On the morning of September 11, Tracey made a live appearance on NBC's Today to promote the show just hours before the attacks began.

After the conclusion of her HBO sketch comedy series, Tracey Takes On... (1996–99), Tracey Ullman decided to take a step back from television, citing exhaustion from years of having to wear heavy prosthetic makeup for her many television characters.

Despite making a conscious decision to move away from television, she announced her intent to someday return.

In the meantime, Ullman busied herself with her online fashion-focused boutique and blog, Purple Skirt, which she had launched in 1999.

Tracey Ullman's Visible Panty Lines, a show showcasing fashion and style advice from industry experts, along with sit-down interviews with celebrities discussing their own personal style, debuted in September 2001.