http://www.dailynews.com/entertainment/ci_3218990

Ullman's warm Thanksgiving feeling
By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith


"Christmas is just a carnage, it's gotten so commercial," notes
Tracey Ullman. "I like Thanksgiving. That's what I've gone into now.
When I first came to Los Angeles, Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker
invited me to dinner, and we all went around the table and said what
we were thankful for," she says of the one-time "L.A. Law" actor
couple. "It was so lovely, we do that in my family now. It's so great
- no presents, no one trying to sell you things. They can try to sell
you a turkey, that's about it. And we reflect on things we're
thankful for."

The Berkshire, England-born comedy great, who's been living in the
States for 22 years now, is looking forward to her 19-year-old
daughter's return from the U.K. to join the rest of their family for
the holiday.

She makes it clear that she's also feeling thankful to have gotten to
work with Carol Burnett, with whom she stars in ABC's special
presentation of the comedy musical "Once Upon a Mattress" next month.

"Carol was one of my inspirations. She's been so generous to me
through the years. Early on, she sent me notes saying, 'What you're
doing is great,' encouraging me. Angela Lansbury did that to me as
well," Ullman reveals. "I hope to be as kind as the older person with
new kids on the block."

Tracey plays the wild Princess Winnifred - the role that made Carol a
Broadway star in 1959, the year Tracey was born - while Burnett plays
the domineering Queen Aggravain (complete with alarming Bob Mackie
headdresses and shoulder pads) in this version. Prince Dauntless is
portrayed by Broadway's Denis O'Hare. "Me and him - the post-
menopausal prince and princess. You never get to play that at our
age," Ullman says cheerfully.