Tracey Takes On Season 3 Episode 6 Culture

Tracey Takes On is a satirical comedy series that ran on HBO from 1996-1999. It was created, written, and performed by British comedian Tracey Ullman, who played a variety of characters in each episode. The show tackled a range of topics, from politics and pop culture to gender and sexuality, using humor and satire to comment on contemporary issues.

Season 3 episode 6, titled "Culture," explores the world of art and the people who create it. The episode opens with Tracey playing a snobby elitist art critic who is attending an exhibition at a contemporary art gallery. As she walks around, sneering at the artwork and making pretentious comments, she engages in a hilarious conversation with a young artist who challenges her views.

Next, we see Tracey playing a struggling actress who is desperate to land a role in a play. She attends an audition for a Hispanic role but quickly realizes that the director is more interested in casting white performers in ethnic roles. Tracey's character tries to convince the director to give her a chance, but ultimately, she is not cast in the play. The scene is a critique of the lack of diversity in the arts and the discrimination that actors of color face in Hollywood.

The episode then takes us to the studio of a famous abstract expressionist painter, played by Tracey. Dressed in overalls and covered in paint, she is seen gesturally painting on a large canvas while narrating her thoughts about her creative process. The scene is a nod to the work of artists like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko and pokes fun at the pretentiousness of the art world.

The fourth segment of the episode sees Tracey playing a New Age art therapist who leads a group of people in a guided meditation exercise. She takes them on a journey through a landscape of color and light, encouraging them to tap into their inner creativity and express themselves through art. The scene is a parody of the self-help and wellness industries, which were becoming increasingly popular in the late 90s.

The final scene of the episode features Tracey playing a tattoo artist who is giving a client a tattoo of their favorite painting. As she draws the design on the client's skin, she engages in a conversation about the history of tattooing and its cultural significance. The scene touches on the idea of tattooing as a form of self-expression and the importance of understanding the cultural significance of the symbols and images we choose to tattoo on our bodies.

Overall, "Culture" is a witty and insightful commentary on the world of art and the people who create it. Through a series of exaggerated and satirical sketches, the episode pokes fun at the pretentiousness of the art world while also highlighting its importance and cultural significance. It's a testament to Tracey Ullman's talent as a performer and a writer, and a reminder of why this series was such a beloved and groundbreaking show.