TTO

Tracey Ullman's State of the Union

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The Tracey Ullman Show (Fox)
Tracey Takes On (HBO) 
Visible Panty Lines (Oxygen)
Three Of A Kind (BBC)
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Tracey Ullman: A Class Act (ITV)
Tracey Ullman Takes On New York (HBO) (draft)

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Reviews, guides and commentaries for the award-winning series

Season 3

1.  January 25 2010

• 5:30 AM in upper Manhattan: Ruth Madoff awakes without her husband Bernard and without her penthouse apartment with terraces.   She misses them both terribly. Instead, she's in a 700 sq. ft apartment on the edge of Harlem, and the neighbors are noisy -- and she again denies any knowledge of her husband's financial shenanigans.
• At the same time in a prison in North Carolina, Bernard Madoff is missing his wife and calling her name in his sleep.  His bunkmate/bedmate does not take kindly to being called Ruth -- but now that Bernard is awake, it's time for a Bloomberg minute (or should that be a Bloomberg quickie?) [I'll never think of Bloomberg minutes in the same way again]
• At O'Hare Airport, Chanel Monticello is on duty at the security gate.  One man walks through without removing his shoes; she stops him and makes him remove them and submit to screening again.  He moonwalks back through the metal detector. This inspires another passenger [Joe Malone] to do his favorite Michael Jackson move, which inspires Chanel to do the same.  Before long, everyone's dancing in tribute to the late King of Pop.
• In Clovis, NM, Vicki Emmings is driving down the road while attempting super multitasking: multiple phone calls, using apps for medical diagnosis, etc.  Her driving suffers as a result, as she's all over the road.  At a stop sign, one of her devices runs out of power, and the charger for it is missing, possibly stolen.  She asks the driver next to her for a quick charge, or even just tossing his charger over, but he rebuffs her.  In the midst of all this, she agrees to appear in a documentary about addiction.
• In Akron, Ohio, Carol Pohlgren (?), the owner of Day Labor Denim, a jeans company, is showing a new employee around.  She explains that their purpose is to sell jeans to people who want to look like they've been doing manual labor, but without actually doing the manual labor.  We see other employees breaking in the jeans, sanding them down or slicing them up (that last is for the Habitat for Humanity look).  Then there's the ever popular male wear pattern (phallic, that is), as Susan demonstrates.  CEO's really go for that one. [I was laughing so hard during this, I started to cough -- RR]
• In Somerston, West Virginia, traffic is really backed up, and in the middle of it is Ramona Petrie in her Husitsu Body-Trap hybrid microcar, literally dwarfed by the other vehicles around her.  An officer comes up and asks about the car; she tells him it gets 900 miles per gallon on the road.  On the highway -- well, zero, right now.  There's a call for help closer to the accident scene, and the officer responds.  Mrs. Petrie gets fed up (numb legs, and only 20 minutes until lung collapse) and turns around -- she drives under an 18-wheeler to do so, and with room to spare.  But speed bumps present a challenge to the Husitsu...
• In San Antonio, at the Cine Latino film festival, Penelope Cruz is interviewed about her latest film, "Chichis con Leche..." ("The Breasts That Feed the World"), a biographical film about her friend Salma Hayek and how, by her art, she's made this world a better place.  Salma wanted to represent Mexico in the Olympics in gymnastics, explains Penelope, but "tits happen", and her dream was thwarted.  Of course, that famous Oscar buzz is being heard [Oscar the bug certainly gets around -- RR].  In the clip, Penelope (as Salma) is being made up as Frida Kahlo during the making of Frida.  She knows the makeup and leg brace should help with the Oscars (remember Nicole Kidman and her nose for The Hours), but it is frustrating.  And she won't be giving up her chichis!  This makes for a problem as she leaves the trailer: being top-heavy and having limited mobility, it's all too easy for her to tip over, as we soon find out!
• Back in Clovis, NM, Vicki Emmings is reporting for what she thinks is a meeting with the documentary filmmakers.  Instead, her family is there; it's an intervention.  Her son reads a statement he wrote (on paper? couldn't he have e-mailed it) where he laments how she's changed and become more remote.  She agrees to go to a retreat where cell phones and other technology are banned -- just after she gets a last charge.  They try to restrain her from the outlet...
• In Washington, the NBC reporter who bears a resemblance to Campbell Brown files a story on a new book on Bernard Madoff.  The publisher refers to the intense interest in the book as "a dark Harry Potter phenomenon", The book links Madoff to the Indian Ocean tsunami, 9/11 and swine flu, and it further claims that he secretly wrote "Feelings", "You're Beautiful" and "Can't Stop the Music."
• In New York at the MSNBC studios, Rachel Maddow arrives for her makeup session.  One dab of powder -- no, not quite.  Arianna Huffington is being made up as well, and then comes Meghan McCain.  We also find Barney Frank there.  At the end, Christiane Amanpour shows up by mistake (she's not quite sure where she is in the world right now).  Arianna persists in referring to Ms. McCain as a young Democrat, to which she takes great offense.
• In Jasper, Alabama, we see a group being conducted through a Holocaust museum. After reviewing such profound and moving exhibits as camp uniforms worn by homosexuals and a Torah written from memory and hidden beneath the floor of Auschwitz,  they review a new exhibit for those who have committed crimes against the Jewish people: Himmler -- Speer -- Bernard Madoff (his statue was decapitated by a couple from Florida shortly after installation; they'd lost $10 million due to his fraud) [this is starting to seem like piling on -- RR]
• In Tempe, Arizona, Vicki Emmings is at the no-tech clinic reading a book -- with paper, and by hand. No one's been online in years (billing department excepted, of course). She is recovering somewhat, but the cell phones on the film crew may prove to be too much of a temptation...
• America is addicted to addiction ... and to interventions.  For ever citizen, there are four others available to help them recover -- and readmit them after their relapses.  Good night, America.

