Full of characters
Tracey Ullman takes on hilarious new roles in HBO series
Why isn't Tracey Ullman the most famous performer on the planet?
She's easily one of the most talented — and hard-working — as she proves in her new HBO sketch comedy series “Tracey Ullman's Show.”
As she did on her earlier series, Fox's “The Tracey Ullman Show” (1987-1990, and alas, best remembered for birthing “The Simpsons”), HBO's “Tracey Takes On ...” (19961998) and Showtime's “Tracey Ullman's State of the Union” (2008-2010), the extraordinary actress brings to life a legion of oddball characters, some familiar, others original.
As Camilla, duchess of Cornwall, she reluctantly babysits her grandson, the toddler George, and teaches him all sorts of things — like drowning kittens and driving a tractor.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel frets constantly that her sex appeal will overwhelm all other world leaders.
When her assistant wonders about the cause of the delicious aroma on her suit, she replies, “Obama ... He's a hugger.”
Her take on Dame Maggie Smith finds the beloved “Downton Abbey” star creating an audition reel for science-fiction films.
“If Harrison Ford can crank them out at his age, there's hope for us all.”
In the Nov. 4 episode, she sets her sights on replacing Daniel Craig as Agent 007, James Bond himself, and scolds the producers.
“It's just 7 — Agent 7. Has nobody pointed that out?”
A standout is her take on “national treasure” Dame Judi Dench, who uses the public's good will to merrily shoplift, trash hotel bathrooms and destroy the tablet of “Harry Potter” star Rupert Grint (in a cameo).
Not all of her targets are famous. She's a zookeeper too attached to her charges. For one thing, she believes in naming all the ants. She's a cheery tech teacher instructing her class of elders — “silver surfers” — on how to troll the internet. She's uncannily convincing as a man who sets up office in a coffee shop.
She also resurrects a character first seen in Fox's “The Tracey Ullman Show,” sweet, frumpy Kay, who has given up her life to care for her doddering mother. A chance at happiness comes literally knocking on her door, but what will Mummy say?
A few jokes from the BBC-produced series won't translate to this side of the pond, unless you're familiar with British pop culture. I laughed at the Ken Barlow crack, but you have to be familiar with the long-running soap “Coronation Street” to get it.
Don't like a skit? Another one will be along in a minute or two, and Ullman just might sing and dance, two more of her talents.
She's not the world's best-known star. But this series should give her a leg up on global domination.