Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 15:00:48 -0800
From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD)
Subject: GLAAD Commends Tracey Ullman HBO Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Robert Nowland
(213) 658-6775

GLAAD COMMENDS TRACEY ULLMAN SERIES FOR INCLUSIVITY

Los Angeles (January 24, 1996) -- The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against
Defamation (GLAAD) applauds Tracey Ullman's new HBO series, "Tracey Takes
On..." In this evening's season premiere, Ullman portrays a variety of
characters, including a lesbian by the name of Chris. Co-star Julie Kavner
acts the part of Chris' lesbian lover, pro-golfer Midge. In another episode,
Ullman plays Trevor, a gay flight attendant.

In an interview with Genre magazine, Ullman discusses her inspiration for
the piece, saying, "I really want to do gay and lesbian characters. And
Julie (Kavner) and I have always wanted to play a lesbian couple."

Additionally, Ullman cites the controversy surrounding the disclosure of
sexist and homophobic remarks made by CBS golf commentator Ben Wright as
contributing to her desire to portray a lesbian character. "I hated it when
that sportscaster (or whoever he is) from the PGA went on about dykes on
spikes...," Ullman says, "so I thought, what a great way to do a piece about
a lesbian couple: Set it on the PGA tour." Wright was dismissed by CBS after
public outcry against his defamatory statements, a campaign in which GLAAD
participated actively and vocally.

Ullman's exemplary track record on gay issues has been longstanding. During
the run of her FOX program in the late eighties and early nineties, "The
Tracey Ullman Show," she featured recurring characters David and William,
gay fathers to her character Francesca. The show's inclusiveness garnered a
GLAAD Media Award in 1990.

GLAAD encourages viewers to watch the show and express their support by writing:

Tracey Ullman, Creator
Allan McKeown, Executive Producer
and also
Jeff Bewkes
President
Home Box Office
1100 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
(212) 512-1000
fax: (212) 512-7776

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Loren R. Javier
Director of Information Systems
javier@glaad.org
http://www.glaad.org

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is a national
organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of
individuals and events in the media as a means of combatting homophobia and
all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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