‘The Comeback’ Revived By HBO For Third & Final Season

Excellent news!

Can't wait! She's been asking for one since 2022, at least.

Perfect! We need a 2025ish season after having a 2005 and 2015 season. This makes me happy.

Great news!

[quote]On the 20th Anniversary of her debut, Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow have brilliantly scripted her return to HBO, and we can’t wait to see that

Oh, so Michael Patrick King is going to get a break from writing/producing the dreck that is And Just Like That. Ugh.

[quote] On the 20th Anniversary of her debut, Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow have brilliantly scripted her return to HBO, and we can’t wait to see that

In this season, Valerie will now become involved with a lovable butch non-binary Hispanic stand-up comedian who likes to finger-bang her at inopportune moments!

Don't see how they proceed without Robert Michael Morris, but they've earned my trust that they have another story worth telling.

OH MY GOD!!!! NO WAY!!!!!!!! YEEEEESSSSSS!!! FUCKING HELLL!!!!!!

Now they need to give "Somebody Somewhere" another season.

This made me gasp!

r9 That story reached its natural conclusion and Bridget said many times she was ready to move on to other stuff. Maybe a decade or two from now.

[quote] Don't see how they proceed without Robert Michael Morris, but they've earned my trust that they have another story worth telling.

I am hoping they will treat his passing in a hilarious and irreverent way, and I know Morris would have loved that.

Love this show. I only watched it in 2020 and loved it. Both series were great.

Guess that means Lisa won't be doing white lotus 4.

Yay!

But can't imagine it without Mickey.

First scene better be at Mickey's mausoleum.

Such great news!

Wonderful news!

Will Valerie Cherish be going to Broadway in the new season?

They need to revive it again in 2035 when Valerie will be like Brendad Ickson.

I can see Valerie hiring some Gen Z influencer type to replace Mickey with lots of tension as she learns social media and tries to go viral.

I could definitely see her trying out TikTok and somehow getting cancelled by both libs and MAGA in the process.

YES

I still say this brief scene where Valerie explains the rod in her back is a masterclass in acting. Lisa Kudrow is so good. And I hate to see it, but you see how good she is in the stark contrast between her and Laura Silverman's clunky reaction to Valerie's story.

r24 that scene is heartbreaking. So much is revealed about Valerie in just a couple of minutes. Lisa was incredible, that scene alone should've won her an Emmy.

R24- It is amazing. That she could make Valerie so utterly human while being filmed with a hand held and playing a character that could so easily be a joke/unlikable-

The entire series was a masterclass.

The scene with Mickey in Season 2 when he says that he was to ill to attend the Emmys and that he hates letting her down. It gives me a lump in my throat now just thinking about it-

Lisa understands that acting is in the eyes- She is fucking brilliant.

Hacks has already navigated through the aging celebrity tries to learn new social media stories this year. Hope they have different stories to tell for Valerie.

I find Hacks vastly overrated. I watch it just trying "to get through it" which surprises me. I love Jean Smart but find the character utterly charmless. For me Hacks and The Comeback are on completely different levels. The Comeback is a classic.

Hacks is overrated and an industry darling due to a dirth of similar quality shows.

I agree r27. "Older person trying to navigate social media and other assorted technology" has become a cliche at this point.

r2 Deborah Vance is supposed to be a cunt. That's the whole premise.

This is most excellent news.

*That* beautiful and entirely unexpected storytelling shift at the end of the second series is one of my favourite moments from any television series. And now that the genie is out of the bottle, I really hope they can continue to play with the fourth wall.

I have zeeeeeero faith in Michael Patrick King at this point. He has lost whatever touch he had. Someone needs to save this new season from his worst impulses. I am deeply concerned.

That seems to be a thing now with supposedly great TV shows...they're really not that great. Unpleasant characters and meh storylines.

Looking at you Hacks, and The White Lotus, and The Bear, and....

This is thrilling news

Giver another take!

They better give Somebody Somewhere a proper final season.

r36 What are you talking about, it did get a proper final season. Even the last one was a bit of a chore for the showrunners, from what I've gathered.

She better get her Emmy

Valerie herself wins an Emmy in the second season.

