This March, Tracy Ullman, champion of impersonations, returns in the all-new series: Tracy Ullman’s State of the Union.
The new sketch show will be a five-part limited series that takes a satirical look at a day in the life of America.
In State of the Union, Tracy takes on the persona of over 30 characters, ranging from impersonations to blue-collar heroes and everyday wackos.
I’ve recently had the opportunity to preview the first few episodes. In episode 1 we get an introduction to several reoccurring characters in State of the Union. You’ll also meet two characters that have quickly become my favorite: Padma Perkesh,a full-service pharmacist prescribing advice (Bollywood style) and Arianna Huffington, a political blogger.
Episode 2 is where you see Tracy really shine. Her performance took me back to the late 80s when Tracy’s show helped catapult the Fox Network from infancy to adulthood seemingly overnight. Ullman has the unique ability to transcend merely acting out a role to becoming a new person in each scene. I won’t give away the joke, but Tracy delivers a spot-on impersonation of Renée Zellweger that’s sure to make even the most rigid viewer laugh. Plus character favorites Arianna Huffington and Padma Perkesh return to raise the bar on pop-culture satire.
State of the Union is directed by Troy Miller. Alan McKeown, Tracy’s husband, is the executive producer for State of the Union. Three unsung heroes behind State of the Union are Make-up Artist Sally Craven, Hairstylist Martin Samuel and Costume Designer Jane Ruhm. Craven, Samuel and Ruhm play key positions in transforming Tracy into each new and very different character.
Tracy Ullman State of the Union premieres March 30, at 10PM ET/PT, immediately after the second season premiere of The Tudors, only on Showtime.
