Lisa Kudrow discusses creating “The Comeback”

After 40 years in showbiz, Lisa Kudrow is making a “comeback.” Her HBO series, “The Comeback,” follows the story of a faded sitcom star, Valerie Cherish, who joins a reality show about her comeback journey. Created by Emmy-winner Kudrow and former “Sex and the City” boss Michael Patrick King, “The Comeback” first premiered in 2005. Although it was initially canceled after one season, the show developed a cult following and was revived for a second season in 2014. Now, twelve years later, it’s returning for season three on HBO.

During our visit to a taping at Warner Brothers, it was evident that Kudrow effortlessly slipped back into Valerie Cherish’s shoes. Kudrow expressed that returning to Valerie’s character after such a long hiatus felt “unsettlingly comfortable.” Notably absent was actor Robert Michael Morris, who played Valerie’s devoted hairdresser, Mickey, and passed away from cancer in 2017. Initially, Kudrow believed “The Comeback” couldn’t continue without Mickey. However, after some deliberation, she and King found a way to honor Mickey in the new season while tackling modern themes like AI and the changing TV landscape.

One special addition to the cast is Kudrow’s son, Julian Stern, who plays a tech guy on the show. Kudrow shared that having her son on set was a delightful experience and brought a sense of nostalgia, especially since “The Comeback” is filmed on the same soundstage where “Friends” was shot, and Kudrow was pregnant with Julian during her time on the iconic sitcom.

Reflecting on her journey from “Friends” to “The Comeback,” Kudrow revealed that revisiting the Warner Brothers set stirred up complex emotions. While some memories were tinged with sadness, like the loss of her “Friends” castmate Matthew Perry in 2023, overall, Kudrow expressed a deep appreciation for her time on “Friends” and the character of Phoebe. For her, “Friends” was a transformative experience that she cherishes, making her entirely content if people know her primarily from that role. The journey from “Friends” to “The Comeback” has been a full-circle moment for Kudrow, evoking a mix of emotions and nostalgia for her impressive career in television.