Kevin spacey is on his own comeback and so why not cast him as the new Mickey?

Will there be role for me??

Yes, include the rise and fall of the career of Kellan Lutz over briskly broadly the same time period as the three series.

R31- That moment when the entire show goes from videotape to FILM with Valerie coming out into the lobby... It's one of my favorite moments - ever.

If you are a fan of the show you probably had your heart skip a beat-

More casual viewers may not "get the shift"

And then Lisa in that car, its pouring, the traffic- and her breakdown- it's just brilliant.

Only Fleabag has really made me really LOVE a show THIS much.. For very similar reasons- in the last 15 years..

(Succession and Industry have also been massive favorites of mine) post Sopranos.

Fucking Hacks does nothing for me.

Just now learning of this entirely unexpected news. I am so happy.

Variety rated Lisa Kudrow's performance in The Comeback as the 4th best performance of the 21st Century.

R43 I could have written your post. Entirely.....except for the last sentence.

I love Hacks, but mostly for Jean Smart. I think the show itself is a bit uneven but it's my favorite of anything currently running (though I have not yet seen the 4th season, which I heard isn't as good).

Have you seen Enlightened? I would put it third on my list after The Comeback and Fleabag.

R46- I loved Enlightened- I watched when it originally aired and was so disappointed when it did not come back for a 3rd season.

I remember really loving the 2 episodes that specifically centered on Luke Wilson and Diane Ladd-

I am so sorry about Hacks- I am currently 1/2 way through the 3rd season and it's very much for me like the book The Goldfinch-

"Do I ever start enjoying this?" Everyone says it's so great!

(and I love shows with unlikeable/flawed characters- clearly- I loved Girls on HBO as well- that one is my top 10 of all time, and I cannot wait for Lena's (I know that she is HATED here) next show Too Much starting on Netflix soon- and I LOVE that Will Sharpe from A Real Pain)

I find Hack's characters utterly unlikeable, the stories not at all compelling, and very been there/done that. I definitely enjoy Ava the most. (Hell I am utterly addicted to Industry and they are generally all repellent- and yet I LOVE those characters)

As narcissistic as Valerie is- she is utterly lovable.

Rewatch wise, Fleabag, The Comeback, and Girls are the most rewatchable shows for me- They are like comfort food.

I could have written your post, r47.

[47] Enlightened only had one season, I thought.

2! R49

[QUOTE] I remember really loving the 2 episodes that specifically centered on Luke Wilson and Diane Ladd

The episode titled “Consider Helen” which is centered around Diane Ladd’s character is a masterpiece. I also remember a memorable appearance by Barbara Barrie. Both of them should have been Emmy-nominated for that.

They can’t press those statues fast enough for you people.

Valerie, I’d like to invite you to set.

R53-

Stop inviting me to the set!

This isn't a party and you think actors just LOVE PARTIES!

But its a FALSE INVITATION!

And you are NOT a fan! I just know that you are NOT a fan!

Amazing. Now how do we get another season of Flight of the Conchords?

[quote]I loved Enlightened- I watched when it originally aired and was so disappointed when it did not come back for a 3rd season.

One of my favorite Enlightened scenes, Laura Dern's voiceover is masterful:

R56

That's the one! I recall it being a perfect episode. I stopped watching the flip immediately as I want to rewatch this show now.

(It's been well over 10 years for me)

ROTFLMAO-Season 1

When Juna wins the illustrious Peoples Choice Award and Valerie hugs her twice because the camera is on her--just soaking in the attention of someone else's moment--- followed by Juna's speech that ends with a tribute to Valerie --and the microphone dies immediately!!!!!

Valerie could be humiliated 10 times in 3 minutes-- and thanks to Lisa- it never gets old.

I love this show so much..

There was an Enlightened episode featuring Mike White's character and it was all about loneliness and how he's always feeling invisible, yet the enjoys the perks that can come with that.

I think that was the episode that turned me onto his work and I've been watching all his products ever since.

I know DL feels he's gotten a little too big for his britches lately, which I can't deny, but he has given us some really wonderful television.

And Mike White is sort of the epitome of DL, isn't he?

