Tracey Takes On... is an HBO sketch comedy series created by British comedian Tracey Ullman. Image File history File links Hirschshow. ... Al Hirschfeld photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1955 Albert Hirschfeld (June 21, 1903 – January 20, 2003) was an American caricaturist, best known for his simple black and white satirical portraits of celebrities and Broadway stars. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Tracey Ullman (born December 30, 1959) is a English comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show. ... Tracey Ullman (born December 30, 1959) is a English comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show. ... Seymour Joseph Cassel (born January 22, 1935 or 1937[1]) is an Academy Award-nominated American character actor. ... Alastair Duncan (born ?) is a British-Australian actor and voice actor best known for providing the voice-over on the first three series of the television show Australias Most Wanted. ... Julie Deborah Kavner (born September 7, 1950) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, best known for her role as Brenda Morgenstern on Rhoda in the 1970s, as an actress in several Woody Allen-directed films, and for providing the voice of Marge Simpson on the animated television show The... James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and musician. ... Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy in Blackadder II. Tim McInnerny (stress on the penultimate syllable of McInnerny) was born September 18, 1956 and is a British actor. ... Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician, best known for his portrayal of Leonard Lenny Kosnowski on the sitcom Laverne and Shirley; as one of the members of Spinal Tap; as a Saturday Night Live cast member; and for other various appearances in... George Segal George Segal (born February 13, 1934) is a well-known Jewish American film and stage actor who was born in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. ... Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971 in South Boston, Virginia) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Francisco Giants since 2004. ... Danny Woodburn (born July 26, 1964) is an American actor. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... is the 24th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of television-related events in 1996. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The year 1999 in television involved some significant events. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... A comedian, or comic, is an entertainer who amuses an audience by making them laugh. ... Tracey Ullman (born December 30, 1959) is a English comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show. ...

Ullman created and portrayed a wide spectrum of exotic characters, including both men and women, for the series. Only her 'Kay' character returned from her earlier FOX series. Each week, each episode would focus on, or "take on," a certain topic, around which each episode would revolve. Unlike her previous series, where characters would appear one week, only to never be seen again, Ullman's roster of characters for Takes On would be repeated throughout the entire series. Unknown actors who became famous in America after the series' run include Hugh Laurie, Tobey Maguire, Giovanni Ribisi, Jon Favreau, Carlos Mencia, Dan Futterman, and Danny Woodburn. Writer Jenji Kohan went on to create the hit Showtime series Weeds, writer Allen Zipper went on to write and produce George Lopez and Blind Date, producer Gail Parent wrote the screenplay for Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, and director Thomas Schlamme went on to direct hit television shows, including The West Wing. The Tracey Ullman Show was a weekly American television variety show, hosted by British comedian and onetime pop singer Tracey Ullman. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and musician. ... Tobias Vincent Maguire (born June 27, 1975) is an American actor. ... Antonino Giovanni Ribisi (born December 17, 1974) is an American actor. ... Jonathan K. Favreau (born on October 19, 1966) is an American actor and director. ... Carlos Mencia on stage for his show, Ned Arnel Mencía (born October 22, 1967), better known by his stage name Carlos Mencia, is an American comedian, writer, and actor. ... Daniel Futterman (born June 8, 1967) is an American actor and screenwriter. ... Danny Woodburn (born July 26, 1964) is an American actor. ... This article is about the pay TV channel. ... Weeds may be: Weed, an undesired plant growth (weeds, plural) Slang for Cannabis, the herb used for its psychoactive effects, but also grown into hemp Weeds (television), the 2005 Showtime television series starring Mary-Louise Parker and Elizabeth Perkins. ... George C. Lopez (born April 23, 1961) is an American comedian and actor. ... A blind date is a date where the people involved have not met each other previously. ... Gail Parent is an American television and screenwriter, television producer, and author. ... Sample from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions. ... Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen is a 2004 American comedy movie. ... Thomas Schlamme (born May 22, 1950) is one of the leading directors of television. ... “The West Wing” redirects here. ...

In 1993, Ullman returned to television, after her hit FOX comedy series, The Tracey Ullman Show, was cancelled, with two comedy specials for HBO. Tracey Ullman Takes On New York, and Tracey Ullman: A Class Act, were created for the network, and received critical praise and even awards. HBO approached Ullman and her producer husband, Allan McKeown, about doing a weekly character series for the network. Ullman agreed, and the Takes On series was born. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the animal. ... The word comedy has a classical meaning (comical theatre) and a popular one (the use of humor with an intent to provoke laughter in general). ... A television program (US), television programme (UK) or simply television show is a segment of programming in television broadcasting. ... The Tracey Ullman Show was a weekly American television variety show, hosted by British comedian and onetime pop singer Tracey Ullman. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ...