2.  February 1 2010

• 4:15 AM in Georgia: Economic realities have driven India to outsource its technical support to the US.  We see a woman trying to help an Indian man with his cell phone problem.  He's skeptical that she's actually in Mumbai; although she tries to "prove" otherwise, he sees through the charade: "you're an American, go to hell." She's tired of pretending she's an Indian, too, but she presses on... [seems like the reverse situation of that in Mumbai Calling -- RR]
• In Buffalo, Linda Alvarez is at the anchor desk, telling us about Candy Spelling seeking to employ someone to wipe her after her bathroom business.  Real dirty work... [yuk! -- RR]
• At a job fair in Flat River, Missouri, a woman named Emily is desparate for a job after losing her home and most of her name.  The former newspaper managing editor at the head of the line (Sam McMurray) asks her to hold his place so he can use the restroom; she refuses, but he leaves anyway.  She's interviewed by a local station: she used to be involved in the work-from-home business: call up folks, sell them on the idea of working from home so that they can call more folks and sell them on the idea of working from home, etc.  She'll do anything!  The ex-editor comes back and resumes his place in line; she objects, there's a scuffle, and in the ensuing brouhaha, she is able to drop off her resume... [at least this wasn't a bread line -- RR]
• Out in Thousand Oaks, California, Angela Suleman, the mother of the Octomom, is babysitting her 14 grandchildren.  Even with help, it's an overwhelming experience, and mother's getting her nails done.  As the sound of crying builds, something snaps.  She gets up, announces she's going for a walk, and leaves the yard. [I don't blame her -- RR]
• In Northern Virginia not far from Langley, there's another job fair for ex-military personnel.  A reporter interviews one veteran who specialized in prisoner rendition, but not at Guantanamo ("entry level"): no, this was in flight at over 40,000 feet, never having to land for three years and thereby bypass the Geneva Convention. "Geneva's just another word for nothing left to lose" ["Geneva"="freedom" - RR], says our veteran, who's looking for Somali pirate interdiction or even Hollywood consulting work.  There's word of a bomb threat, and everyone leaves except for our vet, who may have had something to do with the threat....
• In Century City, Candy Spelling is interviewing applicants for that very personal assistance job.  The current candidate hasn't read her autobiography, so Candy calls for a copy from Barnes & Noble -- the branch inside her condo (soon to be replaced by a CVS).  Her dog Tori -- yes, named for daughter Tori -- does her own vetting of the candidates for the "freshening" position, and she doesn't like this one, eventually going for her throat...
• In Oxnard, Angela Suleman is still walking.  She finds a pacifier in her robe, looks at it briefly, then tosses it aside.  Her cell phone rings (the ring tone is a baby crying); it's Nadia, wondering what has happened to her.  She tosses the phone aside as well and keeps on walking. [I still don't blame her -- RR]
• In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, pharmacist Padma Perkesh is filling prescriptions for one of her clients (Joseph Malone).  He mentions having recently seen Slumdog Millionaire and asks her and her staff to do one of those dance numbers.  Reticent at first, they eventually do, and he joins in.  No need for him to go to India, though; he'll wait for the Vegas version.  But he better take his asthma medication soon!
• At the Tribeca Film Festival, Matthew McConaughey is interviewed about his latest film, "First You Google".  It's an opportunity for him to take his shirt off and reveal his six-pack.  The movie is a bit of a departure for him: a remake of "First You Cry" but from the perspective of a man with breast cancer.  Yes, the buzzing of Oscar is present here as we see a clip.
• Time for the news from Washington:  In the case of a major asteroid strike, the only form of life likely to survive is Afghan warriors.  Yes, not even cockroaches and plankton would survive, but Afghani fighters would, with their ability to find hiding places.  Said a Cornell professor, "You just can't kill them."  Bad news for the meek, who wouldn't be inheriting the earth... [a very pointed reference to the ability to capture Bin Laden -- RR]
• In Milwaukee, a couple is on a date arranged by a Jewish dating agency for those who want to date within their faith. She is a very stereotypical Jew; he, much less so. She, Shana Shonstein, becomes more suspicious of him as the date progresses, but finally, the secret is out: he's not Jewish at all, but he really likes Jewish women.  But this Jewish woman does not return the favor, and the date ends badly ("call the Mossad!") [you almost expect her to be yelling "unclean!" - RR]
• Late at night, nearing the coast, Octo-Grandmom is still walking; she seems at peace.  Then she hears crying.  It can't be the phone; she threw that away.  She counts up the children and can only come up with 7 -- turns out number 8 was hidden in her robe and has been with her the whole time!  She now has the chance for some one-on-one time with this grandchild. [yes, she could be a good grandmother, but not with 8 babies at once! -- RR]
• It used to be that octuplets were extremely rare: once in a hundred years.  Now there's a whole online community of octomoms and octodads, each with their own corporate sponsors and reality shows.  Good night, America.

