the chair for three hours before getting Make-Up done.
(Sally leads Tracey to the Make-Up Trailer to start on Tracey's transformation. Show Tracey going in, sitting down and then fade, and put " 2 1/2 hours later" on the black screen )
(Int.) ( Fade up)
(Sally has been called on her cellphone, and Tracey's Transformation is complete)
Sally: (On the phone) Yeah. Really?? OH MY GOD! I'll be there ASAP! (Hangs up) Tracey. I'm so sorry but I've just been told my Sister has gone into Labour! I have to go.
Tracey: ( Cheerfully) All right then off you go...(confused) But who's going to do my Make-Up?
Sally: ( Grabbing her Sweater and Bag) Um...Someone who's been in the business for a while. Her name is Ruthy I think.
Tracey: Alright. You'd better be going. Don't want to keep you waiting. See you around! ( Sally leaves, closing the door behind her)
( Tracey is thinking to herself when Ruthy comes in )
Ruthy: ( in a very Ruby Romaine voice) Hey There Honey!
( Tracey looks at Ruthy in the mirror, wide-eyed and thinks "Now that's Freaky...". She also thinks that Ruthy looks exactly like her character Ruby Romaine, only Ruthy's breasts are drastically smaller )
Ruthy: I'm Ruthy...Ruthy Rogaine. I know my last name is the name for a hair growth formula, but I Married a feller who was the Son and Co-Founder of the company. (Pause) He tried givin' me a hickie once...left his teeth on my neck. Anywhoo!
Tracey: (V.O thought) This keeps getting weirder
Tracey: Nice to meet you Ruthy
Ruthy: Yeah Honey, You too! Okay.. let's get started shall we. I gotta go grab my kit from the Buick. Be back in a flash!(Ruthy leaves and Tracey smoothes her long hair, then places it behind one ear )
( Various crashing noises come from outside the Trailer, followed by "Jeesus!" and "Goddam thing!" etc. from Ruthy, Ruthy comes back into the Trailer huffing and puffing.)
Ruthy: (Puts the kit down with a bang on the table) Jesus. I shouldn't have smoked for all those years you know Tracey. Now that's a habit with staying power! ( Laughs)
( Ruthy brings the kit over to where Tracey is sitting, and stops) Hold on Honey. I gotta do my morning stretch. (Ruthy rolls her ankles) (Says while rolling them) And in a circle and in a circle, and around we go, and around we go...
( Ruthy's stretch seems to be getting weirder, and Tracey can't help but smile, and tries to hold in a laugh)
Ruthy: Okay! I'm finito. Let's get started. (Ruthy starts applying Tracey's Make-up)
(While Applying) So, Where are you from? Scandanavia?
( Tracey looks puzzled and thinks "What??" but then remembers that she may be Scandanavian because of her Ancestry)
Tracey: No Actually. I'm originally from England, but have been living in California.
Ruthy: LA huh? The big LA ( Pronounced 'Lay') Whoops...only kidding (Awkward pause)
Ruthy: I remember when L.A used to be nicer. Now it has all these hookers runnin' amuck trying to get their daily dose..in more ways than one! (laughs)
Tracey: I hear ya!
Tracey: So Ruthy, Where are you from? ( Tracey is betting that She'll say Wisconsin, because Ruby was from Wisconsin)
Ruthy: Me? I'm from Wisconsin, dont'cha know? (Tracey thinks "Oh yeah" and smiles to herself)
Tracey: Any Children?
Ruthy: Yeah. I had one Rugrat. His name is Bobby.
( Before Tracey can get another question out that she'd probably know the answer to or would be the complete oposite, yet so similar, like Bobby=Buddy, Ruthy is more than half done her Make-Up )
Ruthy: Almost Done!
( Tracey sits in silence reminiscing of her 'Tracey Ullman Show' days, Her 'Tracey Takes On..' days and Her 'State of The Union' days )
Ruthy: ( adds some finishing touches to the make-up) Make-Up is done! Phase 1 complete! ( Chuckles)
Ruthy: (Continued) What style did they want you to have? You know, the Head Honchos?
Tracey: Just a simple bun. It's going to be pulled out anyways. I am doing a fight scene today with a younger Actress. She pulls my hair out and says, "You Filthy Cow!"
Ruthy: I see...( Starts to brush Tracey's long hair) Jesus girl, your hair is like a horses maine! It goes on for miles! (Laughs)
Tracey: (laughs) I like it long. (Jokingly) Plus, If I cut it, it may take away from my worth. Apparently I'm worth 75 million pounds. I said to myself, "No I'm not...I'm worth much more than that!!" (beat) And I still can't believe that my hair still looks so good..It's so shinnnyy...
