One of television’s most iconic and relentlessly resilient characters, The Comeback‘s Valerie Cherish, is returning in an era dominated by digital platforms.
Ahead of the new season premiering on HBO Max on March 23, we attended an exclusive online press event featuring lead actress Lisa Kudrow and creator Michael Patrick King, where the conversation touched on both the upcoming season and its playful nods to Friends.
The Comeback‘s creator Michael Patrick King shared that the new season dives deeper into Valerie’s emotional layers. According to King, Valerie is a fighter who chooses optimism no matter what life throws at her. He pointed to the now-famous laundry room scene, where she embodies the mindset of “Why shouldn’t I be positive?”, as the philosophical backbone of Season 3. This time around, viewers will see Valerie not just as an actress chasing the spotlight, but as a seasoned professional who truly understands every detail of her craft.
During the event, I personally asked Lisa Kudrow how she feels about constantly being on camera, with every moment potentially recorded. Her response offered a masterclass in acting technique. Kudrow explained that maintaining the character’s authenticity requires embracing the discipline imposed by the show’s filming style:
“You never fully know when the camera is on you. So it’s not enough to just ‘act’, you have to be present every second, truly listening and responding.”
She also noted that, unlike traditional sets where multiple takes offer comfort, The Comeback demands that actors stay fully immersed even when the camera is focused elsewhere. According to Kudrow, this continuous presence is what makes Valerie feel so alive on screen.
One of the most talked-about topics at the press event was The Comeback‘s references to Friends. Kudrow explained that these moments were somewhat inevitable: “It wasn’t really up to us, because we were literally filming on the same stage where Friends was shot. She was just looking at the plaques on the wall, she didn’t even notice the TV shows! When she said, ‘We’ll be the first hit filmed on Stage 24,’ we all laughed, because, as you know, Friends was also a massive hit filmed on Stage 24.”
Michael Patrick King added a humorous take: “Our main concern was how close Valerie could get to saying the word ‘friends.’ That was our only focus!”
Hollywood Realities
One of the most striking technical choices in the new season of The Comeback is its visual storytelling. King revealed that the finale transitions from black-and-white to color to emphasize Valerie’s “human” side, a nod to the classic film Now, Voyager.
When asked how she copes with the pressures of fame in Hollywood, Kudrow closed the event with a heartfelt piece of advice:
“You have to allow yourself to love who you are before expecting others to love you. Otherwise, this industry can be very disappointing.”
With its new season, The Comeback offers more than just comedy. It once again explores the fine line between fiction and reality, as Valerie Cherish greets us with her unforgettable “hello, hello, hello.” Definitely not one to miss.
