HBO’s ‘Comeback’ Satirizes AI First with Valerie Cherish, Plans ‘Big Bang’ Spinoff & More!

HBO’s series The Comeback is pushing the envelope with its unusually long hiatuses, premiering its third season on Sunday, a whole 11 and a half years after its second season. This season follows a nine-year break after the series debut.

Exploring modern themes such as AI’s role in scriptwriting and the 2023 WGA strike, The Comeback, featuring Lisa Kudrow as the second-tier sitcom celebrity Valerie Cherish, offers more than typical industry humor. HBO and HBO Max Content’s chairman and CEO, Casey Bloys, highlighted at the season’s opening event that the show profoundly reflects the current media landscape and broader cultural dynamics.

“This series deeply encapsulates the media industry, celebrity culture, and broader societal trends. I believe when future historians reflect on the 21st century, this show will stand out for its insights into our cultural and entertainment dynamics,” Bloys stated, his comment drawing laughter with its intentional grandiosity.

At the premiere, Deadline caught up with Amy Gravitt, EVP of HBO Programming and head of HBO & Max Comedy Series, who discussed the decision to reintroduce The Comeback with an AI-driven plot. She also delved into the strong debut and potential renewal of Rooster, a new series from Bill Lawrence featuring Steve Carell, thanks to robust premiere ratings and a tax incentive for a second season.

Gravitt also touched on the renewal prospects for the recent writer-led shows The Chair Company by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, and Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA, as well as the third season outlook for Nathan Fielder’s docu-comedy The Rehearsal.

Updates on upcoming projects were also shared, including Sharon Horgan’s new series featuring her as a 50-year-old divorcee exploring romance, and Kansas City Star, starring Kaley Cuoco and created by the Hacks trio Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky.

Gravitt discussed the distinctive “episodic and evergreen” nature of HBO Max comedies, highlighting upcoming projects like Chuck Lorre’s Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and a sketch comedy series by Larry David and President Barack Obama titled Life, Larry & The Pursuit of Unhappiness, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary.

DEADLINE: Why revive The Comeback now, particularly with an AI theme?

GRAVITT: It was the creators’ proposal, and the concept arrived at a time that just felt right. There’s a certain symmetry in returning after a decade. Valerie Cherish is a character robust enough to re-emerge after such a long interval. More so, it’s about having a resonant narrative ready at a time when AI themes are gaining momentum.

So being the first to satirize AI with a character like Valerie was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.

DEADLINE: This season is billed as the final one. Did you intentionally close the door on future seasons?

GRAVITT: Yes, we envisioned this as a trilogy, which by its nature implies completion. Considering our timeline, any further continuation would be too far out. It seemed like the right moment to conclude the characters’ journeys, providing them with a fitting sendoff after more than two decades.

DEADLINE: Despite the long gaps, you chose to keep The Comeback on HBO rather than transitioning it to HBO Max. Can you elaborate on that decision?

GRAVITT: It’s not a revival but a continuation of the same series, just spaced out over years.

DEADLINE: The Comeback is paired with Rooster, both being broader comedies featuring renowned TV stars like Kudrow and Carell. Is this a shift in HBO’s recent direction?

GRAVITT: We strive to maintain a diverse portfolio. This includes varying tones and perspectives. The pairing of Steve Carell and Bill Lawrence in Rooster, set in a campus yet broad enough to appeal as a family show, fits well within our array. It meets the current demand for comforting, familiar TV formats.

DEADLINE: Given the strong reception and financial incentives, can we expect a renewal for Rooster?

GRAVITT: Keep an eye out.

DEADLINE: With both The Chair Company and I Love LA renewed, how do you feel about their initial seasons and the progress on their upcoming ones?

GRAVITT: I’m thrilled with the reception. Both series were clear choices for renewal, allowing their creators to fully realize their visions. We’re already receiving outlines for their next seasons, and the enthusiasm remains high.

DEADLINE: How is the development of Sharon Horgan’s new series progressing?

GRAVITT: Production is in full swing. I’m heading to London for the upcoming table reads. It’s exciting to finally collaborate with Sharon after years of development discussions. Her brilliance shines as we explore this new chapter of her life.

DEADLINE: Is Kansas City Star from the Hacks creators still on track?

GRAVITT: Absolutely, as soon as we have them focus on the script, we’ll move forward.

DEADLINE: Can Kaley Cuoco manage both this and the HBO Max drama How To Live Without Me if it goes to series?

GRAVITT: Certainly. It’s quite common now for talent to juggle multiple projects. We’re in a new era of television where this is feasible.

DEADLINE: The only current HBO Max comedy, Hacks, is concluding. What’s the update on the Big Bang Theory spinoff, Stuart Fails To Save the Universe?

GRAVITT: We’ve started reviewing the edits, and it’s slated for release later this year. It’s a delightful series that lets Chuck Lorre explore these characters in a fun, cinematic way. We’re really excited about its debut.

DEADLINE: Last year, you mentioned that this spinoff is a prime example of what a Max comedy should be. Does that mean leaning towards IP-based shows or potentially multi-camera sitcoms?

GRAVITT: It could be a mix of both. While the spinoff fits perfectly within that IP-based framework, we’re also open to exploring multi-cams if the right concept comes along. It’s all about finding shows that offer timeless, episodic appeal.

DEADLINE: What’s the latest on Nathan Fielder and The Rehearsal Season 3?

GRAVITT: Nathan is currently refining his ideas for the next season.

DEADLINE: It’s been some time since the end of The Righteous Gemstones. Is there anything new in the works with creator Danny McBride?

GRAVITT: Danny is developing a new project for us, which we’re in the early stages of discussing. It’s an exciting prospect to continue our collaboration.

DEADLINE: Larry David is launching a sketch show…

GRAVITT: We just promoted it at South By, alongside panels for Rooster and The Comeback. Larry shared a sketch and is more enthusiastic than ever about working. It’s incredibly funny and a perfect fit for the upcoming holiday season.

DEADLINE: Could this show evolve into an anthology with varying themes?

GRAVITT: It’s specifically tied to the semiquincentennial celebrations.

DEADLINE: Any chance for more Curb Your Enthusiasm?

GRAVITT: Unfortunately, there are no plans for more Curb.

DEADLINE: What about your late-night lineup under EVP Nina Rosenstein, with shows like It’s Florida Man and Neighbors?

GRAVITT: We aim for a seamless transition between our late-night and scripted series, often sharing talent across both. It’s all part of maintaining a cohesive HBO comedy brand.