The Comeback
Ten years ago she was TV's "It" girl. Now desperate to revive her career, actress Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow) agrees to star in a reality show that follows her efforts to land a part in a new sitcom.
- Metascore68
- 2005-2026
- 3 seasons
- HBO
- Comedy
- TV-MA
Ten years ago she was TV's "It" girl. Now desperate to revive her career, actress Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow) agrees to star in a reality show that follows her efforts to land a part in a new sitcom.
Season 1 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 2005
Episode 1
Pilot
Sun, Jun 5, 2005 30 mins
Faded television starlet Valerie Cherish attempts to land a role in a new sitcom, Room and Bored, by taking part in a reality show chronicling her somewhat mortifying "comeback".
Episode 2
Valerie Triumphs at the Upfronts
Sun, Jun 12, 2005 28 mins
The cast of Room and Bored is flown to New York City to introduce the media to Aunt Sassy and her attractive young charges. As that happens, the ever bubbly Valerie gets a reality check on just how far her star has fallen.
Episode 3
Valerie Bonds with the Cast
Sun, Jun 19, 2005 27 mins
After a table read for the first official episode, Valerie invites her young costars to a "bonding lunch", but Juna doesn't show up. The two make up later with a one-on-one lunch, where Valerie learns why Juna is such a paparazzi favorite.
Episode 4
Valerie Stands up for Aunt Sassy
Sun, Jun 26, 2005 28 mins
Valerie, continuing to be tormented by writer Paulie G., is shocked when Aunt Sassy is given a racially offensive line to deliver. She tries to enlist the help of new writer Gina in changing it, which only makes Paulie angrier. Even the director knows the line isn't funny, but encourages her to allow the audience to decide whether it needs a change.
Episode 5
Valerie Demands Dignity
Sun, Jul 10, 2005 27 mins
Charla, a little person from "The Amazing Race," has been given her own reality show called "The Littlest Assistant." In order to cross promote shows she is made Valerie's assistant on "The Comeback". But Charla starts pulling dirty stunts to try and make the show more exciting, something Valerie wants to avoid, so she fires her.
Episode 6
Valerie Saves the Show
Sun, Jul 17, 2005 28 mins
With the cast in a funk following Room and Bored's lackluster premiere, Valerie tries to boost morale with a late-night cookie delivery that gives new meaning to her trademark line, "I don't wanna see that!"
Episode 7
Valerie Gets a Very Special Episode
Sun, Jul 24, 2005 28 mins
Still desperate to get on the good side of the writers, Valerie stops by the writing room at 1AM to deliver cookies. She stumbles on the writers mocking her in a sexually offensive way. When they confront her about it, she says she doesn't care what they do as long as the writing is good, which they mistake as a blackmail threat. They write a full episode that revolves around Aunt Sassy getting a date; the studio hates it and the show is put on hiatus.
Episode 8
Valerie Relaxes in Palm Springs
Sun, Jul 31, 2005 29 mins
Valerie and Mark head to the desert for a long weekend in Palm Springs... with strings attached. While Mark draws the line with Jane's crew on the golf course, Valerie finds a new mentor in an old acquaintance.
Episode 9
Valerie Hangs with the Cool Kids
Sun, Aug 7, 2005 29 mins
At the insistence of the network, Room and Bored gets a makeover and two new cast members, spurring talk of a coup by the "original five". Meanwhile, Valerie spends some quality time with Franchesca and her rotten little friends.
Episode 10
Valerie Gets a Magazine Cover
Sun, Aug 14, 2005 29 mins
With Juna getting all the hype and magazine covers, Valerie enlists a new publicist, Billy Stanton, to land her a cover. Billy scores a shoot for "Be Yoga", forcing Valerie to remodel her fitness room and take a yoga crash course.
Episode 11
Valerie Stands Out on the Red Carpet
Sun, Aug 21, 2005 29 mins
"Room & Bored" is nominated for a People's Choice Award, and Juna is nominated as best actress. Juna and Valerie attend the ceremony (even though they already know that R&B didn't win,) an Valerine spends the entire evening desperately trying to get the press to photograph her standing next to Juna.
Episode 12
Valerie Shines Under Stress
Sun, Aug 28, 2005 29 mins
Jane pulls rank on Tom and Paulie G. to get Valerie more lines on Room and Bored. Meanwhile, a stalker threat forces extra security on set, exposing old back problems as she's prepping for a big pratfall scene.
Episode 13
Valerie Does Another Classic Leno
Sun, Sep 4, 2005 30 mins
Valerie throws a giant party to celebrate the premiere of "The Comeback," and is horrified to discover they have taken nearly ALL of the footage and assembled it out of context, notably footage of her punching Paulie G and the two of them vomiting simultaneously. She vows to quit the show live on air at The Tonight Show , but ends up relishing the spotlight because it is such a huge hit.
