Lisa Kudrow’s “The Comeback” Returns for a Final Season, Tackling the Rise of AI in Hollywood
Lisa Kudrow reprises her role as Valerie Cherish in the third and final season of HBO’s “The Comeback,” premiering Sunday, March 22, 2026. This season tackles the burgeoning impact of artificial intelligence on the entertainment industry, adding a timely and speculative layer to the show’s signature satirical style.
A Return to the Stage and a Changing Industry
“The Comeback” initially premiered in 2005, shortly after the conclusion of “Friends,” and offered a behind-the-scenes look at the world of reality television. A second season followed in 2014, reflecting on the rise of “prestige” streaming television. Now, the final season addresses the latest disruption: AI’s growing influence on content creation. The series films on Stage 24, the same Warner Bros. Lot stage that housed “Friends” from 1994-2004, a connection Kudrow acknowledged was “inevitable” to address.
Valerie Cherish Navigates a New Hollywood Landscape
At 60, Valerie Cherish continues to pursue acting opportunities, finding herself in a profession that increasingly values youth. She takes on a variety of roles, including a stint on a “no-budget” film, a brief appearance on “The Traitors,” and attempts to build her brand through a podcast and social media, with limited success. She and her husband, Mark, have moved to a condominium in Sierra Towers after Mark received a severance package from his finance job.
AI Enters the Picture: A Sitcom Written by Algorithm
Valerie’s latest opportunity comes in the form of a new sitcom, “How’s That?,” with a catch: the scripts are being written by artificial intelligence. The network head, Brandon, assures Valerie that the AI-generated scripts are within Writers Guild agreement, but stresses the need for secrecy. The sitcom itself features a generic premise – a woman running a bed and breakfast with her “hunk nephew” – reflecting the network’s desire for content that avoids the “complicated confusing storylines” of darker streaming shows.
A Commentary on the Future of Creativity
The season explores the implications of AI-generated content, raising questions about the value of human creativity and the potential for a dystopian future in the entertainment industry. Director James Burrows, appearing as himself, observes that while AI can generate jokes quickly, they lack the depth and surprise that come from collaborative human writing.
The Human Element Remains
Despite the focus on AI, “The Comeback” ultimately champions the importance of human artistry. Kudrow’s performance as Valerie Cherish, a character who is both resilient and relatable, underscores the show’s message. The series also revisits familiar faces from Valerie’s past, including Jane, her former documentarian and Lance Barber, reprising his role as screenwriter Paulie G. The passing of Robert Michael Morris, who played Mickey in previous seasons, is acknowledged with the introduction of Jack O’Brien as Tommy.
A Final Chapter
“The Comeback” Season 3 offers a satirical and thought-provoking commentary on the evolving landscape of television and the challenges facing actors in a rapidly changing industry. As Valerie navigates the world of AI-generated content, the series serves as a “manifesto” for the value of human creativity and the importance of staying true to one’s craft.