HBO to Tape Whoopi; Tracey Ullman Special, Too

By Andrew Gans
18 Jan 2005

HBO will offer one-woman specials with Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg and Emmy Award winner Tracey Ullman in 2005.

Zap2it.com reports that the cable network will tape Whoopi Goldberg's current Broadway outing Whoopi — directed by Mike Nichols — at the Lyceum Theatre. Directed and produced by Marty Callner, "Whoopi Goldberg: The Spook Show" will air on HBO at a date to be announced later. Goldberg made her HBO debut in 1985 with "Whoopi Goldberg Direct from Broadway."

Tracey Ullman's latest show for HBO will be titled "The Original Tracey Ullman." According to the internet site, the comedic actress will "create a variety of characters from her own life." "The Original Tracey Ullman" will be filmed at Los Angeles' Henry Fonda Theatre in February. Ullman's specials for HBO have won nine Emmy Awards; prior outings include "Tracey Takes On. . ." and "Tracey Ullman in Trailer Tales."

About the upcoming Goldberg-Ullman specials, HBO Entertainment President Carolyn Strauss said, "I'm thrilled that these versatile and talented women are returning to HBO for new specials.Though both Whoopi Goldberg and Tracey Ullman have been tremendously successful in a variety of arenas, the unrestricted creative freedom offered by HBO has resulted in some of their best work."