Tracey Ullman Takes on New York
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| Tracey Ullman Takes on New York | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by |
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| Directed by | Don Scardino |
| Starring | |
| Composer(s) | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Allan McKeown |
| Producer(s) |
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| Cinematography | Constantine Makris |
| Editor(s) | Michael Hunt |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
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| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Picture format | 480i (4:3 SDTV) |
| Original release | October 9, 1993 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Tracey Ullman: A Class Act |
| Followed by | Tracey Takes On... |
Tracey Ullman Takes on New York is a comedy special starring Tracey Ullman. The special was Ullman's first project for HBO; it led to the creation of the sketch comedy series Tracey Takes On....
Contents
Background[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 sketches 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.
Premise[edit]
The Johnsons[edit]
Couple, Penny and Gordon Johnson travel to the Big Apple to attend a Broadway production of Finian's Rainbow starring Linda Granger. They inadvertently get separated and have polar opposite experiences roaming around the city: Penny's is good, Gordon's is bad. After Linda Granger gets hit by a bus, Penny is chosen to replace her in the show.
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]
- Tracey Ullman as Penny Johnson, Janie Pillsworth, Jacqueline Pillsworth, Fern Rosenthal
- Paul Butler as Jay Levine
- Dan Castellaneta as Gordon Johnson, Bryan Lynn
- Nell Campbell
- Maddie Corman as Sheila Rosenthal
- Blythe Danner as Eleanor Levine
- Jill Eikenberry as Jessica Stern
- Joe Franklin as himself
- K. Todd Freeman as Byron
- Dan Futterman as Peter Levine
- Jim Fyfe as Drug Dealer
- Robert Joy as Disgruntled Ex-Employee
- Josh Mostel
- Todd Oldham as himself
- Parker Posey as Libby
- Jerry Stiller as Theatrical producer
- Michael Tucker as Harry Rosenthal
- Michael York as Central Park Acquaintance
Reception[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 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program | Jane Ruhm | Won | [8] |
| Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program | Tracey Ullman | Won | [8] | ||
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Variety or Music Program | Don Scardino | Nominated | [8] | ||
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing for a Miniseries or a Special - Multi-Camera Production | Michael Hunt | Nominated | [8] | ||
| 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 | [8] | ||
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program | Dick Clement, Marc Flanagan, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Tony Sheehan | Nominated | [8] | ||
| Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Allan McKeown (executive producer), Marc Flanagan (supervising producer), David Wimbury (producer), John H. Starke (line producer) | Nominated | [8] | ||
| American Comedy Awards | Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication | Tracey Ullman | Won | [9] | |
| CableACE Awards | Performance in a Comedy Special | Tracey Ullman | Won | [10] | |
| Writing an Entertainment Special | Dick Clement, Marc Flanagan, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Tony Sheehan | Nominated | [10] | ||
| Directing a Comedy Special | Don Scardino | Nominated | [10] | ||
| Directors Guild of America | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety | Don Scardino | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | Writers Guild of America | Variety - Musical, Award, Tribute, Special Event | Tony Sheehan, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, Stephen Nathan, Marc Flanagan | Won | [11] |
Home media[edit]
The special acts as a bonus feature on the DVD set Tracey Takes On... Complete Season 1.[12] It became available on Hulu in the United States in 2012.
References[edit]
- ^ Ullman 1998, p. xi
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ullman 1998, p. xiii
- ^ Ullman 1998, p. xiv
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (23 November 1993). "Review/Television; Two Antic Evenings Of Comedy and Tributes". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ Ullman 1998, p. xv
- ^ Scott, Tony (11 October 1993). "Tracey Ullman Takes on New York Hbo, Sat. Oct. 9, 10 p.m." Variety. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Tracey Ullman - Takes On New York". Emmys.com. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ "Comedy Awards List Top Laughers". Variety. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ a b c "HBO Takes Bulk of Prizes at the CableACE Awards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ "'Four Weddings,' 'Forrest Gump' Screenplays Honored". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ Miller III, Randy (26 December 2005). "Tracey Takes On: The Complete First Season". DVD Talk. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
Sources[edit]
- Ullman, Tracey (1998). Tracey Takes On. Hyperion. ISBN 978-0-786-86340-2.
External links[edit]
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