Review: Tracey Ullman’s Show
DVD: Tracey Ullman’s Show (2016)
Tracey Ullman; a name that may not be too familiar with the current generation of UK television viewers, but who was a creative force and a favourite of mine back when there were only 3 channels and no breakfast shows.
She came to prominence with A Kick Up the EightiesΒ and Three of a KindΒ (both shows which I loved) before moving to the U.S.A. in theΒ mid 1980’s. Her move to America led to The Tracey Ullman Show, which famously gave birth to The SimpsonsΒ when it was originally aired as a bumper on the show. These Simpsons characters looked slightly different to those that eventually appeared in their full series.
A successful career across the Atlantic meant that Tracey’s appearances on UK television were sporadic at best. Continued interest by American television stations and an increasingly heavy workload as a movie actress meant that UK fans began to wonder if she would ever have another series over here again.
In 2015 it was announced that Tracey would be back on UK screens with a new six part comedy series for BBC One. The series debutΒ was on 11th January 2016 and was so well received that it has already been commissioned for a 2nd series.
Tracey Ullman’s Show is a fantastic showcase for her comedy acting and her pin sharp impersonations of people in the public eye. This series includes:
- Β A sassy Angela MerkelΒ who is sure that every male world leader wants to bed her.
- A kleptomaniac Judy Dench with an obsession for getting as many people into trouble as she can.
- The personal video auditions of Maggie Smith who is clearly disinterested in everything that she applies for.
As well as Tracey absolutely nailing the mannerisms and voices of the characters, special mention has to go to the series make-up team who do stunning work in turning Tracey into an exact copy of everyone. The first appearance of ‘Judy Dench’ had me completely fooled for quite a while.
New characters are created whose stories we follow throughout the series. Some of my favourites include:
- Dominic Hindle: a failed mobile app developer who uses a coffee house as his office while trying (and failing) to sell his crazy ideas.
- Sally Preston: a feminist M.P. who insists on having her breasts constantly on show, which as you can imagine leads to some interesting scenarios.
- Hayley: a caring zookeeper whose gentle and loving façade for the animals hides a lot of deeper emotional problems.
I must admit to being hesitant when the show was announced. Had her time passed? Would she still be relevant? Would the impressions be convincing? Above all else; would it be funny?
Having watched the entire series I can now answer those questions with; No, Yes, Definitely, and Hell Yes!
A superb return to the UK television screens and I eagerly await series 2.
Review by Dave (host of 60 Minutes With) from a disc kindly supplied by Aim Publicity.