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Entertainment • TV Series

The Comeback

The Comeback is an American comedy-drama television series created by Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King for HBO.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Comeback is an American comedy-drama television series created by Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King for HBO. It stars Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, a former sitcom actress trying to revive her career through reality television and a new acting role. The series originally aired in 2005, returned for a second season in 2014, and aired a third and final season in 2026.

Premise

The series follows Valerie Cherish as she agrees to participate in a reality show while trying to re-establish herself in television. The format blends scripted comedy with mock-documentary presentation.

Production

The Comeback was created by Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King for HBO. Kudrow and King also wrote and executive produced the series, and King directed several episodes.

Broadcast history

The show debuted in June 2005 and ran for one season before being cancelled. It returned in November 2014 for a second season and later aired a third and final season in 2026.

Reception and legacy

The series became known for its satirical take on celebrity, reality TV, and Hollywood culture. It is frequently noted for its lead performance by Lisa Kudrow and for its unusual revival pattern.

Key facts

  • The series follows Valerie Cherish, a former television star attempting a professional comeback.
  • Lisa Kudrow co-created the series and also stars as the lead.
  • The show originally aired in 2005, returned in 2014, and concluded with a third season in 2026.
  • The series uses a mockumentary format to satirize television and celebrity culture.
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Canadian context

The series has been available to Canadian viewers through HBO-related streaming and television services, and it has also circulated in Canadian English-language entertainment coverage as part of HBO’s comedy catalogue.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Comeback about?
It follows Valerie Cherish, a former TV actress trying to revive her career while being filmed for a reality series.
Who created The Comeback?
Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King created the series for HBO.
How many seasons does The Comeback have?
The series has three seasons.
How many episodes are there?
The series has 29 episodes in total.
When did The Comeback first air?
It first aired on June 5, 2005.
When did the final season air?
The third and final season premiered on March 22, 2026 and ended on May 10, 2026.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Comeback_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series premise, creators, HBO network, original run, revival seasons, episode and season counts.
  2. Hulu — https://www.hulu.com/series/the-comeback-edeb5a00-6518-4c5b-ad02-6febca852eda
    Supports: Series description, starring cast, and creator credits.
  3. HBO Max — https://www.hbomax.com/shows/comeback/3235a74a-6fad-4a3a-875d-ef16b1be82e8
    Supports: Official series description and format.
  4. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/the-comeback/1000351255/
    Supports: Season count and synopsis.
  5. HBO Max — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1rVpVCNBgE
    Supports: Third-season premiere timing and final-season identification.