Entertainment
Lisa Kudrow on making “The Comeback”
After 40 years in showbiz, Lisa Kudrow is making a “comeback.” Her HBO series, “The Comeback,” is the story of a faded sitcom star, Valerie Cherish, who signs on to a reality show about her attempts to stage a comeback.
It’s equal parts funny and cringey, and so is the show’s back-story.
Created by Emmy-winner Kudrow and former “Sex and the City” boss Michael Patrick King, “The Comeback” premiered in 2005. It was canceled after one season, but became a cult favorite, and so the show was revived for a second season in 2014.
After that, it was shelved again. But now, a dozen years later, it’s back for season three, starting on HBO tonight.
To watch a trailer for “The Comeback” click on the video player below:
We went to a taping at Warner Brothers in November, and it was clear that even after a decade away from Valerie Cherish, Kudrow hadn’t missed a step.
Asked how it feels to be back in Valerie’s shoes, Kudrow described it as “unsettlingly comfortable.”
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Some things were missing. Actor Robert Michael Morris, who played Valerie’s loyal hairdresser, Mickey, died of cancer in 2017. And after that, Kudrow thought “The Comeback” was over. “It was a no for me,” she said. “I don’t know how to do it without Mickey. Unh-uh. Don’t know how to do it without Mickey. No. No, no, no. No, no, no.”
But eventually she and King figured out a way to do a third season and honor Mickey, all while tackling issues like AI and a rapidly changing TV world. Among the new faces on the set: a tech guy played by Kudrow’s real-life son, Julian Stern.
What was it like to have her son on set? “Oh, it was heaven,” Kudrow said. “It’s my baby! But he’s a grown man and beard, you know? Yeah. I was nervous for him, his first, like, table read. But he was great.”
Julian’s been on a TV set before. When her “Friends” character Phoebe was pregnant, Kudrow was actually pregnant with Julian. What’s more, “The Comeback” is being shot on Warner Brothers’ Soundstage 24 – the very same set where most of the 236 episodes of “Friends” were filmed.
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Was it special being back in the same place? “Yeah,” Kudrow said. “On different levels, it definitely is. We finished up ‘Friends,’ which was one of the biggest things in my professional life, and life, period. And now I’m finishing up ‘The Comeback’ trilogy, same place where I finished the other most important thing. So, yeah, that made me a little emotional. “
Maybe more than a little? “Maybe more emotional. It did, yeah. And my nose is running now. I don’t cry, but my nose runs.
“I never went through that period of, ‘No, no, I don’t want to talk about “Friends.” I have to move on, and I want to play other characters. And no, you have to know me from …’ No, no, that’s fine,” she said.
And why is that? “Because ‘Friends’ gave me everything. It just did. And I loved being Phoebe. I loved the whole experience. And it’s fine if all you know that I’ve ever done is ‘Friends.’ How could I not be okay with that?”
Of course, some of the memories are bittersweet. Castmate Matthew Perry died in 2023 from a drug overdose at age 54. During the 2021 “Friends” reunion special, Kudrow admitted she rarely watched the series. But after Perry’s death, she says she found solace in old episodes.
“I think I was self-conscious if anyone walked by and saw me watching my own show; it embarrassed me,” she said. “But then, when Matthew passed away, there were marathons, and I watched it. And it really, it did comfort me. So, I very recently just started watching ‘Friends’ before going to bed. ‘Cause I didn’t see all of ’em.”
She says she’s even surprised by some of what happens. “And it’s funny!”
Asked if she thinks there’ll be another reunion of the cast, Kudrow said, “I don’t know. I don’t think so. You never know, like, why or how. Maybe it would make sense. I don’t know. Right now, I don’t think it does.”
Right now, Kudrow is focused on “The Comeback,” and Valerie Cherish, yet another iconic character that audiences just can’t seem to let go.
Is it possible she would revisit Phoebe Buffay? “I don’t know; that’s a good question,” she said. “It’s not out of the realm. I’ll just do things I did before!”
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Watch an extended interview with Lisa Kudrow (Video)
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Story produced by John D’Amelio. Editor: Steven Tyler.
