Lisa Kudrow's 'The Comeback' series returns with AI twist

The beloved sitcom is back for a final season as Valerie Cherish, played by Kudrow, grapples with the impact of artificial intelligence on her acting career.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:23am

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Lisa Kudrow's acclaimed HBO series 'The Comeback' is returning for a third and final season, with the actress reprising her role as Valerie Cherish, a former sitcom star trying to stay relevant in a changing entertainment landscape. This time, Valerie must confront the challenges posed by the rise of artificial intelligence, which is impacting job opportunities for aging actors. Co-creator Michael Patrick King says the new season will explore broader themes of desperation and the struggle to maintain one's identity and career as people get older.

Why it matters

The return of 'The Comeback' is significant as it revisits a beloved character and series that has developed a cult following since its initial run in the 2000s. The show's exploration of the entertainment industry and ageism provides a timely commentary on the real-world challenges facing actors, especially women, as new technologies like AI disrupt traditional Hollywood norms.

The details

In the new season, Valerie Cherish, played by Lisa Kudrow, finds herself confronting the rise of AI-generated content and its impact on her acting career. The series co-creator Michael Patrick King says the new episodes will delve into broader themes of desperation and the struggle to maintain one's identity and career as people get older. Despite a 12-year gap since the last season, Kudrow was eager to reprise the role of Valerie, whom she considers her best work as an actress.

  • The Comeback first premiered on HBO in 2005.
  • The second season aired in 2014 after a lengthy hiatus.
  • The third and final season is set to premiere on HBO Max in 2026.

The players

Lisa Kudrow

An acclaimed actress best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the sitcom Friends, Kudrow co-created and stars in The Comeback as Valerie Cherish.

Michael Patrick King

The co-creator of The Comeback, King is also known for creating the hit series Sex and the City.

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What they’re saying

“We felt that the world may have escalated to the point of the desperation that Valerie was in in the first season.”

— Michael Patrick King, Co-creator, The Comeback

“Valerie Cherish is very dear to me. Important to me — and our work on this show, I'm very proud of it. I think it's the best thing I've ever done.”

— Lisa Kudrow

What’s next

The third and final season of The Comeback is set to premiere on HBO Max in 2026, providing fans with a long-awaited conclusion to the story of Valerie Cherish.

The takeaway

The return of The Comeback highlights the enduring appeal of complex, well-developed female characters in television, as well as the industry's ongoing struggle to adapt to technological disruptions like artificial intelligence. Kudrow's portrayal of Valerie Cherish has resonated with audiences, making the series' final season a must-watch for fans of smart, character-driven comedy.