Tracey Ullman's State of the Union

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Tracey Ullman's
State of the Union
Format Comedy
Created by Tracey Ullman
Starring Tracey Ullman
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 5
Production
Executive
producer(s)		 Tracey Ullman, Allan McKeown
Running time 25 min.
Broadcast
Original channel Showtime
Original run March 30, 2008 – present
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Tracey Ullman's State of the Union is an American sketch-comedy series, starring comedian, Tracey Ullman. The series takes a satirical view of the day in the life of America, lampooning political, social, and pop culture[1], with Ullman impersonating and portraying, famous, and non-famous characters, and celebrities. The series is written by Ullman, along with Hollywood satirist, Bruce Wagner, Gail Parent, and Craig DiGregorio.

The series' first season debuted on March 30, 2008[2], on premium cable network, Showtime.

A second season of seven episodes has been greenlighted by Showtime.[3] The new season will air 2009. Arianna Huffington, one of Ullman's frequent parodies, revealed that she and Ullman recently had tea together. Ullman was looking to collect more material for the series' second season.[4]

Contents

[edit] Show direction

The first season of the series is directed by Troy Miller. The show is shot in cinematic fashion.[5]

"It's her kind of sketch show, where she plays many, many characters. No sketch is longer than a minute and a half. Each episode is a day in the life of the United States. You pop in on people all over the country, really quick visits. You'll go to some famous people. You'll see some recognizable faces and some regular Americans. You revisit characters from episode to episode. You'll go in and out, like the Google map of the U.S., in and out from the outer atmosphere. You'll go to Iowa and visit two women on a farm and then you'll pull out and go to Los Angeles and see Arianna Huffington, played by Tracey, in her boudoir, and then pull out and go to Washington, D.C. and see a woman who's an anchor for the evening news. Tracey will play 90 percent of the characters, men and women," as described by Showtime network executive, Robert Greenblatt.[6]

From the Showtime press release, " Tracey tackles the country's celebrity-obsessed, 24- hour news culture by portraying a variety of characters from celebrities such as, Cameron Diaz, Renee Zellweger, Dina Lohan, Tony Sirico, David Beckham, Nancy Pelosi and Arianna Huffington. Additionally, Ullman has created a new line-up of original characters that reflect a cross-section of American society from an Indian pharmacist to a homeless woman without health insurance to a soldier on temporary leave from Iraq." [7]

The show's main theme is taken from Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák), by Antonín Dvořák.

Each sketch lasts from a few seconds, to a few minutes, much like a Youtube clip, a style Ullman was looking to achieve.[8] The series is narrated throughout by, Peter Strauss.

[edit] Celebrity impersonations and reaction

Renée Zelwegger shown a picture of Ullman on Late Show with David Letterman
Renée Zelwegger shown a picture of Ullman on Late Show with David Letterman

Celebrity impersonations has become a new addition to Ullman’s comedic repartee, something that she had not dabbled in since her early days at the BBC, nearly thirty years prior. The slightly famous to the infamous are skewered in, ‘’State of the Union’’. Reaction to the parodies were fast coming from the actual celebrities themselves.

One of the very first reactions came from actress, Renée Zellweger. In a sketch, Renée is featured on a press junket for her new movie, where her character has a condition called, "chronic narcissistic squint." The real Zelwegger was shown a picture of Ullman doing an impersonation of her on The Late Show with David Letterman. Ullman revealed that she wore no make-up to get her Zellweger appearance. She simply donned long eyelashes, very much like Shari Lewis’ Lambchop.[9] “This is why I need therapy… I better watch what I say. Look at what happens when I’ve done nothing to her.”[10] Whether Zelwegger’s comments reflected one being a “good sport”, or feeling truly slighted, is debatable.