R59!!! I remember that one too!!!!!! Shit- that really was a great show-

I love her, and I love the idea of this, but I have a low gag reflex when it comes to cringe. I tried watching the first season but kept having to pause so I could steel myself for what was plainly about to happen next.

R61- I actually understand that.

My comment above is a great example. And she was humiliated from the moment she got to the awards show- basically every 2 minutes--

I adore Lisa Kudrow in this but I suspect she is not an easy person to work with/deal with. Maybe even a big bitch. But at least she's very smart and talented.

Smart? Based on what? She’s one note. She has no range.

I believe she was instrumental in shaping the scripts and look of The Comeback. If you don't like the series, you've got a point to make, I guess.

I rewatched the entire series this weekend and goddamn, it was even better than I remember. I was actually feeling bad for Paulie G, who isn't mentioned in the cast, but for sure relapsed and will for sure blame Valerie. I could see Valerie taking every shitty opportunity that came her way and spoiling all her Emmy goodwill and I could see her constantly auditioning new Mickey's and them never measuring up, because who could? I wonder what Juna's trajectory was? Go the Cameron Diaz route and marry some short king and retire to have kids?

If I recall correctly, the house they used for Valerie's house is actually Lisa Kudrow's house.

I wonder if we’ll find that Valerie retired after her Emmy win to spend time with Marky Mark and to take care of Mickey, but she and Marky Mark are having money problems and she needs to find work again.

I bet some young exec at a streaming service will want Val to reboot her “behind the scenes” show to follow her on her quest for acting work. I hope Mark’s cute but dumb nephew comes back. Ohhhh, maybe HE could be the streaming exec…

Yeah. Money problems for sure. Their takeout bill was astronomical

I know she's channeling Shelly Long and I know Paulie was based on some writers on Friends, but I wonder I who the others were

Could Valerie have joined the Real Housewives universe?

There’s not much difference between her and Lisa Rinna…

Best news I've had since the election!

R71, they had a little gag with Valerie in season 2 joining what I assume was a Housewives episode (proud to say I didn't recognize her.) it was a funny bit.

Yes r72, such welcome news. A year is a long time. I hope we're not all nuked to kingdom come

There was some online story somewhere years ago (Gawker? Jezebel? …DataLounge?) that offered a really great theory that Valerie had been based partly on Nicole Kidman. It uncovered clues on a mostly forgotten film Nicole had done around the time The Comeback had been made and discovered Nicole (or the film) had a hairstylist named Mickey, and there were other similar names. I felt like there were other speculated tie-ins.

I just went looking online for any trace of this story. Nothing! I give up! But search engines are weird now. Am I crazy?

Does anyone remember this, or has my dementia finally kicked in?

R75- I don't even care- I love the idea of it!!

I am huge Kidman fan, but you know that there is SERIOUS darkness there- like next level darkness.

Love this

Shelley Long tracks. Nicole Kidman does not. She’s been A+ list for decades and mostly for film

I always heard the Shelley Long rumor!

I feel like the Shelly Long rumor fits, but her run of fame was much earlier.

The Cheers cast seemed annoyed at Shelly as she was the only one considering the Acting, whereas the others were just saying the lines and trying to get to Happy Hour as quickly as possible. That doesn't seem like Valerie at all.

The Cheers set was one boozy frat party. Shelley Long actually had the audacity to concentrate on the actual work and be professional and they resented that. That set would've been very difficult to work on if you wanted to focus on actual work instead of treating it like a party.

I take it you are being facetious R80, because that sounds exactly like Valerie - concerned about the "craft" on a silly sitcom that really doesn't require it.

My kid loved Young Sheldon and it was amazing to see Paulie G as the dad. Lance Barber is incredibly talented. I hope he comes back.

R81 is Shelley Long

It is based on Shelley Long, but not Cheers. She did a different show that MPK wrote on.

That was mixed with an actress character that Lisa used to do at the groundlings.

Those two things combined to create Valerie Cherish.

People are so damn literal.

Valerie is LOOSELY based on Shelley Long, or, more accurately, is one of several people that went into the creation of the character.

r86 we'd now like to invite you to set

Lisa Kudrow talks about how The Comeback was created. At 30:00.

