Lisa Kudrow has undergone a striking hair transformation for the third and final season of 'The Comeback', which premiered on HBO Max. The actress, who plays Valerie Cherish, debuted a new look in the season opener, set in summer 2023 during the writers strike. The change reflects the character's attempt to land a role in 'Chicago' on Broadway, as she is documented by her social media assistant Patience, played by Ella Stiller.
Kudrow and co-creator Michael Patrick King have described Season 3 as the completion of a trilogy. The season sees Valerie offered the lead role in the first sitcom written entirely by AI, a dilemma presented by her manager Billy, played by Dan Bucatinsky. The show, originally cancelled after one season in 2005, returned for a second season in 2014 after achieving cult status.
The second season ended with Valerie winning an Emmy but skipping the ceremony to be with her hairdresser Mickey, played by the late Robert Michael Morris. Morris died in 2017 after filming Season 2 with Stage 4 melanoma. In Season 3, Mickey is no longer by Valerie's side, marking a significant change for the character.
King and Kudrow wrote all episodes of the new season, with King directing. They began writing in November 2024, meeting in person to develop the story. King called the show a 'weird gift' that appears during 'seismic shifts' in the entertainment industry. Kudrow noted that the show has become an event, making it difficult to produce annually.
