Lisa Kudrow might be headed back to one of her most beloved roles. HBO Max posted a teaser on Instagram on Thursday with one caption: “Missed you, baby girl.” The hashtag #TheComeback followed. So did tags for Lisa Kudrow, Malin Åkerman, and Laura Silverman. Hard to misread that.
For anyone new to the series, “The Comeback” is a mockumentary comedy that first aired on HBO in 2005. Kudrow stars as Valerie Cherish, a once-famous sitcom actress trying to claw her way back into the Hollywood spotlight. She created the series alongside writer and producer Michael Patrick King. The show ran for one season and was then cancelled. It picked up a devoted fanbase over the years.
Now it looks like Valerie might be making another comeback.
HBO brought “The Comeback” back in 2014 for a second season, and the response was something else. Critics praised the revival. Kudrow earned an Emmy nomination for her performance. That second run proved the show had only grown stronger with time. More than a decade later, that appetite hasn’t faded.
Malin Åkerman and Laura Silverman are both tagged in Thursday’s teaser alongside Kudrow. That strongly suggests the original cast is returning. Åkerman played Juna Millson in the series, a young actress who shared the screen with Valerie on a fictional sitcom. Silverman appeared as a recurring character in both previous seasons. Their inclusion hints that this won’t be a solo venture for Kudrow.
HBO Max hasn’t shared a premiere date or episode count. No official press release has come out yet. But that caption reads like more than nostalgia. It reads like a promise.
The teaser pulled 24,248 likes on Instagram. For a show that last aired more than a decade ago, that’s a meaningful response. The audience clearly hasn’t let go.
Beyond “The Comeback,” Kudrow remains one of the most recognizable names in TV comedy. Her role as Phoebe Buffay on “Friends” ran for ten seasons and made her a household name. “The Comeback” showed a different side of her range. It was darker and more daring, and it earned her serious critical attention.
“The Comeback” was always ahead of its time. The mockumentary format was still finding its footing on American television in 2005. The show’s sharp, uncomfortable humor didn’t always land with mainstream audiences on first watch. Over time, streaming helped more people find it, and a loyal fanbase grew around it.
What makes Valerie Cherish such a compelling character is the mix of comedy and genuine heart. She’s relentless and a little oblivious. She also keeps trying, no matter what the industry throws at her. There’s something deeply relatable about that, even with the outrageous circumstances around her.
This teaser points to a third chapter of “The Comeback.” That would bring one of TV’s sharpest comedic voices back after a long absence. Kudrow has always been the heart of the show. Having Åkerman and Silverman back alongside her suggests the creative team isn’t taking shortcuts.
HBO Max hasn’t given a release window or confirmed episode details. But whoever posted that caption knows exactly what they’re doing. It has done its job.
Television has a way of bringing beloved characters back into our living rooms at just the right moment. This teaser suggests Valerie Cherish might be right on time.