In 1998, Ullman released the book, Tracey Takes On. Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

Cast

• Tracey Ullman .... Sydney Cross/Ruby Romaine/Linda Granger/Kay Clark/Rayleen Gibson/Trevor Ayliss/Fern Rosenthal/Chic/Miss Noh Nang Ning/Virginia Bugge/other roles
• Seymour Cassel .... Candy Casino
• Alastair Duncan .... Capt. Philip 'Pip' Semdorbin
• Adele Givens .... Hellura (1998-1999)
• Julie Kavner .... Midge Dexter/Jobie Wolf/other roles
• Hugh Laurie .... Timothy 'Timmy' Bugge (1996)
• Tim McInnerny .... Timothy 'Timmy' Bugge #2 (1997-1998)
• Michael McKean .... Barry
• George Segal .... Harry Rosenthal #2 (1997)
• Michael Tucker .... Harold 'Harry' Rosenthal (1996)
• Danny Woodburn .... Mitch Gibson
• Allen J. Zipper

Tracey Ullman (born December 30, 1959) is a English comedian, actress, singer, dancer, screenwriter, and author, who is most famous for being the host of her eponymous variety television show. ... Seymour Joseph Cassel (born January 22, 1935 or 1937[1]) is an Academy Award-nominated American character actor. ... Alastair Duncan (born ?) is a British-Australian actor and voice actor best known for providing the voice-over on the first three series of the television show Australias Most Wanted. ... Julie Deborah Kavner (born September 7, 1950) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, best known for her role as Brenda Morgenstern on Rhoda in the 1970s, as an actress in several Woody Allen-directed films, and for providing the voice of Marge Simpson on the animated television show The... James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and musician. ... Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy in Blackadder II. Tim McInnerny (stress on the penultimate syllable of McInnerny) was born September 18, 1956 and is a British actor. ... Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician, best known for his portrayal of Leonard Lenny Kosnowski on the sitcom Laverne and Shirley; as one of the members of Spinal Tap; as a Saturday Night Live cast member; and for other various appearances in... George Segal George Segal (born February 13, 1934) is a well-known Jewish American film and stage actor who was born in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. ... Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971 in South Boston, Virginia) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Francisco Giants since 2004. ... Danny Woodburn (born July 26, 1964) is an American actor. ...

The characters

Ruby Romaine: 72, a Hollywood makeup artist who has seen it all. Worked heavily during Hollywood's heyday. Drinks and smokes heavily. Lives with her shell shocked, Vietnam Veteran son, Buddy, and their pet pig. ...

Fern Rosenthal: 56, a Jewish homemaker, originally from Long Island. Retired to Boca Raton, Florida after her husband, Harry, suffered a heart attack. Harry Rosenthal was the owner of a chain of discount pharmacies. The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination... This article is about the island in New York State. ... Boca Raton is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami metropolitan area Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ...

Janie Pillsworth: 37, originally from England, now a New York fashion magazine editor. Sent to a prestigious British boarding school. Her father sacrificed a kidney to pay tuition. Disowned her parents until an ill-fated family reunion. Lets her mother, who also acts as a nanny, live with her. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the state. ... For other uses, see Fashion (disambiguation). ...

Linda Granger: 49, An actress, singer and author. Had a hit 1970s television series, 'VIP Lounge,' in which she played Vickie Starr. Has a book entitled 'I'm Still Here: The Linda Granger Story,' which details her additions to alcohol, surviving cancer and 'personal misfortune.' Had a child, whom she gave up and then adopted, named Marmalade. She is also a recovering sex-addict. Her manager is Candy Casino (Seymour Cassel). Seymour Joseph Cassel (born January 22, 1935 or 1937[1]) is an Academy Award-nominated American character actor. ...

Trevor Ayliss: 43, male, from England, an airline steward. Fathered a child for a fellow stewardess. Has a partner named Barry (Michael McKean). A very big fan of Linda Granger. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... An Airbus A380 of Emirates Airline An airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight. ... The terms steward or stewardess can refer to a number of different professional roles. ... Flight attendants, formerly called sky girls, air hostesses, stewardesses and stewards hold the primary responsibility for the safety and comfort of airline passengers. ... Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician, best known for his portrayal of Leonard Lenny Kosnowski on the sitcom Laverne and Shirley; as one of the members of Spinal Tap; as a Saturday Night Live cast member; and for other various appearances in...

