HBO’s popular comedy series, “The Comeback,” has returned for its third and final season, a momentous occasion marked on Sunday, March 22. This season arrives nearly a decade after the passing of Robert Michael Morris, the actor who portrayed the beloved character Mickey Deane. Morris passed away in May 2017, at the age of 77, leaving a significant void for fans of the show and its creators.
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Lisa Kudrow resumes her role as Valerie Cherish, the show’s central character, alongside a collection of familiar faces from previous seasons that aired in 2005 and again in 2014. However, Morris’s absence is keenly felt this season, prompting the show to address his character’s fate directly in the premiere episode. The producers ensured that Morris’s legacy would be recognised, using a poignant nod to his character through a photograph displayed in Valerie’s dressing room.
In a heartfelt moment during the premiere, Valerie reveals the loss of her dear friend Mickey to the character Tommy Tomlin, played by Jack O’Brien. In the fictional narrative, she explains that Mickey died due to complications arising from COVID-19, referring to it as “Covid OG.” While the precise official cause of Morris’s death was not publicly confirmed, it is known that he had been diagnosed with stage IV melanoma and was undergoing treatment while filming the show’s second season.
Reflecting on the show’s return, Kudrow and executive producer Michael Patrick King highlighted that they had no intentions of continuing without Morris. King stated, “Lisa didn’t even consider doing The Comeback once Michael died. We were done, because he couldn’t be replaced.” The idea behind the new season acknowledges the profound absence of Morris while maintaining the integrity of the storyline.
Kudrow added that the decision to continue the series in the absence of Morris felt fitting for Valerie’s character. “This approach felt very Valerie, too, because it’s something that’s difficult, so it’s not happening,” she explained. The new character, Tommy, does not seek to fill Mickey’s shoes but rather represents a fresh chapter for Valerie. O’Brien clarified that his portrayal doesn’t aim to mimic Morris’s character.
In an interview, Kudrow expressed thoughtful reflections on the series and why this season is labelled as its final chapter. “I don’t know if I’ll want to do it again in ten years, so let’s be done, that way no one is asking what’s next,” she explained. This strategic closure aims to provide audiences with a complete narrative arc, underscoring the importance of treating the series as a trilogy.
“The Comeback” originally endeavours to portray Kudrow as a struggling “B-list actress” who agrees to participate in a reality show documenting her attempts to secure a role in a sitcom. The latest season sees Valerie grappling with the new challenges of show business, including the impact of artificial intelligence in entertainment.
Kudrow also shared insights into the comedic appeal of her character. “It’s fun to be Valerie,” she remarked, noting that while viewers may wonder whether the experiences are taxing for her, she never felt burdened by the character’s trials. “Valerie creates her own reality. Yeah, she’s a little delusional, but that’s one of the sources of comedy,” she commented, highlighting the character’s unwavering belief in her place in the industry.
The next episode of “The Comeback” is scheduled to air on Sunday, March 29, at 10:30 PM ET, with new episodes released weekly until May 10. Fans of the show can anticipate an emotional yet humorous continuation of Valerie Cherish’s journey, while also paying tribute to the cherished memory of Robert Michael Morris.