Comedy fans of a certain age might be horrified to learn that there is an entire generation (or two) completely unaware of Tracey Ullman. Having conquered the UK with her talent Tracey left us and Girls on Top and crossed the pond to entertain America with her sketches, introduce us all to The Simpsons and give Ally Mcbeal psychotherapy.
But now Tracey Ullman is back on the BBC with Tracey Ullman’s Show. One episode down and the second series already confirmed.
In her show Tracey does impressions and sketches that revolve very much around Britain and British institutions. In fact the Guardian’s Sam Wollaston unflatteringly compares it to Little Britain. It is very, very silly and why not. It’s Tracey Ullman, back after 30 years, she can do what she likes!
In amongst a whole host of characters there’s Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Angela Merkel (OK it doesn’t focus entirely on Britain, Europe, it focuses on Europe) all showing sides of themselves we have never seen before. Tracey told the Radio Times that she wanted to do impressions of some of Britain’s most famous actresses because “I think we have wonderful older actresses in this country who aren’t afraid to look old – in fact, when America needs a mother they have to import one of ours because American women have done so much to their faces, they don’t want to look over 60.”
Will Tracey recapture the nation’s hearts with her new show? Time will tell. By which we mean… probably.
Catch Tracey Ullman’s Show on BBC 1 every Monday at 10:45pm