Kay Clark: 42, originally from England, bank teller, cares for her invalid mother. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Look up invalid in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Chic: 44, male, New York, Middle-Eastern, cab driver. A self-defined, chick-magnet. This article is about the state. ... The traditional Middle East and the G8s Greater Middle East. ...

Sydney Kross: 34, ruthless, high-profile, Los Angeles attorney. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... An attorney is someone who represents someone else in the transaction of business: For attorney-at-law, see lawyer, solicitor, barrister or civil law notary. ...

Rayleen Gibson: 34, Australian, stuntwoman to the stars. Raised by dingos in the outback. Married to a 'little person,' Mitch Gibson (Danny Woodburn). Runs A.A.H., Aged-Animal-Actors-Home, for retired animal actors. A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television (such as jumping out of a building, jumping from vehicle to vehicle, or other similar actions), and for other sophisticated stunts (especially fight scenes). ... Trinomial name Canis lupus dingo (Meyer, 1793) Breed classification Breed standards (external link) ANKC The Dingo (Canis lupus dingo), is a type of wild dog, probably descended from the Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). ... For other uses, see Outback (disambiguation). ... Danny Woodburn (born July 26, 1964) is an American actor. ...

Hope Finch: 19, college student. College (Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an educational institution. ... For other uses, see Student (disambiguation). ...

Virginia Bugge: 36, a British politician's wife.

Mrs. Noh Nang Ning: 70, owns a donut shop, Yankie-Doodle-Donut. Relates everything to the circle. A chocolate-glazed doughnut A doughnut, or donut, is a deep-fried piece of dough or batter. ... Drawing of a self-service store. ... Circle illustration This article is about the shape and mathematical concept of circle. ...

Erin McColl: 47, lead singer of the 1970s band, Wisechild. Depends on her manager, Dusty, for guidance.

Her Royal Highness: 57, derives enormous pleasure from making everyone around her as uncomfortable as possible.

Birdie Godsen: 42, right-wing, Christian homemaker. Homeschools her children, and lives in a gated community. In politics, right-wing, the political right, or simply the right, are terms which refer, with no particular precision, to the segment of the political spectrum in opposition to left-wing politics. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Two homemakers. ...

Sheneesha Turner: 34, African-American, airport security guard. Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... A security officer guards a construction site. ...

Madam Nadja: 60, Hollywood, 'madam.' Never leaves her bed. ...

Chris Warner: 32, a lesbian. Her life partner is golf pro Midge Dexter (Julie Kavner). This article is about same-sex desire and sexuality among women. ... A Life partner is a synonym for a spouse. ... In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals in rigorously maintained. ... Julie Deborah Kavner (born September 7, 1950) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress, best known for her role as Brenda Morgenstern on Rhoda in the 1970s, as an actress in several Woody Allen-directed films, and for providing the voice of Marge Simpson on the animated television show The...

• Note, characters that only appeared once have not been listed.

Episodes

Season One: Romance, Charity, Nostalgia, Royalty, Family, Law, Vanity, Health, Death, Fame
Season Two: Sex, Fantasy, Mothers, Vegas, Secrets, Childhood, Food, 1976, Crime, Movies, Money, Race Relations, Supernatural, Politics, Music
Season Three: Marriage, Hollywood, Smoking, Loss, Agents, Age, Man's Best Friend, Religion, Culture, Sports
Season Four: Dating, Drugs, Scandal, Hair, Lies, Erotica, Books, America, Road Rage, Hype, Obsession, The End of the World

Controversy

The Asian-American community found the Asian character, Mrs. Noh Nang Ning, that Ullman portrayed, offensive. Ultimately, HBO supported Ullman, citing that she did not portray the character in a negative light. Tracey later revealed how she received letters from Asian youth, thanking her for her character, appreciating that even though they were rarely represented on television, 'at least they had her.' An Asian American is generally defined as a person of Asian ancestry and American citizenship,[2][3][4] although may also be extended to include non-citizen resident Asians as well. ... Asian people[1] is a demonym for people from Asia. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... Asian people[1] is a demonym for people from Asia. ...

Theme song

Starting with the second season, it was decided to film a new opening. In the first season, viewers would only catch a glimpse of Ullman asleep in a bed, with a voiceover being played, and were virtually unaware that Ullman played every character, or for that matter, which characters. In the second season's opening, Tracey would sing to her 1983 hit song, They Don't Know, not only as herself, but also in character, thus signaling to viewers that she was indeed portraying each character. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

Miscellanea

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• Ullman was unable to reprise many of the roles she portrayed in, The Tracey Ullman Show, due to copyright. The only character that she had a total hand in creating, was bank teller Kay Clark, who would return in the HBO series.

