Lessons in lampooning: Ullman and Oscars

This morning I came across two videos that make a mockery of things — but in completely different ways.

First, here's a promo clip for Tracey Ullman's new show, State of the Union. (Yeah, I should have posted this on President's Day, but I was too busy writing about illustrious historical figures, such as Beals, Holloman and Kirshner.)

How awesome is Ullman? Can't wait for this — it premieres March 30 on Showtime.

Next, Vanity Fair offers a fake "In Memoriam" Oscars montage that bids farewell to ... well, watch and see.

I'm not sure what I think of that. (Vanity Fair must have suspected that it might not have mass appeal, because on their site, they go to great pains to explain that it's a joke.) I mean, yes, it's clever, but this year's real "In Memoriam" montage is likely to focus on Heath Ledger and really will be very sad. So to me, the video is sort of in poor taste. (Of course, they probably started working on it before Ledger died, so maybe that's not fair of me.)

But I love the idea of mourning "plausible couplings" and "expressive female leads."

Plus, that's obviously Jodie Foster's voice at the beginning of the video, I assume from a past Oscars telecast. And yes, let's all have a moment of silence for "our last shred of dignity as a civilization."

Is it Oscar time (or Ullman time) yet?