Political pundit Arianna Huffington's voice and obsession with blogging, receives numerous jabs throughout the series. The word "blog" is often substituted for various nouns and verbs. While filling out an Internet dating profile, Huffington types, "Must enjoy nice long blogs in the rain." She clutches her laptop in her arms and kisses it goodnight upon going to sleep. Huffington takes the parody in good humor saying, "I actually loved it." Huffington continued, "She does a really good imitation of me... And you know....she ends a lot of her imitations of me by saying 'blogs and kisses,' which is kind of something pretty good. I like that.[11] Huffington’s parody is generally lighthearted. The same cannot be said for show’s take on the American news media and it’s “fear mongering”. Real-life CNN news anchor, Campbell Brown, serves as the vessel in which this is made apparent. In one episode, “Horror, terror, horror, terror, nightmare, horror, fear. Back to you, Brian,” serves as the entire report issued by Brown. Campbell issued a statement regarding the parody saying that she, “loves, loves Tracey Ullman, and is a huge fan of the show. “ Brown even wants to book Ullman on her 8 p.m. program.[12]

Celebrities, Laurie David, and Dina Lohan, who also take a hit in the show, had no comment.[13]

In the end, Ullman contends that celebrities "love being impersonated".[14]

[edit] Characters

[edit] Season one

[edit] Original

  • Marion Churchhill - New York, New York. Jamaican caregiver.
  • Lacy Harris - Greenville, North Carolina. A farmer, along with her husband, Brett. The couple continuously tries to come up with a fuel substitute to break America's dependence on foreign oil. Husband, Brett, is also soldier in, Iraq.
  • Irma Billings - Plainsville, Nebraska. Average citizen who converses with her neighbor, Betsy Jean.
  • Gretchen Pincus - Huntsville, Texas. Married the "Wetwipe Killer", who's on death row. She later marries, "The Tastee-Freez Rapist". Gretchen is currently having a shadow writer document her married life with the "Wetwipe Killer"; in a book entitled White Widow.
  • Sally Knox - New York, New York.Investment banker, who has an ongoing affair with her boss, Chris Fullbright.
  • Carmen Valk - East Coast. Homeless woman, who is without health care.
  • Chanel Monticello - Airport security agent.
  • Sgt. Lisa Penning - Macon, Georgia. On leave from Iraq. She is part of a PBS special entitled, Moms At War.
  • Rosa Batista - Housekeeper to Arianna Huffington.
  • Asmaa Qasim - The Ozarks. The most famous star in Malawi, who comes to adopt an American child.
  • Sherilynne O'Dale - Colorado. Parishioner who is participating in her church's, "Walk A Mile In Their Shoes" program.
  • Jetblue airline steward - Grounded Jetblue Flight, Chicago. A stewardess who "mutinies" on a Jetblue flight, which has grounded for 12 hours.
  • Annette Thomas - Saint Paul, Minnesota. Regional theater actress, who returns to the stage after having a hip replacement.
  • Abby Melinda Harris - Undisclosed location in Arizona. Owner of "Dignity Village", a community for women 35 and over, "never to be seen in public again."

[edit] Celebrity impersonations

From top to bottom: Ullman as Renée Zellweger, Arianna Huffington, Andy Rooney, Campbell Brown
From top to bottom: Ullman as Renée Zellweger, Arianna Huffington, Andy Rooney, Campbell Brown

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season One (2008)

