Ullman is by no means as much of a household name as she is in Britain, where she has been entertaining the masses for years. She had tried a singing career, and her single "They Don't Know" managed to hit the Billboard Top 10 in 1984, but we'd soon find out that singing was just one of Tracey's many talents. Her first substantial move onto the American comedy scene was the debut of her Fox variety program, "The Tracey Ullman Show", in 1987. At the time of it's premiere, "Ullman" was by far the best show on Rupert Murdoch's new network. With two or three sketches per show, Ullman, wearing distinctive costumes and speaking scores of various dialects, led the viewers thorugh clever stories, with both drama and comedy. Physical comedy, mental reflection, and musical numbers were all fixtures. Tracey managed to outshine a terrific supporting cast, including Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta, who went on to provide voices for Homer and Marge Simpson on "The Simpsons", a show that spun off of "Tracey Ullman". The show deservedly won Fox its very first Emmy in 1988. In 1990, however, "The Tracey Ullman Show" folded and Ullman herself went back to England, leaving a larger than life impression and a large void in American television behind.
Well, it took six years, but Ullman, after sporadic film work and comedy specials, decided to try her zany act on a network where it could be even zanier, HBO. With "Tracey Takes On...", Ullman has eliminated a studio audience and opted to shoot most of her sketches out and about in the realms of reality. Smart move. No longer limited to one set per sketch, Ullman's creations become well-rounded characters, going through several scenes of life each week. The "..." in "Tracey Takes On..." leads to a different specific topic each week (Food, Secrets, Mothers, etc.). Now that you know that week's topic, you can sit back and watch Ullman jump into at least ten different personas, all with distinct thoughts on the subject at hand. There's no regular supporting cast this time around, just Ullman. No problem. Ullman will sometimes play two or three characters in the same sketch!
The characters themselves have been molded over the previous outings of the show, into distinct icons of hilarity. Just a sampling: Kay Clark, a timid British woman whose hair is graying prematurely thanks to the constant badgering of her helpless mother. Linda Granger, a past-her-prime actress/lounge singer, whose ego hasn't waned nearly as much as her star status. Ruby Romaine, a makeup artist from the golden age of Hollywood, who manages to adjust to the crazy 90's with her tough as nails demeanor and slurred but insightful observations. Chic, an obnoxious male cab driver from some unknown Middle Eastern homeland, who personifies the driver from hell. Sydney Cross, a Leslie Abrahmson-like attorney whose ego could compete with Linda's anyday. Oh, and the Queen of England, who always manages to send that special apathetic feeling towards her guests that can only come from a royal. My favorite, however, is Florida sharp-tongued golden girl Fern Rosenthal. Fern aims to be the toast of her retirement community, even if that entails (and it always does) dragging her poor husband Harry along for the ride.
The writing is sharp, the subjects are often hot topics, and Ullman is just plain brilliant. There is not one time during the show (except for Ullman's occassional out-of-character introductions) that you're sitting there saying to yourself, "I'm watching Tracey Ullman play a character." Ullman, through costumes, makeup, and her many voices, becomes so immersed into each character that you wouldn't know it was Tracey if her name wasn't on the show. That amazing ability to throw her voice in hundreds of directions, plus her acting range, puts her ahead of Carol Burnett in my book, and puts her in the running for the title of Best All-Time Comedienne. I suggest you take on "Tracey Takes On..." To borrow a line from A&E, it's time well spent.
Comments? I'd love to hear them. art@benzene.net
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