OR

Email Address

Password

Forgot password?

Once Upon a Mattress: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

See All

55

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

See All

4.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4.8	Your Score
4.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 20 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Once Upon a Mattress

Season Details & Credits

ABC | Season Premiere Date: December 18, 2005

Starring: Edward Hibbert, Tracey Ullman, Michael Boatman

Summary: Tony-winner Kathleen Marshall makes her TV directorial debut with this musical based on the fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea," which has been both a Broadway production in the late 1950s as well as a TV movie (twice previously).

Genre(s): Movie/Mini-Series

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E1. Once Upon a Mattress
Air Date: December 18, 2005

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

55

Critic Reviews

90

Baltimore Sun

J. Wynn Rousuck

Surely one of the most delightful examples of televised family entertainment this holiday season. Read full review

90

Newsday

Verne Gay

This version is a triumph. Read full review

80

The New York Times

Alessandra Stanley

The remake has everything that those earlier versions had and something more: Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett together and at each other's throats. Read full review

50

New York Post

Adam Buckman

Not that it's not a nice show, but it is precisely the kind of production for which the word "corny" was probably coined. Read full review

50

USA Today

Robert Bianco

Nothing works very well in this elaborate but leaden production, which seems more interested in Bob Mackie's costumes than in the characters they clothe. Read full review

50

Entertainment Weekly

Melissa Rose Bernardo

Why was the tired Tracey Ullman tapped to star in this candy-colored adaptation of the fairy-tale stage show? [16 Dec 2005, p.77]

20

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Charlie McCollum

While it's always good to see Burnett, something has gone seriously awry with this new version. Read full review

SEE ALL 15 REVIEWS

Write a Review

4.8

User Reviews

10

MaryS

Jan 2, 2006

FANTASTIC! It was great to see it redone, especially with Carol Burnett as the Queen. The entire production was a joy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

ChrisO

Dec 30, 2005

A delightful version of an engaging musical. The cast shined.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

7

DeborahH

Dec 19, 2005

Never my favorite musical, but thoroughly enjoyable. Good singing and dancing throughout, great costumes, casting, and sets --- I flipped back and forth between this and "The Simpsons" for 1/2 hour and wished I hadn't missed any of it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

3

BobW

Dec 19, 2005

Once again, Disney thinks it knows best... and as usual, it doesn't! "Mattress" is a classic. It is a fast paced, almost insane romp through a children's fairy tale, the way it REALLY happened [aka: The adult version] Yet, it can work quite well for children too, but not this Once again, Disney thinks it knows best... and as usual, it doesn't! "Mattress" is a classic. It is a fast paced, almost insane romp through a children's fairy tale, the way it REALLY happened [aka: The adult version] Yet, it can work quite well for children too, but not this version. The casting was great: Ullman made Winnifred her own, as did Burnett as the queen, each wisely chosing their own route rather than try to out do the original actress. Tommy Smothers was great and his little yo-yo- bit worked, but if I was casting, I'd have gone with one of the two best living mimes today: Marcel Marceau or the brilliant Bill Irwin. The score still stands up, and the musical department did a terrific job of "updating" the sound. So why such a low rating? THE BOOK! Why re-write what was already successful on Broadway? The original book was fast paced, corny, and magnificent. Here the writer heavy-handedly spell out everything twice over, add "depth" that isn't needed, and so slow down the pace, it's a torture. Why cut "Opening For A Princess" which tell the whole setup in 3 fun minutes, and replace it with dull dialog that takes twice as long? Why change Harry from a simple "Sir" to some "totally honest" L'il Abner wannabe? Why add a whole "dungeon scene" which adds nothing, and forces you to cut "Very Soft Shoes" to save time? I wish they'd re-release either or both TV "originals" [I have the '64 monochrome release, which takes the same amount of time, yet is far more enjoyable!] The NY Times critic said she thought this remake was great, and she thought it would be hard to get kids to watch the "original." Well, I doubt she's even SEEN the original. If she had, she'd have never made such a statement. I watched this remake with friends and panned it. They couldn't understand why, then I popped in my old tape. They all went "Oh! ...yes!"… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

