Kudrow's "Comeback"

Lisa Kudrow

Valerie Cherish was once TV's "It Girl." Now it's different story - and she'll do anything to get back in the spotlight. Desperate for a comeback, she agrees to star in a new reality TV series, allowing cameras to follow her every move as she lands a part on a new network sitcom.

Lisa Kudrow ("Friends") stars as the embattled Valerie Cherish when the new comedy series The Comeback kicks off its 13-episode first season Sunday, June 5, 2005 (9:30-10 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, followed by other editions on subsequent Sundays at the same time. The show is created and executive produced by Michael Patrick King (HBO's "Sex and the City") and Kudrow, and executive produced by John Melfi ("Sex and the City") and Dan Bucatinsky ("All Over the Guy"), with episodes debuting immediately following new episodes of the hit comedy series "Entourage," returning for its second season.

Totally scripted, The Comeback explores the madness of television, a Beverly Hills lifestyle, the dual roles of wife and stepmom, the trouble with growing older in Hollywood, and the bravery of a comic-tragic 40-year-old woman who is slowly sinking under the pressure of it all.

June's shows include:
Episode #1: "The Comeback (Pilot)"
Debut date: Sunday, June 5, 2005 (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: June 6 (10:00 p.m.), 8 (10:30 p.m.), 9 (11:30 p.m.), 17 (8:00 p.m.) and 29 (8:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: June 5 (1:30 a.m.) and 11 (11:00 p.m.)
Valerie Cherish starts a new chapter in her TV career as she agrees to allow cameras to trail her around the clock for a reality show called "The Comeback," a prerequisite for being cast in the pilot of the new series "Room and Bored." She wins the part, but soon learns her co-stars are much younger and her role is much smaller than anticipated. Now she is forced to play the part of the matronly Aunt Sassy. Clinging to the remnants of her dignity, Valerie also endures crises closer to home as she and her husband Mark adjust to her new work schedule and a pesky water leak. But Valerie is a survivor, and victory arrives as "Room and Bored" is picked up for the fall season.

Written by Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow; directed by Michael Patrick King.

Episode #2: "Valerie Triumphs at the Upfronts"
Debut date: Sunday, June 12, 2005 (9:30-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: June 13 (10:00 p.m.), 15 (10:30 p.m.), 16 (11:30 p.m.), 17 (8:30 p.m.) and 29 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: June 12 (1:30 a.m.) and 18 (11:00 p.m.)
Valerie, Mickey and the rest of the cast of "Room and Bored" fly to New York for the "Upfronts," the annual network event where new shows are unveiled to the media. In the Big Apple, Valerie gets stiffed on a perk, misses out on a meal, frets about her stepdaughter Franchesca's dinner guests back in LA, and fears the worst as the network president introduces the cast. Written by Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow; directed by Michael Patrick King.

Other cast regulars on The Comeback include: Malin Akerman (Juna), Robert Bagnell (Tom), Lance Barber (Paulie G), Robert Michael Morris (Mickey), Laura Silverman (Jane) and Damian Young (Mark).

Along with the hit comedy series "Friends," for which she won an Emmy(r), as well as receiving five other nominations, Lisa Kudrow's credits include the feature films "Analyze This," "Clockwatchers," "The Opposite of Sex," "Wonderland" and "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion." Her new film, "Happy Endings," opened the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.

Michael Patrick King has received two Emmys(r) and three Golden Globes for his work on "Sex and the City."

The Comeback is created by Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow; executive produced by Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow, John Melfi and Dan Bucatinsky; co-executive producers (beginning with episode #2), Linda Wallem and John Riggi; producer, Denis Biggs; producer (beginning with episode #2), Amy Harris; producer (episode #1 only), Tim Gibbons; co-producer (beginning with episode #2), Mike Schur; casting, Liberman/Patton Casting. The Comeback is an HBO Entertainment Production in association with Working Class, Is Or Isn't Entertainment and Warner Bros. Television.