Meghan Markle’s recent moves have ignited new tension amid reports of Prince Harry’s bid to return to the UK.
The Duchess’ latest string of appearances left the observers in surprise as she’s trying to play the royal even afetr saying goodbye to the Firm in 2020 over her differences with the senior members and their alleged biased treatment of her.
On the other hand, Harry’s recent interviews and claims reveal as he’s very serious, even desperate, to return to the royal fold, leaving no stone unturned to take his kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the UK to experience royal luxuries and duties.
But some of Meghan’s actions are said to be causing pronblems in the process of reconciliation.
Accordiong to an insider, “The royals believe that Duchess is unwilling to let Prince Harry reconcile with his family, and her recent actions have forced them to turn against him.”
They went on to claim: “The Duchess’ moves seem to driving a wedge between Harry and his Family.”
According to royal expert Jennie Bond, “I’m sure questions are going to be asked about Meghan advertising herself as Duchess of Sussex. That is, of course, her title – but things become a little murky if she chooses to use it for commercial activities.”
The recent moveswill have undoubtedly raised eyebrows within the Firm, following the late Queen’s demand that the couple stopped using their HRH titles – a request they have cleverly maneuvered around by utilising Harry’s ‘Prince’ title, his given birthright, and their titles of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Jennie belives Meghan and Harry’s upcoming tour of Australia may have also sparked some confusion behind the Palace walls.
In reaction to the Montecito-based couple’s official announcment, the expert said: “I suppose the King and his family might wonder why Harry and Meghan have chosen to announce their visit to Australia with quite such a flourish.”
The Duchess has already confirmed to be holding a Q and A at a £1700 a ticket women’s retreat in Sydney, where she’ll also pose for photos with guests.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s alleged copycat moves are also apsking angers among the Waleses.
She is being accused of copying the royal playbook to tease or compete with Princess Kate, and allegedly forcing Harry to follow in her footsteps.
Queen Camilla paid no heed to shocking comments which left Prince Harry ‘riled up,’ following a major announcement from the Sussexes.
For the unversed, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson recently hit back at Tom Bower for writing “deranged conspiracy” in his bombshell book.
One of the remarks in the book was about Camilla’s ‘true feelings’ for Meghan. It has been said that King Charles’ wife said that the Duchess ‘brainwashed’ Harry.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward claimed that the comments from Camilla seem true, and she is not spending sleepless nights over Harry’s reaction.
As per the Mirror, she said, “My guess is it’s exactly the sort of thing Camilla would have said – you don’t have to be Einstein to realise that.”
“Brainwashing is an expression of someone of Camilla’s age, certainly, and I’m assuming she probably said it to one of her ladies-in-waiting,” Ingrid shared.
The royal expert believes that Queen Camilla is unbothered about the resurfaced remark, which left Prince Harry ‘shocked’ and forced him to defend his wife publicly.
Ingrid stated that Harry and the Queen do not have a close bond.
“I don’t think there is a relationship between Harry and Camilla at this point,” the commentator said.
These comments came after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s new scripted polo show with Netflix was announced.
King Charles has been urged to stand with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein by extending help to the UK police with a ‘Trump card.’
There are talks surrounding the monarch’s visit to the US, especially after Donald Trump told reporters earlier that the King is coming soon, despite political unrest.
Charles, whose diplomatic skills are not hidden from anyone, could play a crucial role in strengthening ties between the UK and the US after Trump’s remarks about Keith Starmer.
But, the monarch’s visit is not only important for the political alliance, but also he could play a key role in persuading Trump to release full and unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, helpful in the Andrew probe.
Royal expert Andrew Lownie said, “He (Mr Trump) can be rude to Keir Starmer, but I don’t think he’s going to be rude to the King.”
As per the Mirror, he added, “I think Trump is a bully, and I think you stand up to him. I think the King might well be able to persuade him to do things that might not be possible otherwise.”
Despite strong calls by UK politicians and the public to postpone the US trip, Mr Lownie believes that King Charles should continue with his plans for the sake of Epstein victims.
“This is the sort of soft power in which the monarchy can actually be very effective. They can shame Trump. It’s the old line, ‘When they go low, you go high,’ and I think he should go,” the royal commentator said.
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