There are certain choices that Kudrow makes as Valerie that seem very much like Shelley Long. Valerie's obsessive focusing on minutiae on-set to her own detriment also sounds like what other's have said about Long. The standard complaint about Long was not that she was inherently evil or cruel but obsessive and meticulous about all aspects of the process and it drove her colleagues nuts.

Fantastic interview! Thanks for linking, r88.

Is Shelley on the spectrum?

No I think she has Comcast.

The new season will focus on Valerie facing eviction after mounting debts and HOA fees forced a low-ball sale of her apartment but she refuses to leave.

I always thought Sex and the City stunk so I'm not worried about Michael Patrick King's presence messing up a third season - I have always given most of the credit for The Comeback to Kudrow. If you ever saw Web Therapy that little online series she did with Don Roos which has similar vibes you can see how much is her influence.

The Ballses stoldeded Valkries monet's whiles she buz at Gelzun's wit Juner Milkrin!

Gove it bbaack now!

[quote]The new season will focus on Valerie facing eviction after mounting debts and HOA fees forced a low-ball sale of her apartment but she refuses to leave.

I'll sew fur steeln mah lif storee

You see a box of puppies, I see Korean barbecue.

She was right tho. That shit wasn't funny. And neither was Paulie G. I wonder which writer she based him on?

Watch the Palm Springs episode-

I fucking LOVE when Valerie is so desperate for the two gay guys to sign the release (after they fawned over her on camera) that she resorts to reciting/stealing verbatim Donna's (who she disdains) speech TO HER about not "CARING WHAT PEOPLE THINK!"

Lisa's eyes are everything to me- They show Valerie's desperation and deception- and it just never gets old.

The guy does not want his parents to know he is gay and in Palm Springs.

"A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME-- YOU CANNOT CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK!"

The line is not brilliant but her delivery IS. And the eyes.

Wasn’t the Palm Springs episode also where (towards the end) a drunk Valerie leaves Paulie G. that message with “Fatty had a party. Fatty had a party and no one came.” ?

YES ^^^^ I just watched it so its fresh in my mind. It was a tour de force and I suspect the episode that she submitted for emmy consideration

R24, Silverman's reaction is also brilliant. You couldn't be more wrong.

I just watched this show recently. I thought Season 1 was funnier than Season 2.

R63, I know someone who had a guest part on season 2 and she said Kudrow was a consummate pro and extremely pleasant, so you're wrong.

I'm glad to hear that, r104. As I said, I adore Kudrow.

That Variety list had it almost right, except Kudrow should be number 1, and Louis-Dreyfus should be 2. The asshats they put before Kudrow aren't fit to lick her boots.

No problem, R105. I'm happy to sing the praises of a star who deserves it. My friend raved about her. She said Kudrow acted very much like just an acting partner in scenes with her, not a star.

Kudrow is not only a comedic genius but also a great actor. The scene when she leaves the Emmys and gets choked up on her phone is incredible.

News this was coming back made my day.

She is the ONLY one of her "Friends" cohort who deserves every penny of her ridiculously large annual residuals from that silly sitcom. And apparently it was her idea to them that they band together and demand a million dollars an episode for the last 2 years, so she's also incredibly smart.

By the way, speaking of another "smart" aactress, I like Jean Smart a lot but find "Hacks" underwhelming.

Hacks is dreadful and will not be remembered well.

I'll take the heat for this but who cares: "The Comeback" is the best TV show ever made.

I don't know if a ton of people on this thread will be angry at that statement, r111. I won't argue. It's a perfect two seasons. I didn't think they'd be able to top the first season, or at least live up to it - I was 100% wrong. I am worried about that again, but now I know I was wrong once so I hope they do it again

Don't go away--"The Comeback" will be RIGHT back!

My only concern was how will they manage without Mickey, who was the soul of that show? But Kudrow and King are so smart and savvy that I trust them to navigate around his absence.

Jane, Jane...

There could be ongoing interviews for Mickey's replacement in each episode, r114. They could even be played by different celeb guest stars each week.

I picture her getting a Mickey replacement. Maybe he's just like Mickey in a ton of ways, but can't do hair for shit.

But then Lisa would be saddled with bad hair in every episode and you know that's not gonna happen, r117.

