Watch Tracey Takes On

Tracey Takes On was a Showtime original series that ran from 1996 to 1999. The show starred comedian Tracey Ullman, who played a variety of characters in different comedic sketches. Each episode focused on a certain theme, with Ullman's characters taking on the roles of different people related to that theme.

The show featured a talented supporting cast including Seymour Cassel, Alastair Duncan, Julie Kavner, Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnerny, Michael McKean, George Segal, Michael Tucker, and Danny Woodburn. The sketches ranged from satirical to absurd, and Tracey's characters were often exaggerated caricatures of real people.

One episode, titled "Tracey Takes On Hollywood," saw Tracey's character take on the entertainment industry with sketches featuring a talent agent, a struggling actress, and a successful movie director. The episode tackled issues such as sexism and ageism in Hollywood. Another episode, titled "Tracey Takes On...Family," focused on the complicated dynamics of family life. Tracey's characters included a matriarch struggling to hold her family together, a daughter dealing with her aging parents, and a single mother trying to make ends meet.

Throughout the series, Tracey's characters took on a variety of professions and roles, ranging from a flight attendant to a life coach to a journalist. One memorable sketch featured Tracey's character as a beauty pageant winner who uses her platform to speak out against the superficiality of the pageant world.

The show was known for its sharp wit and offbeat humor, often poking fun at societal norms and cultural expectations. It tackled serious issues with humor and sensitivity, making it a unique and memorable show. Tracey's ability to inhabit so many different characters and bring them to life was a testament to her comedic talent.

Tracey Takes On was praised for its groundbreaking approach to sketch comedy, and it earned numerous awards during its run, including six Emmy Awards. However, the show was also controversial at times, with some critics accusing it of being too crude or offensive. Despite the criticism, Tracey Takes On remains a beloved and influential show in the history of comedy television.