The Emmy-winning creator opens up about bringing Lisa Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish back to screens after more than a decade — and why the cult comedy remains timeless.
Michael Patrick King Confirms ‘The Comeback’ Is Officially Coming Back
After more than ten years off the air, Michael Patrick King has officially confirmed that The Comeback will make its long-awaited return for Season 3 — and fans of Lisa Kudrow’s iconic Valerie Cherish have plenty to look forward to.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at GLAAD’s 40th Anniversary Gala in New York City on Oct. 10, 2025, the writer-director teased what’s next for the Emmy-nominated HBO comedy, which has aired just one season each decade since its debut in 2005.
“You’re looking forward to seeing Valerie Cherish again,” King said. “Wherever Valerie is, whatever world she’s in, it’s always going to be funny and hopefully surprising. But she’s still Valerie — so you’ll get what you want, I think.”
King, 71, added that he’s thrilled to reunite with Lisa Kudrow, who co-created the show and stars as the delusional yet lovable former sitcom actress desperate for relevance.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Lisa, and thrilled to be on this show that we creatively love,” King said with a smile.
A Show That Returns Once Every Decade
The Comeback first premiered on HBO in 2005, marking Kudrow’s first major television role since Friends. The show followed Valerie Cherish — a fading TV star filming a reality show about her attempted Hollywood comeback — in a brilliant meta-commentary on fame, reality TV, and the entertainment industry.
Though initially canceled after one season, the series gained a cult following that led to a surprise revival in 2014, nearly a decade later. Now, with another ten years gone by, The Comeback will once again live up to its name — returning to HBO in 2026 for its long-anticipated third season.
King joked about the show’s unique timeline, telling PEOPLE,
“Quality ages well. If you make something good, there’s always time for it to come back. Vintage, classic vintage, is always fashionable.”
What to Expect in Season 3
According to King, the new season will continue to follow Valerie as she navigates the ever-evolving television landscape — now defined by streaming, influencers, and social media fame. While exact plot details remain under wraps, King promises the same mix of humor, awkwardness, and emotional depth that made The Comeback a fan favorite.
Returning cast members include Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, and Damian Young — all reprising their beloved roles alongside King’s sharp writing and direction.
Kudrow and King previously said in a joint statement that Valerie has “found her way back to the current television landscape,” adding that “neither of us are surprised she did.”
The Legacy of ‘The Comeback’
When The Comeback premiered in 2005, it was ahead of its time — a satire that perfectly captured the discomfort of reality television and Hollywood’s obsession with image. While it initially polarized audiences, critics later hailed it as one of HBO’s most underrated comedies, praising Kudrow’s fearless, Emmy-nominated performance.
Over the summer, HBO celebrated the show’s 20th anniversary, with King recalling how network executives later admitted that canceling the series had been a mistake.
“They said, ‘We made a mistake. Would you do another season?’ Ten years later,” King told Variety.
Among its most notable fans? David Bowie. King revealed that the music icon once requested advance copies of unaired episodes while on tour.
“We went around saying, ‘Well, David Bowie likes it,’ ” King recalled with pride.
A Timeless Comedy for a New Era
With its biting humor and emotional truth, The Comeback continues to resonate with audiences who see Valerie Cherish not just as a parody, but as a symbol of resilience. For King and Kudrow, the upcoming season is more than a revival — it’s a reaffirmation of a cult classic’s enduring brilliance.
Fans can expect The Comeback Season 3 to premiere on HBO and Max in 2026, once again proving that, as King says, quality truly does age well.
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