# The Tracey Ullman Show (1987)

> A late-1980s Fox variety show hosted by Tracey Ullman that mixes sketch comedy, musical numbers, and animated shorts.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/1579

## Facts

- Seasons: 4
- Episodes: 81
- Episode runtime: 30 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy, animation
- Created by: Tracey Ullman, James L. Brooks, Jerry Belson, Ken Estin
- Network: FOX
- Cast: Tracey Ullman, Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta, Sam McMurray, Joseph Malone, Anna Thomson, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
- TMDB rating: 7.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092469/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: breezy, irreverent, playful, nostalgic, whimsical

## Synopsis

The Tracey Ullman Show (1987-1990) is an American network variety series created by Tracey Ullman, James L. Brooks, Jerry Belson and Ken Estin for FOX. British-born actress and former pop singer Tracey Ullman hosts and performs a shifting cast of characters across short sketches, with support from regular players Julie Kavner, Dan Castellaneta and Sam McMurray. Over four seasons and 81 half-hour episodes, the show alternates live-action comedy bits with energetic musical numbers and choreography by Paula Abdul, giving each episode a brisk, playful rhythm rather than a continuing plot. Its most lasting element is the run of short animated segments that introduced the Simpson family, later spun off into The Simpsons, a Gracie Films production. Set in the late 1980s United States, the show is breezy, irreverent and nostalgic, with satirical takes on suburban life and pop culture. Fans of The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live and classic sketch variety will find resonance here in its mix of character comedy, music and animated experiment. Its appeal lies in the quick succession of bits, the quirky performances and the chance to see the roots of a television landmark.

## Shows like The Tracey Ullman Show

- [The Kids in the Hall (1989)](https://ember.film/tv/1462)
- [All That (1994)](https://ember.film/tv/3628)
- [MADtv (1995)](https://ember.film/tv/4250)
- [Saturday Night Live (1975)](https://ember.film/tv/1567)
- [The Simpsons (1989)](https://ember.film/tv/1313)
- [The Ben Stiller Show (1992)](https://ember.film/tv/699)
- [KaBlam! (1996)](https://ember.film/tv/513)
- [The Raccoons (1985)](https://ember.film/tv/4566)
- [Schoolhouse Rock! (1973)](https://ember.film/tv/9358)
- [Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1988)](https://ember.film/tv/3110)

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