Lisa Kudrow is bringing Valerie Cherish back for one last act.
HBO announced it is officially renewing The Comeback for a third and final season, 20 years after the cult comedy first debuted in 2005. The news also arrives a decade after the show’s surprise revival in 2014 with Season 2.
The Comeback follows Kudrow’s character, Valerie Cherish, a washed-up sitcom actress navigating the chaos of reality television and the entertainment industry in a hilariously awkward fashion. Now, her journey is coming full circle.
Production Begins This Summer
HBO confirmed the new season will begin production in summer 2025 and is set to premiere sometime in 2026 on HBO and Max.
Series creator Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City) is returning alongside Kudrow to co-write and executive produce the final chapter. Longtime cast members Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, and Damian Young will also reprise their roles.
“Valerie Cherish has found her way back to the current television landscape. Neither of us are surprised she did,” Kudrow and King shared in a joint statement, hinting that Cherish’s knack for survival remains stronger than ever.
Valerie’s Last Ride
In a promotional teaser released by Max, Kudrow slips seamlessly back into character as Valerie Cherish. Dressed in her trademark red wig and chipper smile, Valerie tells the camera, “This is the last one. All right? Last time. Never doing this again. Well, I’ve got a new show. How’s that? And I’m so excited about it.”
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But the excitement quickly turns into the kind of meta meltdown fans have come to expect. After being asked to read her line “more excited,” Valerie repeatedly attempts to hit the right tone before breaking character and storming off the set. “You know what, I’m not fooling around anymore,” she declares as she exits.
The comedic promo not only teases the upcoming season but also reintroduces viewers to the signature awkward charm that made the series a standout in HBO’s comedy slate.
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HBO Exec Reflects on Valerie’s Legacy
Amy Gravitt, EVP of HBO and Max comedy programming, praised Kudrow and King’s work bringing back such an iconic character.
“Valerie Cherish is a survivor. On the 20th anniversary of her debut, Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow have brilliantly scripted her return to HBO, and we can’t wait to see that,” Gravitt said in a statement.
Fan Reactions Pour In
Fans of The Comeback were quick to celebrate the news on social media, with many calling the renewal “a long-overdue win” and “justice for Valerie Cherish.”
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One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “YESSSS I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONEEEEEEE.” Another proclaiming, “I DO want to see that!
YESSSS I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONEEEEEEE
— gg⚠️seeing green day! (@ggsitcom) June 27, 2025
I DO want to see that! pic.twitter.com/lJ7RqKl51t
— Lauren Bradshaw (@flickchickdc) June 27, 2025
Others were a bit confused of the significant delay in timing. Wondering why they’re revamping the show after 20 years.
What’s Next
Season 3 of The Comeback is expected to lean into today’s social media-driven entertainment world, giving Valerie Cherish a new landscape to awkwardly navigate. Whether she triumphs or spirals remains to be seen, but fans are ready for whatever happens next.
