Ullman has fun with the ‘State of the Union’
Published: April 10, 2009, 12:30 am
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A long conversation with Tracey Ullman is a thrilling ride in uncharted territory. As she discusses a character — say, Paulie Walnuts from “The Sopranos”— she starts talking in a thick Jersey accent, peppering her language with expletives. When she talks about one of her old characters, Ruby, the bosomy makeup lady who held old Hollywood’s secrets, she slips into that familiar voice, though it’s been years since she’s done her.
It’s easy to liken Ullman, 49, to a female Robin Williams because her mind works at warp speed, she’s hilarious, and she’s game to try anything. But truly, the British-born American citizen is very much her own person as she launches her second season of “Tracey Ullman’s State of the Union” at 10 p. m. Sunday on Showtime.
Each episode focuses on one day in America, with Ullman and a small cast demonstrating there is no such thing as a sacred cow.
Your Laura Bush is so on target, yet she does seem quite opposite you. Why her?
She is an interesting person to do, the stillness and type-B personality. I felt very calm, felt very serene playing her. I think she is a beautiful woman.
Do you write your own material?
Yes, with Bruce Wagner, a terrific writer, and it’s just the two of us.
There’s a lot packed into each half-hour. How many episodes and how did you work?
Seven episodes, and we were very aware, when we wrote the shows last year, we were trying to predict the outcome of the election. We had to try and imagine what was going on this year. I knew Laura Bush would be back in Texas.
How do you pick characters?
I just make a list of what appeals to me, and what is not too obvious and what hasn’t been done. I had no interest in doing Sarah Palin, having seen Tina Fey nail her so beautifully. I have this genius makeup team who will transform my face and angles of it. I have masses of wigs. I never quite know what one piece will make the character doable or right. With Renee Zellweger, I’m wearing lips like I am Shari Lewis’ Lamb Chop.
Do you know the people you parody?
I know Arianna Huffington pretty well. She loves the impersonation. I have seen Renee Zellweger around. I never used to impersonate famous people. I thought if I do America dawn to dusk, I thought I would have to do a few celebrities. I love that kind of stuff. I want to play a whole new part.
And you cross what was considered the line — you put on blackface. Any reaction to that?
Eddie Murphy was a white man in 1987, and I was doing the Fox show. My criterion is people exist and talk like that; I should be able to impersonate them. The black security ladies tell me I look just like their friend.
Is there anyone you wanted to do but just couldn’t?
There’s nothing I wouldn’t try. Becoming an American has freed me up psychologically.
What else would you like to add about the returning series?
I hope I get picked up. I really like working for Showtime, and the freedom. It’s an exciting time to be here; there’s a lot going on. Cable is good. People can’t afford to go out. Just stay home and watch premium cable. I love to make people laugh and doing my character acting. I have my big box of wigs. Have wigs, will travel.
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