Lisa Kudrow Confirms “The Comeback” Concludes with Third Season
Fans of Valerie Cherish, the eternally optimistic yet perpetually flustered former sitcom star, can prepare for a final curtain call. Lisa Kudrow, the acclaimed actress behind the character, has confirmed that the upcoming third season of “The Comeback” will mark the show’s definitive end. This announcement comes over a decade after the second season aired in 2014 and more than twenty years since the series first graced our screens in 2005.
Lisa Kudrow will reprise her Emmy-nominated role as Valerie Cherish for the third and final season of “The Comeback”.
Kudrow, speaking ahead of the new season’s premiere, revealed that the decision was made to provide a clear and respectful conclusion for both the audience and the character herself. “I don’t know if I’ll want to do it again in 10 years,” she admitted, explaining the rationale behind the trilogy approach. “So let’s be done, that way no one is asking what’s next or whether we will even want to do more. The most respectful thing we can do for the audience and for the character is make it a three-part story. It’s a trilogy, and this is the end.”
A Rocky Start and a Decade-Long Hiatus
When “The Comeback” initially premiered in 2005, it faced a challenging reception. Low ratings and mixed critical reviews unfortunately led to its premature cancellation. Series co-creator Michael Patrick King recalled the bewilderment surrounding the show’s initial fate. “We were hit with such a wave of disbelief and confusion because what we had done connected with us in such a strong way, we were so thrown by the fact that it wasn’t connecting with others,” King told reporters. “We didn’t know how that could have happened. We should have been given a second season. I don’t know why it didn’t happen, but it was definitely a disconnect from how we felt about what we had produced, which we thought was hilarious and unique and well made.”
Kudrow, however, maintained a strong belief in the project. She recounted that when King delivered the news of the cancellation, her reaction was not one of disappointment. “I felt really great about what we had done and knew that we couldn’t have done better,” the “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” star stated. “Someone is making a mistake, and I knew it wasn’t ours. I just thought, ‘Well, I’ll do other things and maybe someday they’ll change their mind.’ Ten years later, they did.”
Valerie Cherish’s Latest Endeavour
Kudrow’s nuanced and often heartbreaking portrayal of Valerie Cherish has garnered her significant critical acclaim, including two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress. The upcoming season promises to push the character into new, and no doubt hilariously awkward, territory. Viewers will see Cherish navigate the complexities of a new role on a show reportedly written by artificial intelligence. This premise is sure to provide ample opportunities for Cherish’s signature brand of misguided ambition and earnest, albeit often misplaced, enthusiasm.
The cast of “The Comeback” will return for its final season.
The returning cast for this final chapter includes familiar faces such as Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, and Tim Bagley, all of whom have been integral to Valerie’s journey. They will be joined by a host of new talent, adding fresh dynamics to the established ensemble. Among the newcomers are Matt Cook, Jack O’Brien, Ella Stiller, John Early, Barry Shabaka Henley, Abbi Jacobson, Tony Macht, Brittany O’Grady, Zane Phillips, Kudrow’s son Julian Stern, and Andrew Scott. The influx of new actors suggests a vibrant and potentially unpredictable landscape for Valerie Cherish’s latest attempt at a career resurgence.
Where and When to Tune In
The eagerly anticipated third and final season of “The Comeback” is set to premiere on March 22nd on HBO Max. Following the premiere, new episodes will be released on a weekly basis, culminating in the series finale, which is slated to drop on May 10th. This provides a structured viewing experience for fans eager to witness Valerie Cherish’s final bow. The conclusion of “The Comeback” marks the end of an era for a show that, despite its initial struggles, has cultivated a dedicated following for its sharp writing, insightful social commentary, and brilliant performances.