3.  February 8 2010

• 6 AM in south Utah: a woman is dropping off her son at a boot camp known for using borderline legal disciplinary methods.  He's incorrigible and an abuser of oxycontin and Viagra (at 12!).  He wises up to what's going on and puts up a fierce struggle, but he's led away.  Mother is relieved....
• At the Supreme Court, new Justice Sonia Sotomayor still finds it hard to believe that she's on the court
• Over at the Capitol, a committee hearing room is being set up.  Polly is doing a mike check and is really laying into Dick Cheney.  Good thing he's not around anymore -- but thanks to secret monitoring devices, he is around, and so are some minions.  One of them delivers a poison dart to Polly....
• At O'Hare airport, Chanel Monticello is on the job.  It seems that the men of Indian descent are looking forward to being searched by her because she searched Shahrukh Khan, India's biggest movie star, but Chanel won't search just for that reason. "This is body search, not Star Search", she says.  She won't engage in profiling, and just to prove it, she calls for a middle-aged woman to get the full treatment....
• In Jupiter, Florida, a tennis coach is training her 9-year-old student.  Today's training involves grunts and noises, the true road to victories and a Tag Heuer contract.  But young Ashley is having a difficult time of it.  Coach finds a motivation for her, though, and things start looking up.  Might come in useful on her wedding night, too....
• In Oak Ridge, Padma Perkesh is reading the latest on Shahrukh Khan.  The locals aren't too up on him, though.  Then we see another dance number.  Is it Shahrukh? Nah, it's just Brian, the local drug rep.
• Afternoon in Osborne, Kansas: an emotionally devastated woman is on a park bench. A young man (Johnny McKeown, Tracey's son) sits down by her and asks what's wrong, and she tells him: her life was ruined by Sacha Baron-Cohen.  His antics as Bruno caused her and her husband to lose her mortuary.  Is that entertainment? He also went after her nephew, who wanted to become a clown: Borat got him to do some strange things with a mountain goat involving substances not intended to be placed in hair.  The video went on YouTube; the nephew hanged himself.  Is that entertainment, is that humor, she cries.  Not really, the young man responds -- but is it still up there?  She's not amused...
• In Honolulu, Jacqueline Lord is interviewed on the one-year anniversary of her museum dedicated to Hawaiian television in general and "Hawaii Five-O" in particular.  The museum is doing well, she sells. One thing she has no tolerance for is the birther movement, those who claim that President Obama wasn't really born in Hawaii.  She produces evidence from the set that he was there as a newborn [anachronism: the show started in '68, when the President would have been 7].
• Back in DC, the reporter who bears a resemblance to Campbell Brown tells us of the relationship that developed between an LA blogger and a New York Times reporter.
• On a plane that's experiencing very rough turbulence, flight attendents Dee McNally and Candy Cantwell are strapped in, complaining about the youth of the crew.  The passengers are complaining, but Dee lets them know in her curt way that she won't take it.  They recall the glamour of the early days.  The shaking comes to an end; it turns out the shaking was due to light armor tanks being loaded in the cargo hold, enabling the airline to lower fares to $19.99.  A 10-hour flight awaits: 8 on the tarmac, 2 in the air....
• Brenda McKinney, the mother who dropped her son at that boot camp, returns home to find that he's beaten her home, thanks to an escape that involved his carjacking a car carrying a family of five.  Only now has the camp learned he's missing and calls her up.  She lets them know what she thinks of them.  And as for young Curt -- he did show a lot of initiative and stamina.  Maybe he does have a future after all...
• The love of a mother for her son... is about to be tested when the family that was carjacked sues her for over $8 million.  Their attorney is also involved in the People vs. Sacha Baron-Cohen.

4.  February 15 2010

5.  February 22 2010

6.  March 1 2010

7.  March 8 2010

Page written by Roger Reini
©2010 R. W. Reini
Last modified: January 31, 2010