1

richardg

Dec 28, 2005

I would give it a 4 or 5 had it been marketed to adults, but as a Sunday prime time offering for the whole family? We turned it on because I had heard Carol Burnett on NPR's "Fresh Air." I have admired her as a person for many years, but she really let me down here. Ms Burnett: did you I would give it a 4 or 5 had it been marketed to adults, but as a Sunday prime time offering for the whole family? We turned it on because I had heard Carol Burnett on NPR's "Fresh Air." I have admired her as a person for many years, but she really let me down here. Ms Burnett: did you know how Disney was going to market this thing? Do you think this is wholesome family fare? If so, I am disappointed. We are not prudes here, but we gave up on this thing after a half hour or so. Embarrassing. And Tracy Ullman as the princess? A little old and dumpy, no? Bad casting. Bad Disney. Anything for a buck.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

1

joes

Dec 18, 2005

I can't believe that Disney marketed this for small kids to watch. One of the heroines is a woman that is pregnant without being married and it is sung about as some romantic situation. The original play was meant for adult audiences, and to show this musical to young kids on the I can't believe that Disney marketed this for small kids to watch. One of the heroines is a woman that is pregnant without being married and it is sung about as some romantic situation. The original play was meant for adult audiences, and to show this musical to young kids on the Wonderful World of Disney is, in my opinion, irresponsible. The show itself was bland, corny and dated, which may bore the young ones from actually watching this mess of a movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

JohnM

Dec 23, 2005

Disney has fallen to an new all-time low. Until I visited this site, I thought my wife and I were the only ones that were appalled at what Disney was pushing as family entertainment. After the opening seen in which two of the main characters discuss their pre-marital pregnancy, my 7 year Disney has fallen to an new all-time low. Until I visited this site, I thought my wife and I were the only ones that were appalled at what Disney was pushing as family entertainment. After the opening seen in which two of the main characters discuss their pre-marital pregnancy, my 7 year old turned to us and asked how they could be having a baby if they are not married. This was not the subject I was prepared to discuss with my daughter at that particular time. What is more disturbing is that after looking at the many reviews on this production, I have yet to see any critic mention how inappropriate this was for a show being promoted as a fairy tale for children. I have no problem with this being shown on television, but please, call it what it is, at least include a warning that the subject matter may be inappropriate for younger audiences!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS

More From Metacritic

What to Watch Right Now on Paramount+

Find a list of the best recent and upcoming film and TV titles added to...

What to Watch Right Now on Amazon's Prime Video

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...

What to Watch Right Now on Netflix

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...

What to Watch Right Now on Hulu

Get a list of the best movie and TV titles recently added (and coming...

Current TV Shows

By MetascoreBy User Score

1 92 The Pitt: Season 2

2 90 The Celebrity Traitors UK: Season 1

3 87 Hacks: Season 5

4 87 Industry: Season 4

5 87 Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal:...

6 85 The Beatles Anthology

7 85 The Traitors [UK]: Season 4

8 85 Bait: Season 1

9 84 Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

10 83 Lord of the Flies

11 83 Riot Women: Season 1

12 83 For All Mankind: Season 5

13 81 The Muppet Show (2026)

14 80 Outlander (2014): Season 8

15 80 The Other Bennet Sister: Season 1

16 80 The Mighty Nein: Season 1

17 80 The Comeback: Season 3

18 80 The American Revolution

19 80 One Piece (2023): Season 2

20 80 Dark Winds: Season 4

SEE ALL

More From Once Upon a Mattress

SEE ALL TRAILERS

Seasons & Episodes

55

Series Overview
Season 1

55
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: December 18, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E1. Once Upon a Mattress
  Air Date: December 18, 2005