The Comeback's Final Season: Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King Reflect on Valerie Cherish's Journey

The final season of HBO's The Comeback sees Lisa Kudrow's character, Valerie Cherish, navigating the challenges of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. Co-creator Michael Patrick King discusses the bold stylistic choices made for the series finale, including a shift from black and white to color. As Valerie faces backlash from her peers and the industry, Kudrow reflects on her own experiences with criticism during her time on Friends. This article delves into the creative decisions that shaped Valerie's journey and her hopeful conclusion.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 11, 2026, 16:23 IST

The End of an Era for Valerie Cherish

Despite airing for just three seasons, The Comeback managed to outlast the iconic series Friends. This HBO comedy, co-created by Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King, debuted at significant moments in Hollywood history. In its second season, Kudrow's character, Valerie Cherish, delved into the world of reality TV. The third and final season, however, tackled the rise of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. Kudrow and King shared insights on the creative decisions that shaped Valerie's farewell, ultimately leaving her in a positive light. Warning: Spoilers Ahead!

Michael Patrick King Discusses the Shift to Color in the Finale

Michael Patrick King on shifting from black and white to colour in series finale

During a recent press event, Kudrow revealed that the transition to color was entirely King's idea. In the finale, Valerie loses her show How's That?! when an AI version takes her place. However, this marks not the end for her. The series concludes on a hopeful note, with Valerie addressing Jane (Laura Silverman) about life following her setback.

King noted that the stylistic choice to end the show in color was a bold move. He explained, "This was a risk; suddenly, we shift to black and white. What I love is that color emerges precisely when Valerie's humanity begins to shine through. She essentially asks, 'Isn't that what a person does?' So she transitions from a faded, monochrome image to vibrant color. People often viewed Valerie in black and white—either as a victim or a loser. By the end, we aimed to present her in a more nuanced light, allowing viewers to see how Valerie perceives herself." The finale, titled Valerie Cherish, was filmed on the Warner Brothers lot, evoking a sense of nostalgia for classic Hollywood. The conclusion reveals that Valerie thrives, landing a new show called Judge's Table and earning three Emmy nominations in 2027.

Lisa Kudrow Reflects on Valerie's Backlash Over AI

Lisa Kudrow on Valerie Cherish facing backlash on AI series

In the series finale, Valerie not only faces criticism from her How's That?! cast and crew but also from the broader industry. When asked how she would handle such backlash, Kudrow responded, "What can you do but take a deep breath and try to regroup?"

She recounted a similar experience during her time on Friends, stating, "At one point, we faced significant backlash, with everyone feeling overwhelmed by our presence. We decided to hunker down, stop the press engagements, and focus on our work. We needed to concentrate on our actual job, which was to deliver the lines and perform the show. I think it’s a similar situation here."