Ruthy: Okay there Ms. Fairyland. Wake-up and smell the Chemicals.
( Ruthy is now getting ready to put it back in a bun, but gets side-tracked)
Ruthy: JEEAAZZUUSS! ( Her outburst startles Tracey because It came out of the blue)
Tracey: What?? what is it? is everything alright??
Ruthy: (While putting Tracey's hair in a bun) I forgot to turn the oven on for Bobby. Oh Shoot! now when he turns it on he'll blow up the house!
Tracey: (Jokingly) Let's hope it's still in one piece when you get home!
Ruthy: Yeah. Me too (Sprays Tracey's hair) Cover your mouth. Don't wanna inhale this kinda stuff.
Tracey: Why's that? I don't mind if a bit gets into my mouth. It happens all the time. It doesn't taste that bad...
Ruthy: It's bad for you 'cause it doesn't get you high! The only kinda high it gives you is the high I got when I was with my lover...Nothin'! ( laughs)
Ruthy: Wow Honey! You look good so far! (Clicking noise with the tongue)
Ruthy: (Cont.) and you look good with your hair down.
Tracey: I look like a Troll.
Ruthy: Like those toys they had years ago?
Tracey: Exactly.
Ruthy: So, did you hear about Meryl Streep's new movie that's out? it's really doing well. Of Course it is. It's Meryl Streep for goodness sake.
Tracey: No. I don't think I have. I'm sure it's a bloody masterpiece. Gosh, How old is she now?? 83?
Ruthy: Yep, and she's still making movies! Good for her.
Tracey: That's Meryl for ya.
(Fade Out)
( Fade-up,Inside Ruthy's Trailer)
( Ruthy is finishing Tracey's Hair )
Ruthy: Well there ya go! Your all set!
Tracey: Thank you so much Ruby (quickly corrects herself) I mean Ruthy.
(Tracey is called to set. She hears it through the speaker in Ruthy's Trailer. Tracey leaves the Trailer, and walks a short distance to the set)
Director: Okay Tracey. We're setting up over there. (Points to the corner where the set is decorated as a livingroom, and the younger Actress is already there)
( As Tracey is walking over, she overhears the Assistant Director talking to the Camera Operator, and listens in)
Assistant Director: Looks like we'll have to use the Fuzzy Focus lense this time...Try and make her look more youthful...
Camera Operator: But I thought She said that She wasn't afraid to look ugly on TV...
Assistant Director: Well, that doesn't really matter does it? She was much prettier back in the day.
Camera Operator: She still is. At least she doesn't have the botox and collagen in her face like all the other Actresses you see.
( Tracey smiles to herself and walks over to the set. She'll a little miffed that they said they had to make her look younger)
Tracey: ( V.O thought) If they hired me to play an older part, and I call it 'Wrinkly Work', then why the hell are they going to make me look like a baby? (sigh) Oh well...it is Hollywood afterall...
End
2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Tracey Ullman : Canadian TV Interview 1985
I've never seen her on a Canadian Station before! She talks about being in the movie "Plenty" with Meryl Streep.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Interview with Ruby Romaine
Me and My Friend Kevin made this phone interview, and posted it on facebook, and youtube! Enjoy! And yes, this really is me..
it's better if you listen to it with headphones..it's just a suggestion..
it's better if you listen to it with headphones..it's just a suggestion..
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Ullman is a Comic(and Mimic) Genius
By Scott D. Pierce
Deseret News
Tracey Ullman is the most talented woman in show business.
Not to put too much pressure on her or anything. And, hopefully, not to raise expectations for her new TV show too high — although it's great.
Ullman gives a whole new meaning to the term "one-woman show." An astonishing mimic, she plays pretty much all the parts in her new Showtime series "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union," which premieres Sunday at 11 p.m.
It's a faux documentary, narrated by Peter Strauss, that's sort of a day-in-the-life of people across the United States. One minute, Ullman is an immigrant woman heading off before dawn to make donuts. The next she's a Jamaican caretaker to an elderly Jewish woman. The next, she's former Los Angeles anchorwoman Linda Alvarez (who has fictionally moved to Buffalo).
Ullman isn't not shy about poking fun at TV news. Alvarez's idea of "international news" is that "Paris Hilton has miscarried in Dubai." Former MSNBC newswoman Rita Cosby thinks she's got a big scoop by crawling around the gurney that's about to be used for an execution. NBC newswoman Campbell Brown gives viewers "their daily dose of fear."
It's funny because it's so, um, sort of true.
Ullman also takes aim at celebrities ranging from environmental activist Lori David (ex-wife of Larry David); political pundit Arianna Huffington, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; actor Tony Scirrico; soccer star David Beckham; and Lindsay Lohan's mother, Dina.
