THE STORY – An ex-A-list celebrity attempts to rekindle the flame of her once-prominent acting career with nothing but a camera crew and some determination.
THE CAST – Lisa Kudrow, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Dan Bucatinsky, Tim Bagley, Ella Stiller, Brittany O’Grady, Matt Cook, Jack O’Brien, Barry Shabaka Henley & Andrew Scott
THE TEAM – Michael Patrick King & Lisa Kudrow (Co-creators)
It is impossible to talk about the future in any industry these days without bringing up artificial intelligence. Though it is terrifying to admit, as much as people would like to consider themselves essential, there is no telling what AI will do to livelihoods in the hands of executives looking for ways to cut costs. This fear is especially prevalent in the entertainment industry, as there have already been strikes about the usage of AI to replace screenwriters and actors. It is easy to say that the human touch is essential to making original, meaningful art, and that an algorithm could never replicate it. It is far more effective to prove it by crafting a hilarious yet poignant exploration of the role human creativity plays in an industry that churns out as much content as possible, as cheaply as possible.
When the world needed everyone’s favorite out-of-touch yet accidentally perceptive actress, Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow), she returned. Eleven years after the last season of “The Comeback,” much has changed for the Emmy winner on paper. She is almost a household name, even if only for an embarrassingly short stint on “The Traitors.” She lives in a gorgeous apartment with a view many would kill for. Her husband, Mark (Damian Young), is no longer the family’s breadwinner. And yet, when she is reintroduced, it is as if nothing has changed at all. Valerie is still desperate for validation, recognition, and, most tragically of all, work. One might assume that after winning an Emmy, a plethora of opportunities would be available to her. But “The Comeback” has always insisted on portraying reality, albeit a much funnier version of it, and the reality remains that finding work in the entertainment industry in this day and age is an arduous task. As much as she might want to cling to her morals, as any self-respecting actor would, it is hardly surprising that the prospect of finally being the lead of a new sitcom again far outweighs her concerns about starring in the first AI-written television series. Season 3 of “The Comeback” expertly tackles the rise of AI, poking fun at its mishaps, raising legitimate concerns about what its development means for the rest of society, and, most of all, calling attention to the importance of human connection in such a cynical industry.
The main reason many audiences were drawn to this show in the first place was Lisa Kudrow. She is a generational comedic talent, and she harnesses that to full effect here. As expected, there are some of the most unhinged line readings and pronunciations imaginable. But the vulnerability of once again being on the cusp of a life-changing role, the internal conflict between Valerie’s desire to be seen doing the right thing and her need to be seen at all, and the unresolved grief from the loss of her best friend are all illustrated exceptionally on Kudrow’s face when allowed to seep through. As iconic as she now is, Valerie is such a difficult character to portray because of what she plays up for the camera and what she cannot hide from it. Yet that balance is effortless thanks to Kudrow’s complete grasp of this lovable but sorely misguided woman. It is a powerhouse of a performance, and, in a just world, one that would be walking away with an Emmy come September.
While it is tempting to say Kudrow carries “The Comeback” through the sheer heft of her tightrope act, that would be doing a disservice to the rest of the cast and crew. This is one of the best television seasons of the year, and that would not be the case without every aspect of this series firing on all cylinders. For instance, the way documentary-style footage, phone recordings, and security camera footage are seamlessly edited alongside “traditional” footage, where cameras are not meant to be present, is nothing short of miraculous. Beyond being a remarkable technical feat, it also further characterizes Valerie and her relationship with the camera.
And speaking of characterization, the writers for this season of “The Comeback” have done a brilliant job in concluding Valerie’s arc. It is fascinating that, despite giving her the least defensible position yet, starring in and executive producing a show written by AI, Valerie has never been more likable. By forcing the audience to empathize with a character who enables something many fear will lead to the downfall of Hollywood, the gravity of this issue and its inherent appeal become that much clearer.
Further credit is due to the writers, who have proudly stated that no AI was used in the making of this season, for not taking the easy way out when it comes to the AI-generated scripts. The simple punchline would be to punch down, making these generated dialogues laughably terrible. Instead, every joke is, notably, serviceable. There are no laugh-out-loud one-liners or inspired witticisms, but for the most part, each joke is good enough. This approach is remarkably more authentic to AI’s current “creative” capabilities, as it is difficult to produce truly terrible writing when it is essentially derived from synthesizing the most iconic shows and films. That distinction remains a human signature, and “The Comeback” amusingly makes the case that even the weakest writers are essential.
The only notable shortcoming of the season is that its ending does not feel as definitive as it could. Of course, the end of “The Comeback” should not mean the end of Valerie Cherish, and the finale remains satisfying overall. However, it does not quite pack the emotional punch of its season 2 conclusion. It is a testament to how strong this show is that the primary criticism is that this season’s ending does not quite live up to its very high standard.
If the past few years have demonstrated anything, it is that artificial intelligence is not going anywhere. But if thousands of years of human existence, and “The Comeback” season 3, have shown anything, it is that humans will always be essential to creating greatness. For as ruthless a reflection as the show is of the current state of Hollywood, there remains a fundamental sweetness to it, a deep love for art, artists, and the absolute cacophony that defines the creative process. Perhaps the series offers a more optimistic view of the future than reality suggests. Regardless, it proves that this comeback was needed now more than ever.
THE GOOD – Lisa Kudrow is completely enthralling as Valerie Cherish in a career-best performance. The commentary on AI is sharp and necessary, but the show still has an abundance of heart.
THE BAD – The ending, while sweet, is not quite as satisfying as the previous season finale.
THE EMMY PROSPECTS – Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series & Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
THE FINAL SCORE – 9/10
