Totally Tracey Online
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Are we missing the point of SOTU?
Recently, I posted this message to the TotallyTraceyUllmanClub Yahoo! Group, which has been actively discussing State of the Union. There are some members who really do not care for it and have been vocal about their dislike. Here's what I said:
Last night, some of my first remarks about episode 3 of State of the Union were that it was biting, incisive and insightful but that it wasn't necessarily hilarious (although there were indeed several humorous moments). Maybe the humor wasn't the point. Just maybe, it's the satire.
Wiktionary defines satire as "A literary technique of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. Humor is often used to aid this", as well as a satiric work. Humor is frequently involved, but it doesn't have to be.
Recall the segments from the first season where the woman who just had surgery is dumped on the street without sufficient recovery time and is living out of her car. Not particularly funny; in fact, you'd be outraged if that situation happened in real life, or you should be outraged. That was sharp satire. Last night's segments on J. K. Rowling and her ridiculously stringent enforcement of her intellectual property rights was also sharp satire, in my opinion. Certainly more humor there, IMHO (the stakes were far lower) -- ragging on a homeless man because he looks like Hagrid, come on. I remember Disney being similarly aggressive a few years ago with their cartoon characters, suing day care centers that had painted them on their walls.
If we focus on the humor or lack thereof in SOTU, then maybe we are missing out on the messages that Tracey is putting into her work. Sure, I'd love to laugh so hard I start coughing (well, maybe just before I start that), but if we're only looking for this, then we may be missing out on what she wants to say.
Just a few thoughts....
Last night, some of my first remarks about episode 3 of State of the Union were that it was biting, incisive and insightful but that it wasn't necessarily hilarious (although there were indeed several humorous moments). Maybe the humor wasn't the point. Just maybe, it's the satire.
Wiktionary defines satire as "A literary technique of writing or art which principally ridicules its subject often as an intended means of provoking or preventing change. Humor is often used to aid this", as well as a satiric work. Humor is frequently involved, but it doesn't have to be.
Recall the segments from the first season where the woman who just had surgery is dumped on the street without sufficient recovery time and is living out of her car. Not particularly funny; in fact, you'd be outraged if that situation happened in real life, or you should be outraged. That was sharp satire. Last night's segments on J. K. Rowling and her ridiculously stringent enforcement of her intellectual property rights was also sharp satire, in my opinion. Certainly more humor there, IMHO (the stakes were far lower) -- ragging on a homeless man because he looks like Hagrid, come on. I remember Disney being similarly aggressive a few years ago with their cartoon characters, suing day care centers that had painted them on their walls.
If we focus on the humor or lack thereof in SOTU, then maybe we are missing out on the messages that Tracey is putting into her work. Sure, I'd love to laugh so hard I start coughing (well, maybe just before I start that), but if we're only looking for this, then we may be missing out on what she wants to say.
Just a few thoughts....
Labels: satire, State of the Union
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Site updates, active discussion
As we await the premiere of episode 3 of State of the Union season 2, I want to mention that I have updated my guide to SOTU season 2 with last week's episode, and I've started a page for Tracey's 2009 talk show appearances. I've started to summarize her appearances but haven't had time to complete them yet, although I do have screen captures up for 3 of them. IMHO, her appearance on Tavis Smiley's show was her best one this year to date.
If you're interested in discussing any and all aspects of Tracey's career, come on over to the TotallyTraceyUllmanClub on Yahoo! Groups. The group has been going for nine years now and has really picked up in activity this month. And not all of the comments are favorable; some of the group members do not care for State of the Union at all and are not shy about saying so. I don't agree with their views, but I will defend to the death their right to hold them and say them (paraphrasing a quote often attributed to Voltaire but really made by Evelyn Beatrice Hall).
UPDATE: If you missed seeing her on Tavis Smiley, you can catch the full interview here.
If you're interested in discussing any and all aspects of Tracey's career, come on over to the TotallyTraceyUllmanClub on Yahoo! Groups. The group has been going for nine years now and has really picked up in activity this month. And not all of the comments are favorable; some of the group members do not care for State of the Union at all and are not shy about saying so. I don't agree with their views, but I will defend to the death their right to hold them and say them (paraphrasing a quote often attributed to Voltaire but really made by Evelyn Beatrice Hall).
