The Tracey Ullman Show

Like David Frost and Benny Hill, Tracey Ullman succeeded where many Brits before and after failed - in conquering America (case in point Lenny Henry's appalling "True Identity"). In fact, "The Tracey Ullman Show" was a bigger hit in America than when it aired on the BBC; too bad.

This playlet show (most of the pieces were too long to qualify as "sketches") was a great showcase for Trace and her fellow players, most notably Julie Kavner and Dan Castellaneta (though I suppose we shouldn't overlook Sam McMurray [especially as the Tom Jones-type Gulliver Dark] and even Joseph Malone). The show went more for character than slapstick - although there were recurring characters, with the most memorable including the Janis Joplin-esque Summer Storm, secretary Kay ("'Ello, mummy? It's Kayyyy..."), and golfer Kiki Howard-Smith - and the humour was more gentle than roll-on-the-floor; for instance, Jinx Haber was hired for the role of Peter Pan because she could really fly, but when the union objected that she was putting harness operators out of work she was fired.

Of course, the show's most notable for giving the world its first exposure to "The Simpsons" (they weren't introduced immediately - the early episodes featured cartoons revolving around a psychiatrist called Dr. N!Godatu, with Matt Groening's creation alternating... until ultimately the producers made the correct choice, and the rest is truly history) - they were even billed in the opening credits of the show in later seasons. (The BBC reportedly edited out the Simpson shorts when they aired the show, which certainly helps explain why they didn't get around to screening "The Simpsons" until 1997.)

"The Tracey Ullman Show" also had plenty of musical moments, though not from guest bands but from the cast itself - kudos to both the performers and to Paula Abdul, hired as the show's choreographer and the inspiration for the third-season playlet "The Wave Girls" (set amongst a basketball team's cheerleaders - Paula herself appeared at the end of this episode. This was when her pop singing career had taken off). Anyone else ever seen a song-and-dance number set to "Paint It Black" or "Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This"? Didn't think so. Too bad the final season was the weakest, but all good things... all this and a theme by George Clinton. Ripe for watching in repeats somewhere.

"Go home!"

The Tracey Ullman Show helped to spin off The Simpsons into their own show and even helped launch the FOX Network (along with Married With Children). All an all, this was a pretty good show. It had a lot of funny sketches and some very funny, though crudely drawn, animated filler material (The Simpsons). There was another animated filler called Dr. N!godatu, but it did not last as long as the Simpson shorts. The Tracey Ullman Show was entertaining to say the least.

I love Tracey Ullman and I don't know why the Queen hasn't honored her yet with some kind of British Honor. I remember when I first saw her in the video of They Don't Know About Us with Paul McCartney MBE before he was knighted many years ago. The network brought Tracey Ullman who is a great talent to create a sketch show which she played everything from a teenager to an old woman. She did everything without being vulgar, difficult, or cruel. I loved it when she and Dan Castellnata played a yuppie married couple who discover that their young son is normal and not a genius at school. Tracey also introduced the Simpsons to the world. Of course, it was 30 minute show and I felt that it wasn't enough time to get everything in. I think the show would have fared better if it was expanded to an hour. Still, I remember that show fondly as one of Fox's early efforts.

This was one of Fox's flagship shows that aired along with Married With Children opening night on Fox. Before this, Tracey was known to a few in America that either saw one of her britcoms via someone in England or owned a copy of her 1983 album, You Broke My Heart In 17 Places. This showed got her launched and it was too funny. My favorite character was Franchesca. It was amusing seeing her transform into a teenager. She was also backed up by a great supporting cast with Julie Kavner, Dan Castelleneta, Sam McMurray, Joseph Malone, and later, Anne Levine. I miss this show and the Sunday nights it was on. It's too bad comedy like this doesn't work on TV anymore. She was talented and many of the skits were downright hilarious. Especially from the first episode where a busy couple spends all but five minutes with their child until they run off again, and in a later episode a woman who gets pulled over for drunk driving (who really isn't) and is asked to perform odd tests. Truly comic genius.

The Tracey Ullman Show, which premiered in April of 1987 (and didn't run nearly long enough), is the closest thing to the timeless classic Carol Burnett Show (circa late 60s/early 70s) that Generation X will probably ever see. Tracey brought back the variety show with a vengeance, and it was truly amazing. The acting (by a phenomenal cast) was nothing short of inspired, the dialogue was brilliantly written, it was nominated and deservedly won several Emmy and other awards, and it also gave the world The Simpsons. What more could one ask? For all these reasons and more, this series should be released on DVD, if for no other reason than to show the world what a great variety show this was.

The Tracey Ullman Show also boasted any number of very special guest stars, such as Tim Curry, Cesar Romero, Isabella Rossellini, Marilu Henner, Keanu Reeves, Kelsey Grammer, Carole King, Martin Short, and Glenn Close, among others - many of them appearing in musical numbers that I only wish I could obtain on CD.

Catch it...if you can.

I'd give this a 10 out of 10 if the IMDb had a rating system for TV series.