And she creates lots of "regular folks" characters, including the woman with restless leg syndrome; the wife (of three weeks) of a death-row inmate about to be executed; and an executive secretary about to have an affair with her boss.
That's all in the first episode. Which runs 25 minutes. Including the credits.
Some of Ullman's past TV efforts — like her HBO series, "Tracey Takes On ... " — have been good but not great. She's done a fantastic job of creating (or impersonating) dozens of characters, but the shows have been more clever than funny.
No such problem with "State of the Union," which is laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Like when Ullman's Arianna Huffington comments on former presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani.
"You know, it was very smart of Giuliani's campaign manager to make him shave his head. He was having a hard time campaigning in the windier states with his little comb-over flapping and flapping," says the faux Huffington in the faux Hungarian accent.
And there's a wildly entertaining sequence in which Padmah, a pharmacist in Oak Ridge, Tenn., is being robbed by a drug addict — and suddenly she's headlining a Bollywood-esque musical production number.
There's always something unexpected and funny on "State of the Union." Including some footage of Park City in Episode 3 — faux Dame Judy Dench is interviewed about her film at the Sundance Film Festival.
The show airs on pay-cable channel Showtime, so it should come as no surprise that "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union" is not intended for children. There's R-rated language — including multiple uses of the f-word — and sexual references.
Deseret News
Tracey Ullman is the most talented woman in show business.
Not to put too much pressure on her or anything. And, hopefully, not to raise expectations for her new TV show too high — although it's great.
Ullman gives a whole new meaning to the term "one-woman show." An astonishing mimic, she plays pretty much all the parts in her new Showtime series "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union," which premieres Sunday at 11 p.m.
It's a faux documentary, narrated by Peter Strauss, that's sort of a day-in-the-life of people across the United States. One minute, Ullman is an immigrant woman heading off before dawn to make donuts. The next she's a Jamaican caretaker to an elderly Jewish woman. The next, she's former Los Angeles anchorwoman Linda Alvarez (who has fictionally moved to Buffalo).
Ullman isn't not shy about poking fun at TV news. Alvarez's idea of "international news" is that "Paris Hilton has miscarried in Dubai." Former MSNBC newswoman Rita Cosby thinks she's got a big scoop by crawling around the gurney that's about to be used for an execution. NBC newswoman Campbell Brown gives viewers "their daily dose of fear."
It's funny because it's so, um, sort of true.
Ullman also takes aim at celebrities ranging from environmental activist Lori David (ex-wife of Larry David); political pundit Arianna Huffington, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; actor Tony Scirrico; soccer star David Beckham; and Lindsay Lohan's mother, Dina.
And she creates lots of "regular folks" characters, including the woman with restless leg syndrome; the wife (of three weeks) of a death-row inmate about to be executed; and an executive secretary about to have an affair with her boss.
That's all in the first episode. Which runs 25 minutes. Including the credits.
Some of Ullman's past TV efforts — like her HBO series, "Tracey Takes On ... " — have been good but not great. She's done a fantastic job of creating (or impersonating) dozens of characters, but the shows have been more clever than funny.
No such problem with "State of the Union," which is laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Like when Ullman's Arianna Huffington comments on former presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani.
"You know, it was very smart of Giuliani's campaign manager to make him shave his head. He was having a hard time campaigning in the windier states with his little comb-over flapping and flapping," says the faux Huffington in the faux Hungarian accent.
And there's a wildly entertaining sequence in which Padmah, a pharmacist in Oak Ridge, Tenn., is being robbed by a drug addict — and suddenly she's headlining a Bollywood-esque musical production number.
There's always something unexpected and funny on "State of the Union." Including some footage of Park City in Episode 3 — faux Dame Judy Dench is interviewed about her film at the Sundance Film Festival.
The show airs on pay-cable channel Showtime, so it should come as no surprise that "Tracey Ullman's State of the Union" is not intended for children. There's R-rated language — including multiple uses of the f-word — and sexual references.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Tracey's Tavis Smiley Appearance Repeat
In case you missed Tracey's most recent appearance on the Tavis Smiley
show in April, it's being repeated a week from this Friday, or July 17.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Academy To Pay Tribute To Mel Brooks
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a tribute to comic legend Mel Brooks on Friday, July 24, at 8 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. Hosted by film historian Leonard Maltin, the evening will feature Brooks in person, along with numerous film clips and stories from his artistic collaborators and friends. Special guests will include Richard Benjamin, Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Carl Reiner, Tracey Ullman and Lesley Ann Warren (schedules permitting).
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