UPDATE: If you missed seeing her on Tavis Smiley, you can catch the full interview here.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lots on my mind this morning
Well, episode 2 of State of the Union has aired, and I thought it was great. Tracey was in fine singing voice tonight, as were her guests in the polygamist compound sketches; they included Julia Fordham and Vonda Shepard. I'm at work on the guide and commentary for the episode and will post it in a few days.
Also showing up this morning is a profile in H magazine. There's not much that is new in the profile, but she does talk about the first time she appeared on the Tonight Show: '“Here I was, 20-years-old, on this show with these crusty old people, and I’d never sang live in my life,” she recounts. “I thought I’d be singing into my hairbrush, havin’ a laugh, and they said, ‘No, there’s this guy, Doc Severinsen, and he’s gonna play your song.’ It was like getting your great-grandparents to play your song. It was embarrassing.” Ullman was able to redeem herself on subsequent, non-singing, return visits to the show. ' Personally, I really enjoyed her first visit to Johnny Carson's show. Her next visit to the show is tonight, coincidentally; this will be the last time she'll appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno as host. Will she appear on his 10 PM show? Will she appear on Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show? Time will tell.
Also showing up this morning is a profile in H magazine. There's not much that is new in the profile, but she does talk about the first time she appeared on the Tonight Show: '“Here I was, 20-years-old, on this show with these crusty old people, and I’d never sang live in my life,” she recounts. “I thought I’d be singing into my hairbrush, havin’ a laugh, and they said, ‘No, there’s this guy, Doc Severinsen, and he’s gonna play your song.’ It was like getting your great-grandparents to play your song. It was embarrassing.” Ullman was able to redeem herself on subsequent, non-singing, return visits to the show. ' Personally, I really enjoyed her first visit to Johnny Carson's show. Her next visit to the show is tonight, coincidentally; this will be the last time she'll appear on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno as host. Will she appear on his 10 PM show? Will she appear on Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show? Time will tell.
Labels: Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, State of the Union, The Tonight Show
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Episode 2 tonight -- and a TTO DVD update
Well, episode 2 of season 2 of State of the Union is tonight. Playing a major part in the storyline will be the story of the wives of that fundamentalist LDS sect that was so much in the news last year.
Also, I've been remiss in not mentioning that the 3rd and 4th seasons of Tracey Takes On... will finally be appearing on DVD this summer and that all four seasons of TTO are on iTunes right now. Well, almost all four seasons; season 2 is missing the Music episode.
Also, I've been remiss in not mentioning that the 3rd and 4th seasons of Tracey Takes On... will finally be appearing on DVD this summer and that all four seasons of TTO are on iTunes right now. Well, almost all four seasons; season 2 is missing the Music episode.
Labels: iTunes, State of the Union, Tracey Takes On
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Many things
Many things to report now:
- The first episode of State of the Union is available as a free podcast on iTunes. I don't know how long it will be available that way. The entire first season of SOTU is available to buy on iTunes, as are all four seasons of Tracey Takes On....
- There are conflicting reports on when Tracey will be appearing on the Chelsea Lately show on E!. The original date was April 22, but the most recent listings have her on April 21. Play it safe, and watch or record on both dates.
- Tracey's appearance on Tavis Smiley's show is now confirmed for April 24, and this appears to be a new appearance rather than a repeat of last year's.
- I have started my guide and commentary on season 2. You can read it here.
Labels: Chelsea Lately, State of the Union, Tavis Smiley, Tracey Takes On
Monday, April 13, 2009
1 down, 6 to go
Well, the second season of State of the Union kicked off last night. I'm working on the summary and commentary for the episode; it will be a few days before I post it. I'm also still trying to determine my feelings about it. I had some low-grade chuckles throughout, but I didn't have any big laughs -- although the sketch with Heather Mills is growing on me.
I'll have more thoughts later.
I'll have more thoughts later.
Labels: Heather Mills, State of the Union
Saturday, April 11, 2009
One day to go
There's one day before the 2nd season premiere of State of the Union. There is also word that Tracey will be appearing on the Tavis Smiley show on April 24, although this is not yet confirmed. It's also not clear if this is a new appearance or a repeat of her appearance from last year.
Now for a blast from the past -- 25 years in the past. Here's an interview Tracey gave to host Gloria Hunniford for the Sunday Sunday program in the UK January 8, 1984. You can read my writeup of it here, and you can watch it below. Watching this interview and then comparing it with her appearance on The Early Show yesterday, it's apparent that she's aged very well.
