Tracey Ullman Takes on New York

Tracey Ullman Takes on New York
Written by
Directed byDon Scardino
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Production
Executive producerAllan McKeown
Producers
  • Mark Flanagan (supervising producer)
  • David Wimbury
CinematographyConstantine Makris
EditorMichael Hunt
Running time50 minutes
Production companies
  • Witzend Productions
  • Carlton Select
  • SelecTV
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseOctober 9, 1993 (1993-10-09)
Related

Tracey Ullman Takes on New York is an HBO television special starring Tracey Ullman. The show was Ullman's first project for network; it led to the creation of the sketch comedy series Tracey Takes On...

Premise[edit]

The Johnsons[edit]

Visiting Wisconsin couple Penny and Gordon Johnson get separated in the Big Apple. After actress Linda Granger is hit by a bus, Penny takes over her role in Finian's Rainbow playing on Broadway.

Family Reunion[edit]

Fashion magazine editor, Janie Pillsworth is reunited with the parents she disowned thanks to a colleague who is vying for her job.

The Rosenthal Affair[edit]

Harry and Fern Rosenthal welcome their daughter's future in-laws to the city. Fern becomes jealous and suspicious of her future son-in-law's mother.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

After ending her eponymous Fox show in 1990, Ullman chose to take a break from television and concentrate on motherhood, having given birth to her second child in 1991. That same year, her husband, independent British television producer, Allan McKeown placed a bid a television franchise in the South of England. Along with his bid he included a potential television programming lineup which included a Tracey Ullman special.[1] When his bid was successful, Ullman created the ITV comedy special, Tracey Ullman: A Class Act, which lampooned the British class system.[2] After its success, the American cable network HBO became interested in her doing a special for them. The one caveat was that the show focus on an "American" subject.[3] Ullman chose New York. The special entitled Tracey Ullman Takes on New York was filmed on location in Manhattan over a period of three weeks.[4] Three new characters were created for her to portray, along with Janie Pillsworth, and Janie's mother, Jacqueline; both characters were created and appeared in the previous British Class Act special. Weeks after the special's broadcast, HBO aired A Class Act on November 23, 1993, the special that initially sparked their interest.[5] After the success of both specials, HBO became interested in Ullman doing a "takes on" series. Ullman and her husband agreed, and the pair set up production in Los Angeles in 1995 to begin work on Tracey Takes On....[6]

Format[edit]

The special is split into three acts with one bit (Linda Granger being hit by a bus) shown from the point-of-view of two different characters: Penny Johnson and Fern Rosenthal (who causes the accident).

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

The special received generally favorable reviews from critics. Tony Scott of Variety wrote, "Ullman lends depth and insight to all her characterizations ... Ullman and the first-class cast surrounding her, the superior writing and direction give TV comedy a much-needed lift."[7]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Recipient(s)/Nominee(s) Result Ref(s)
1994 American Comedy Awards Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication Tracey Ullman Won [8]
CableACE Awards Performance in a Comedy Special Tracey Ullman Won [9]
Writing an Entertainment Special Dick Clement, Marc Flanagan, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Tony Sheehan Nominated [9]
Directing a Comedy Special Don Scardino Nominated [9]
Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety Don Scardino Nominated [10]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program Jane Ruhm Won [11]
Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program Tracey Ullman Won [11]
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Variety or Music Program Don Scardino Nominated [11]
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Multi-Camera Production Michael Hunt Nominated [11]
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special Sally Sutton (Ms. Ullman's makeup), Bari Dreiband-Burman (makeup effects design), Thomas R. Burman (makeup effects design) Nominated [11]
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program Dick Clement, Marc Flanagan, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Tony Sheehan Nominated [11]
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special Allan McKeown (executive producer), Marc Flanagan (supervising producer), David Wimbury (producer), John H. Starke (line producer) Nominated [11]
1995 Writers Guild of America Variety - Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event Tony Sheehan, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Marc Flanagan Won [12]

Home media[edit]

The special acts as a bonus feature on the DVD set Tracey Takes On... Complete Season 1.[13] It became available on Hulu in the United States in 2012.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Ullman 1998, p. xi
  2. ^ Butler, Robert (3 January 1993). "Television / How to Get Away From the Class System, or Not: Tracey Ullman is Big in America and Back in Britain. Robert Butler Met Her". The Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  3. ^ Ullman 1998, p. xiii
  4. ^ Ullman 1998, p. xiv
  5. ^ O'Connor, John J. (23 November 1993). "Review/Television; Two Antic Evenings Of Comedy and Tributes". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  6. ^ Ullman 1998, p. xv
  7. ^ Scott, Tony (11 October 1993). "Tracey Ullman Takes on New York Hbo, Sat. Oct. 9, 10 p.m." Variety. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Comedy Awards List Top Laughers". Variety. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  9. ^ a b c "HBO Takes Bulk of Prizes at the CableACE Awards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  10. ^ Cox, Dan (January 31, 1994). "'NYPD' scores DGA hat trick". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Tracey Ullman - Takes On New York". Emmys.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  12. ^ "'Four Weddings,' 'Forrest Gump' Screenplays Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
  13. ^ Miller III, Randy (26 December 2005). "Tracey Takes On: The Complete First Season". DVD Talk. Retrieved 27 June 2019.

Sources[edit]

External links[edit]

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