Is it because you're Jewish or a lesbian? Both Wow, double whammy.

There is no replacement for Mickey, R117.

A lot of the ideas here for the third season suck. Leave it to Kudrow and King, kids.

Tomato / tomahto r102. It was a bit hammy. It was serviceable and expected. It showed her being moved by the story she just heard but did not register any remorse over the fact that to them Vallerie is the joke. I’m splitting hairs and it’s not really noticeable except for the award winning performance that comes just before it.

For all of those people who couldn’t get through the first couple of episodes because of cringy, secondhand embarrassment (which the show perfects), the Palm Springs episode is the turning point when Vallerie claims her power. That episode is perfection and is a good payoff. I still use lines from it twenty years later:

[quote]I’ll have the Angie Dickinson…

Perfect line to express how absolutely out of touch and behind the times Valerie is.

[quote]Marky Mark WE’RE SCREWED!

When they oversleep and miss their poolside chairs. It’s just fun to say in Valerie’s voice when you know you’ve fucked something up.

[quote]They’re taking NAPsssss

Airhead girl at the pool saving four chairs for friends - said when someone is late or not showing up.

And Mickey was important but not the heart of the show. He was just a parallel version of Valerie - completely out of touch with how the rest of the world saw him, lost in the past. He will be missed. But Valerie herself is the reason for the season.

One episode better feature Valerie bragging to her Mexican maid about her 200 TikTok subscribers and getting her deported by accident in the process.

R124 you reminded me of another favorite line:

Ms. Valerie where would you like me to put the Scribble?

[quote]It’s Scrabble dear…

And when my husband blows up the bathroom in the morning just like Marky Mark did during Valerie’s confessional.

[quote]the noise…

I really could go on and on. Such a great show.

[quote]I need to know I am being heard. Am I being heard?

[quote]Costner?!?!

[quote]well, I GOT IT!

Wrong, R122. There was absolutely nothing hammy with what Silverman did. She was shown reacting honestly and emotionally to Kudrow, and she was great.

Agree with R127- Jane's (Laura's) reaction elevated the scene even more. She was perfect. It was very moving.

[quote] And Mickey was important but not the heart of the show. He was just a parallel version of Valerie - completely out of touch with how the rest of the world saw him, lost in the past.

R123, he was the soul of the show and far from just being stuck in the past. If you'd watched closely, you would have seen that he was up on things Kudrow's character didn't know--like names of current actors she got wrong. I know every episode of the two seasons like the back of my hand.

Let me add that Episode 1 and 2- SEASON 2- were probably one of the most impressive "season openings' ever.. 9 years had past and that is NOT easy to write-

SO MUCH happened so quickly, yet it felt real and NOT RUSHED. It was amazing.

One of my MANY favorite moments were when the execs tell Valerie the show starts shooting in a week- she tries to tell them that she would like a little time for a "refresh" - plastic surgery.. The exec responds that they like her because she was one of the only actresses (who auditioned for Mallory) Who looked real (i.e -OLD).. Cut immediately to Valerie walking out of the meeting on the phone with her plastic surgeon whispering to get an appointment..and she of course gets caught. (I cannot do this moment justice, and it happens quickly)

And when she is in the same meeting trying to pitch her reality crew of college kids (all filming her in this meeting and in the room) as being part of a documentary that will film her behind the scenes of "Seeing Red"

I really love supporting these kids wanting to get a leg up in the business!

(Executive) Well it would have to be a union crew-

Then their gone!

They somehow either humble/humiliate Valerie or show her true character every two minutes- it's brilliantly executed.

R93 maybe she'll end up in a Cop Video on YouTube.

R128, it was a hammy, obvious choice. I am surprised she didn't wipe a dry tear away. Yes we are supposed to see that Jane is actually moved by Valerie, but it's heavy handed. It's ok though, this is a comedy. Laura Silverman is not Cate Blanchett. It's all good. I was just saying it really showcases what a good actresses Lisa Kudrow is.

I found Silverman a wooden, terrible actress with an awful voice. By far the worst thing about the show.

I agree and disagree- for Jane she is perfect. Spider Eyes and all- She does LOOK like someone you cannot trust.