• Tracey was apprehensive about doing another sitcom without the help of James L. Brooks, and wasn't sure if she could pull it off.

• Characters Linda Granger and Fern Rosenthal were created and first seen in the special, Tracey Ullman Takes On New York. Characters Trevor Ayliss, Janie Pillsworth and Virginia Bugge were created and first seen in, Tracey Ullman: A Class Act.

• The original role of Timothy Bugge, the husband of Virginia Bugge, was first portrayed by actor, Michael Palin in Tracey Ullman: A Class Act. Two actors portrayed Timothy Bugge in the Takes On series in addition to Palin, Hugh Laurie (season 1), and Tim McInnerny (season 2). Due to being unable to keep an actor to portray the role, Ullman retired Virginia after the second season.

• Ullman sent the episode Royalty, to Princess Diana, hoping she would get a laugh out of the sketch, A Royal Visit, in which Her Royal Highness attends a dinner party, and has some scathing remarks about Diana. Also, originally in the episode, but cut out in the syndicated version due to Diana's death, attorney Sydney Kross makes a special video message to Princess Diana, hoping to handle her divorce settlement. Princess Diana, through her staff, contacted Ullman, saying that she had enjoyed it.

• The character Mrs. Noh Nang Ning was retired after the third season.

• Ullman felt as though she was being buried alive in the first season's makeup for the character Mrs. Noh Nang Ning. It would be altered during the second season.

• Her Royal Highness is a combination of many royals.

• Ullman fainted more than once on the set due to excessive heat and the heavy character makeup.

• A prosthetic penis was worn by Tracey when made up as the New York cab driver Chic and air steward Trevor Ayliss.

• Actor George Segal took over the role of Harry Rosenthal in the second season. The original actor, Michael Tucker, reprised his role during the third and fourth seasons.

• Ullman has admitted that the inspiration for the character Sydney Kross was Leslie Abramson, attorney for the defense in the trial of Lyle and Erik Menendez. The character bears an uncanny resemblance.

• The character of Chic was based on a real New York City cab driver who once drove writer, Allen Zipper to Laguardia airport. The line "You want to fuck me or you want to fuck my Mercedes" used in the series was an actual line that the driver used when talking about how woman in LA only cared about money.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... The Tracey Ullman Show was a weekly American television variety show, hosted by British comedian and onetime pop singer Tracey Ullman. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ... James L. Brooks (born May 9, 1940) is a three-time Academy Award, nineteen-time Emmy and Golden Globe-winning American producer, writer, and film director. ... Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943) is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries. ... James Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE (born June 11, 1959) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and musician. ... Tim McInnerny as Lord Percy Percy in Blackadder II. Tim McInnerny (stress on the penultimate syllable of McInnerny) was born September 18, 1956 and is a British actor. ... Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor, née Spencer) (1 July 1961–31 August 1997), commonly, but incorrectly, known as Princess Diana, was for fifteen years the wife of HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. ... Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor, née Spencer) (1 July 1961–31 August 1997), commonly, but incorrectly, known as Princess Diana, was for fifteen years the wife of HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. ... Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor, née Spencer) (1 July 1961–31 August 1997), commonly, but incorrectly, known as Princess Diana, was for fifteen years the wife of HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. ... This article is about the state. ... George Segal George Segal (born February 13, 1934) is a well-known Jewish American film and stage actor who was born in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. ... Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971 in South Boston, Virginia) is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who plays for the San Francisco Giants since 2004. ... Leslie Abramson (born c. ... Look up trial in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Awards

The series won 8 Emmys, including one in 1997 for Outstanding Music, Comedy and Variety Show, a CableACE award in 1996 for Best Comedy Variety Series, and GLAAD Media Awards for 1998 and 1999. An Emmy Award. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the year. ...

DVD

DVD

In December 2005, Tracey Takes On... officially came to DVD from HBO Home Video. Included in the first season's ten-episode set is a photo gallery, four previously-unseen character comedies, the special Tracey Takes On New York and an audio commentary on the premiere episode, Romance, from Ullman herself. Image File history File linksMetadata 220549. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 220549. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... DVD (also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) is a popular optical disc storage media format. ... For other uses, see HBO (disambiguation). ...

In June 2006, the entire second season of the series was released. Extras include a photo gallery, three character comedies (Kay, Hope, and Chris Warner) and commentary by Tracey on Las Vegas. Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

At this time, no plans have been made to release Seasons 3 and 4 yet.

External links

• Tracey Takes On... at the Internet Movie Database
• Ullman Takes on New Television Series - NPR
• Tracey Takes On... TV.com
• DVDtalk.com caps and reviews