# Airdate Overview
1
March 30, 2008
 Sindra wakes up for work. Marion checks in on her patient. Linda gives the morning news. Stacey Harris discusses her and her husband's farm, and their quest to find an alternative fuel, to get America off foreign oil. Laurie David talks to her publicist about Al Gore. Arianna talks about Rudy Giuliani's hair, and takes a phone call to discuss her thoughts regarding the Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor movie script. Nancy Pelosi gets Botox injections. Irma discusses restless leg syndrome, with her neighbor. Padma gets held up. Tony Sirico interviews at a press junket for his new film, "I Married This Inuit". Gretchen Pincus gives her story to a ghost writer who's writing her autobiography. Rita Cosby reports from the gas chamber where Gretchen Pincus' fiancé, "The Wetwipe Killer", is to be executed. David Beckham talks to his agent. News reporter Campbell Brown gives the public it's nightly terror report. Sally Knox has an affair with her boss. Dina Lohan learns of Lindsay Lohan's engagement in a club with other parents of young Hollywood celebrities. Sindra returns home.
2
April 6, 2008
 County hospital ambulance dumps woman out into the street. Linda wants to follow the "patient dumping" story and reads report on Angelina Jolie. Chanel does medical body scans. Laurie David discusses her eco-friendly private plane. Staff Sgt. Lisa Penning returns home from Iraq to visit her son. Arianna chooses dress for the Worldwide Blog Awards. Padma adds a Bollywood twist on erectile dysfunction. Renée Zellwegger is on a press junket for her new movie, "Home Frontal Lobe". Irma talks about the "Super Bug". David Beckham has a press conference. Campbell Brown has a nightly news report of terror. Arianna is at the "Bloggies". Dina Lohan discusses Joy Fanning, mother of Dakota. Carmen gets interviewed by news crew.
3
April 13, 2008
 Mother Superior Rose Pannatella meditates. Linda reports on the alarm clock recall. Chandra talks yoga unions. Arianna's housekeeper gets stranded, leaving Arianna to do housework. Malawian star, Asmaa Qasim, comes to America to adopt a child. Laurie has her pilot dump their jet fuel over Nebraska. Irma gets hit by Laurie's jet fuel. Padma sings about Bipolar disorder medication. Sherilynne participates in the "Walk A Mile In Their Shoes" program, dressing as a Muslim. Dame Judi Dench talks about her new film. Campbell Brown reports. Sandra rallies her team. Sally Knox and her boss discuss their lives. David Beckham gets ready for a dinner party, with the creator of, Lost. Dina Lohan is informed that her daughter has died. Arianna blogs about her day. Dale and Asmaa head to Malawi.
4
April 20, 2008
 America's imports/exports for the day. "Mutiny" on a JetBlue plane. Chanel confiscates "pilot killers". Mary Ann LeFrank, gets her ultrasound. Laurie David's publicist can't find the toilet. David Beckham returns from a child's birthday party. Andy Rooney delivers his piece on pencils. Cameron Diaz in, "That Terrible Time Of The Month". Mary Ann's water breaks. Campbell Brown reports. Annette Thomas returns to the stage -- almost. Ronnie Rooney dies during, "Chicago". Sally Knox and her boss decide to leave their spouses. Mary Ann gives birth. Arianna blogs about Andy Rooney and Mary Ann LeFrank. The fate of Mary Ann's offspring.
5
April 27, 2008
 Rose questions God being too PC. Marion arrives for work. Doris is held up for smuggling at the border. Sally learns that Chris has not left his wife. Russian translator. Rita Cosby arrives at the scene of crime. Abbey Melina Harris advertises for Dignity Village. Chanel reveals everything she’s confiscated. Suzanne Sommers plugs her new “Vagisizer”. Dame Helen Mirren discusses her new film, “Fish Out Those Old Teats”. Padma tries to help a customer remove her Vagisizer. David Beckham injures himself. Marion awaits the coroner.

[edit] Notes

Wet wipes, and the surname, Katzman, are frequently cited throughout the series.

[edit] Bollywood

Padma Perkesh
Padma Perkesh
 

"We're obsessed with India and Bollywood,"[15] Ullman revealed about she and her husband, ‘Union’ co-producer, Allan McKeown. McKeown runs a production company in India producing television programmes. Padma Perkesh, Ullman’s Indian character, is a pharmacist who sings the medication side-affects to customers in Bollywood-styled routines. “There are so many Indian pharmacists in America,"[16] says Ullman, whose own pharmacist is Indian.

After handing clients their prescription, Perkesh begins her Bollywood chant, as the stock shelves behind her pull out revealing a colorful dance stage, filled with Indian decor. Padma rips off her white coat, and dances with her fellow stock workers, (and sometimes customers).


Lyrical excerpts from Bipolar medication song:

There's no shame in being Bipolar
A bit like having your mood up in rollers
One minute you feel happy -- a ha a ha
The next you want to cry -- boo hoo hoo hoo
You shoot a man in Reno, just to watch him die

I say that I must warn you
The side effects are bad
Far more traumatic
Than your molesting dad
Even Diet Pepsi
Can trigger epilepsy
While shopping at Ikea
Explosive diarrhea

[edit] Critical reception

The series received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many critics dissecting elements of the show, including the length of the sketches, the show's format, and it's celebrity mock-ups. Suggesting that Ullman's stronger portrayals are found in her original characters, rather than the famous, one reviewer wrote, "Ullman's satire is at its best when she inhabits the little people."[17] Others praised its collection of famous, and semi-famous impersonations, including Arianna Huffington, "who sleeps with her laptop and has a dramatic Eva Gabor accent and penchant for using "blog" in every part of her speech."[18] "Her best moments came as Arianna, Dina [Lohan] and Laurie [David]," stated April MacIntyre, of Monsters & Critics.[19]