Silverman is great--her character is meant to be kind of wooden and inscrutable. And that scene where she responds to Valerie with her stricken look in the mirror was her best work. Really beautiful.

These complaints about Silverman are totally baffling to me. She IS Jane. Perfectly cast for what that character is asked to do.

Some of you idiots would absolutely ruin this show with your terrible plot “ideas” and casting suggestions. Thank god you’re just randos online and have nothing to do with the show!

R136. Thank you-

I couldn't agree more, R136. There are some really dense, tone-deaf people on this thread.

I loved Jane. And seeing her little animal rescue

Laura also gets to shine during the end of Season 1- When Valerie turns on HER and then turns back-- Its some great stuff. When they go to Jane's apartment??

I take back what I said- I actually don't agree- at all.

R136 really nailed it.

And I have mentioned before that the supporting roles on this show were expertly cast- there is really not a false note- Juna was a tricky role that easily could have been a one dimensional cliche, but they created (with Malin) a fully formed human being-

So fucking random, but The Littlest Assistant episode kills me. Charla you can't cross the freeway!!!!

Valerie to the camera- "SHE'S INSANE!"

It took me a minute to trust Juna.

The scene where Valerie storms into the casting session for Seeing Red to cause a scene and they in turn ask her to do a cold read is probably the greatest bit of acting ever put on a TV screen. There are about ten different layers to what Kudrow's doing there and she nails every bit of it. Extraordinary work.

R142- YES!!! Subtext and Subtext and Subtext.

I do hope that HBO reruns the first two seasons before showing the third.

Are both seasons not available on HBO Max?

R145- They are

Oh didn't know that, r146! Thank you.

R147- Any HBO series that ever aired is on Max- (to my knowledge)

Unfortunately, that's not the case, R148.

R149- Really? Okay..

Agree to disagree about Jane, then. She was written to speak in monotone and have zero personality? Ok. Everyone else on the show is superb, though.

If you watch the second episode in season 2, where Valerie tries to get Jane back on board as her reality show producer, you see Jane in all her ambivalence, and anti-Hollywood attitudes--someone who disdains the very business she has been working in. I'm really puzzled that people can't see Silverman is playing the character exactly as she was written. Kudrow said that on "Stars In The House." She said when Silverman walked out of the audition both Kudrow and King knew they had found the right actor to play the character they created.

[QUOTE] Agree to disagree about Jane, then. She was written to speak in monotone and have zero personality? Ok. Everyone else on the show is superb, though.

Oh my god, fucking let it go, bitch.

Silverman plays a character who uses the Oscar she has won as a doorstop. In other words, she perfectly embodies that character.

And I mean that as a compliment.

Oh for FUCK SAKE. I wasn't saying she didn't belong on the show. I am not dull. I know who her character is suppose to be. It is quite obvious. My original point was in that one fucking scene, the .5 seconds that they show her scrunching her face up and telling them to take the camera off of her was hammy and not good. I am not nailing the chick to a cross. Give it a rest for christ sake. Americans always have to take things to the extreme, it's either all or nothing. I don't like one choice she made so now I must want her dead, or at least banned from Hollywood. When did people stop being fucking adults?!?! Jesus Christ.

She uses it as front door stop.

[quote] Give it a rest for christ sake.

Why don't you take your own advice, R156? Sorry but people don't agree with your assessment of her in that scene.

[QUOTE] I know who her character is suppose to be.

That’s nice. Do you know how to write in English?

Also, thank you for outing yourself as non-American. Many of your inanely repetitive posts are now making sense.

R158, I am not asking anyone to agree with me. But just don't twist what I am saying into something more than what it was to fit into your particular narrative. And I am an American, R159. I have just noticed it has become a very annoying habit of our people to make everything all-or-nothing. And why would you be thanking me anyway for that? Some more snarky American bullshit.

R160, I didn't twist your words around at all.

[QUOTE] And I am an American, [R159]

Sure, Jan.

Having no idea who Silverman was when I first watched The Comeback, I was ready to believe that Jane was actually someone on the crew. That's how real she was.

R162, Trust, being an American right now is not something any would want to admit if it weren't true.