Now for a blast from the past -- 25 years in the past. Here's an interview Tracey gave to host Gloria Hunniford for the Sunday Sunday program in the UK January 8, 1984. You can read my writeup of it here, and you can watch it below. Watching this interview and then comparing it with her appearance on The Early Show yesterday, it's apparent that she's aged very well.
Labels: State of the Union, Sunday Sunday, Tavis Smiley
Friday, April 10, 2009
2 days to go
There are now 2 days before the season premiere of State of the Union. More articles and reviews are showing up on the Web and in papers, including USA Today and Bloomberg News. And Tracey had a good appearance on The Early Show this morning, appearing in 4 segments: at the end of the news at the top of the second hour (commenting on Lindsay Lohan's latest difficulties), the next segment following (her main appearance), at the bottom of the hour (rabbit ears for all!), and helping to model a striped scarf.
Now there is word that she will be appearing on The Tonight Show on April 20. Of course, I shall be looking forward to this.
Update: CBS has posted her appearance from this morning, and you can watch it here or read about it here.
Now there is word that she will be appearing on The Tonight Show on April 20. Of course, I shall be looking forward to this.
Update: CBS has posted her appearance from this morning, and you can watch it here or read about it here.
Labels: State of the Union, The Early Show, The Tonight Show
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
5 days and counting...
And now the reviews start -- Austin360.com (affiliated with the Austin American-Statesman) has published a preview of three series beginning their seasons soon, and State of the Union is one of them. The critic liked Tracey's impression of Laura Bush and mentioned her treatment of last year's polygamist cult raids in west Texas, Renee Zellweger's musical take on those raids ("Seven Brides for Every Brother") and the ultimate in reality TV, "So You Think You Can Die?". Very interesting....
And in addition to appearing on CBS's The Early Show this coming Friday, Tracey will also be on E!'s Chelsea Handler show on April 22. (UPDATE from 4/14: she might be appearing on the 21st instead of the 22nd)
And lastly, The Tale of Despereaux came out on DVD and Blu-Ray today. Tracey was the voice of Miggery Sow in that, in case you've forgotten.
Update: the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Tracey will be the first recipient of the BAFTA/LA Charlie Chaplin Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy (BAFTA/LA is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles). She'll receive it May 8 at the British Comedy Festival's awards ceremony. That sounds like quite an honor, and well-deserved. Congratulations, Trace!
And in addition to appearing on CBS's The Early Show this coming Friday, Tracey will also be on E!'s Chelsea Handler show on April 22. (UPDATE from 4/14: she might be appearing on the 21st instead of the 22nd)
And lastly, The Tale of Despereaux came out on DVD and Blu-Ray today. Tracey was the voice of Miggery Sow in that, in case you've forgotten.
Update: the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Tracey will be the first recipient of the BAFTA/LA Charlie Chaplin Lifetime Achievement Award for Comedy (BAFTA/LA is the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles). She'll receive it May 8 at the British Comedy Festival's awards ceremony. That sounds like quite an honor, and well-deserved. Congratulations, Trace!
Labels: BAFTA/LA, Chelsea Handler, State of the Union, The Early Show, The Tale of Despereaux
Monday, April 06, 2009
Blogs and Kisses again
The official State of the Union site has posted a clip from the first episode of season 2. In it, Tracey is Arianna Huffington, who is speaking to the president, angling for an ambassadorship...
This sketch is hilarious, and it bodes well for season 2. I wonder if there is an alternate version of this sketch that presumed a McCain victory? I wouldn't mind seeing that as a DVD set extra.
This sketch is hilarious, and it bodes well for season 2. I wonder if there is an alternate version of this sketch that presumed a McCain victory? I wouldn't mind seeing that as a DVD set extra.
Labels: Arianna Huffington, State of the Union
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Past -- and present
Today, the day I'm posting this, is April 5. 22 years ago on this day, a few of us were eagerly awaiting the premiere that evening of The Tracey Ullman Show. We didn't know what to expect, but we soon found out.
One week from now is the 2nd season premiere of State of the Union. Most of us are eagerly awaiting the premiere, and we pretty much know what to expect.
And this Friday, April 10, Tracey is appearing on The Early Show on CBS to promote SOTU.
One week from now is the 2nd season premiere of State of the Union. Most of us are eagerly awaiting the premiere, and we pretty much know what to expect.
And this Friday, April 10, Tracey is appearing on The Early Show on CBS to promote SOTU.
Labels: State of the Union, The Early Show, The Tracey Ullman Show
