Tracey Ullman's State of the Union

Vulgar and brazenly racy, it's unlike anything else on TV.

The fantastic Ms. Ullman is as funny as ever, depicting a new slew of characters in sketches that mock the way we are.

Her comic style is familiar, but much of Ms. Ullman’s material is fresh and up-to-date.

As with any sketch show, it’s all ultimately a hit-and-miss affair, but Ullman’s circus-freak virtuosity as a shape shifter-- and director Troy Miller’s rapid-fire pacing--are enough to carry you past the rough spots.

Many of the sketches are not funny per se--but some are not meant to be. [28 Mar 2008, p.63]

For all the show's missteps, there's always Ullman's undeniable talent to entertain. Her parodies of women (e.g. Renee Zellweger, playing a movie character who suffers from "chronic narcissistic squint") generally succeed better than her men.

We know Ullman has range. What this Union needs is focus.