Why Tracey Ullman Loves Being Laura Bush

Comedienne Brings Her Multiple Personalities To The Early Show

(CBS)  Sunday nights may never be the same now that Tracey Ullman is kicking offer the second season of her hit Showtime comedy "State of the Union."

One of her newer characters is former First Lady Laura Bush. In one skit she get's a phone call from First Lady Michelle Obama, who is asking Mrs. Bush about items missing from the White House - such as a missing portrait of Lincoln.

As the former first lady is on the phone, you can see the portrait being hung in the Bush's new home. "What's that, Michelle? What is missing? Oh, heavens no. That painting of Lincoln and Mary and that their son Willie? I remember it well. She's wearing a yellow dress and has the saddest expression in her eyes."

How does she pull off her often spot-on impersonations?

"I loved being Laura Bush. It was so relaxing. Because, you know, she didn't change the whole eight years," Ullman joked, speaking with a southern drawl. "He looked so haggard. And it's those eyes. I love being her. And people liked me being her. The crew are like, they come up to me. 'Can I get my picture with you? Your husband sucks. I got a lot of respect for you, Laura.'

The whole idea of the skit was that all of the stuff from the Bush's eight years in the White House were crammed into the ranch and that they were having a garage sale.

"I got a fertility symbol from Mr. Mugabe and the dress and doll from Angela Merkel and I hated those. Jenna, come help me. And she's smoking again," Ullman joked, imitating the former first lady.

Asked if she's always had a knack for impersonations, Ullman said, "Well, I've never done the impersonations of real folks. …I was always just been a character actress and I decided to do it for this show "State of the Union" starting last year, because you get a lot of celebrity heat, Harry. You know, I became Celine Dion. Why not? You remember when she was on Larry King and broke down crying?"

Other characters she impersonates with equal gusto include Tom Brokaw, Arianna Huffington - and even The Early Show's Harry Smith.

Watch Tracey Ullman's appearance on The Early Show below:



"State of the Union" airs Sunday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.

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