Series synopsis
The Comeback is an American comedy drama television series that premiered on HBO on June 5, 2005. It ended on May 10, 2026. It was created by Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow. It stars Lisa Kudrow, Malin Åkerman, Robert Bagnell and Lance Barber.
For Valerie Cherish, no price is too high to pay for clinging to the spotlight. Desperate to revive her career, she agrees to star in a reality TV series, allowing cameras to follow her every move as she lands a part on a new network sitcom.
Premise
For Valerie Cherish, no price is too high to pay for clinging to the spotlight. Desperate to revive her career, she agrees to star in a reality TV series, allowing cameras to follow her every move as she lands a part on a new network sitcom.
Premise: It's time to face reality.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish
- Malin Åkerman as Juna Millken
- Robert Bagnell as Tom Peterman
- Lance Barber as Paulie G.
- Robert Michael Morris as Mickey Deane
- Laura Silverman as Jane
- Damian Young as Mark Berman
- Kellan Lutz as Chris MacNess
Supporting cast
- Vanessa Marano as Franchesca
- Jason Olive as Jesse Wood
- Kimberly Kevon Williams as Shayne Thomas
Guest cast
- Tom Virtue as Eddie
- Cameron Diaz
- Willa Holland as Kalla
- Kim Fields as Kim Fields
- Dan Bucatinsky as Billy
- Sara Gilbert as Self
- Sharon Osbourne as Self
- Aisha Tyler as Self
- Sheryl Underwood as Self
- Mark L. Young as Tyler
- Lillian Hurst as Esperanza
- Julie Chen as Self
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 31 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | August 1, 2006 | August 1, 2006 |
| Season 1 | 13 | June 5, 2005 | September 4, 2005 |
| Season 2 | 8 | November 9, 2014 | December 28, 2014 |
| Season 3 | 8 | March 22, 2026 | May 10, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valerie After the Laughter | August 1, 2006 |
| 2 | Valerie Backstage at Dancing with the Stars | August 1, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Pilot Actress Valerie Cherish agrees to be filmed for a reality show in an effort to get a part in a new sitcom. |
June 5, 2005 |
| 2 |
Valerie Triumphs at the Upfronts Valerie, Mickey and the cast of 'Room and Bored' are introduced to the media. |
June 12, 2005 |
| 3 |
Valerie Bonds with the Cast After a table read for 'the first official episode,' Valerie invites her co-stars to a 'bonding lunch.' |
June 19, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Valerie Makes a Pilot Valerie learns that her old nemesis Paulie G. is creating a character based on her for a new HBO series. |
November 9, 2014 |
| 2 |
Valerie Tries to Get Yesterday Back HBO tasks Valerie to bring back Jane to produce a behind-the-scenes documentary. |
November 16, 2014 |
| 3 |
Valerie Is Brought to Her Knees Valerie meets her co-star, and becomes increasingly anxious about shooting an intimate scene. |
November 23, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Valerie Gets a New Chapter Valerie is offered a role in a new multi-cam sitcom – but is hesitant to accept when she learns it will be written by AI. |
March 22, 2026 |
| 2 |
Valerie Has a Secret Valerie meets her human showrunners and tries to convince a TV vet to direct the pilot. |
March 29, 2026 |
| 3 |
Valerie Faces Reality Valerie discovers that being back on a soundstage makes her miss her old sitcom team of one: Mickey – whose death she never processed. |
April 5, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | June 5, 2005 |
| Last aired | May 10, 2026 |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 22:30:00 |