It's Youtube-format garnered a few complaints. "...She can do so much, initially she's doing too much. Though fun, the opener's skits are too short, and the characters too numerous, for any one joke to register. But give the show a week to settle, and the strengths of Ullman's concept come to the fore. As the show grows clearer and funnier, you may even find yourself anticipating the return of favorite characters...”[20]

Commenting on the writing, a critic noted, “Ullman is obviously great at impressions, but it's the sharpness of the writing that sets this show apart from other sketch comedies. Ullman tosses off so many excellent one-liners along the way, it's hard to keep track of them all."[21]

“It may take "Saturday Night Live" a season to put out this many funny characters and celebrity portrayals. But the glossy "State of the Union," narrated by Peter Strauss, churns out a dozen or more in each week's half-hour.”[22]


‘’State’s’’ premiere episode raked in 907,000 viewers for its first night of three airings, 776,000 combined for 10PM and 10:30PM, (just short of Showtime series, Californication’s debut total of 795,000). Pre-airings of “State of the Union” were available through cable television’s OnDemand service, weeks before its official premiere on the network.[23]

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]. Yahoo TV. "State of the Union - OVERVIEW". Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  2. ^ [2]. PressRelease News. " Red, White and Tracey". Showtime Networks Inc.. January 16, 2008.
  3. ^ [3]. "Showtime imports Marc Wootton Tracey Ullman renewed for second season". Josef Adalian. Variety. May 2, 2008.
  4. ^ [4]. "Arianna Huffington: 'Blogs and kisses'". The Swamp. Mark Silva. April 29, 2008.
  5. ^ [5]. Variety. "Showtime's 'Tudors' continues reign, Network gives show an early renewal". Josef Adalian. April 12, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  6. ^ [6]. MediaVillage.com. "Ed Martin's Watercooler TV: Showtime's Robert Greenblatt on the Return of Dexter, Weeds and Brotherhood -- and the Future of Sleeper Cell". Ed Martin. June 27, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  7. ^ [7]. PressRelease News. " Red, White and Tracey". Showtime Networks Inc.. January 16, 2007.
  8. ^ [8]. USA Today. "Tracey Ullman creates a more humorous 'Union'". Bill Keveney. March 27, 2008.
  9. ^ [9]. "Tracey Ullman creates a more humorous 'Union'". USA Today. Bill Keveney. March 26, 2008.
  10. ^ [10]. Huffington Post. Renee Zellweger’s Ullman Revulsion: Tracey’s Impersonation A Reason To Call A Shrink”. April 4, 2008.
  11. ^ [11]. "Arianna Huffington: Blogs and kisses". Mark Silva. April 29, 2008.
  12. ^ [12]. NY Post. “Tracey’s Targets Play It Cool”. April 29, 2008.
  13. ^ [13]. NY Post. “Tracey’s Targets Play It Cool”. April 29, 2008.
  14. ^ [14]. "Behind the Scenes". Showtime.com. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
  15. ^ [15]. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “New citizen Ullman gets her say about America“. Rob Owen. March 29, 2008.
  16. ^ [16]. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “New citizen Ullman gets her say about America“. Rob Owen. March 29, 2008.
  17. ^ [17]. Philly.com. “Jonathan Storm: Tracey Ullman takes her licks at the US”. Jonathan Storm. March 29, 2008.
  18. ^ [18]. “Tracey Ullman’s Back As A Hilarious Cast of Thousands”. Courant.com. Roger Catlin. March 30, 2008.
  19. ^ [19]. "Review: Tracey Ullman's State of the Union". Monsters & Critics. April MacIntyre. Retrieved May 26, 2008.
  20. ^ [20]. “State of Tracey Ullman’s Union is strong”. USA Today. Robert Bianco. March 27, 2008.
  21. ^ [21]. “Tracey takes on the USA”. Salon.com. March 30, 2008.
  22. ^ [22]. “Tracey Ullman’s Back As A Hilarious Cast of Thousands”. Courant.com. Roger Catlin. March 30, 2008.
  23. ^ [23]. “Not As Good To Be King: ‘Tudors’ Second-Season Debut Slips”. Mutichannel News. Mike Reynolds. April 1, 2008.

[edit] External links