Nearly 20 years after its debut, The Comeback is officially returning to HBO Max for its third and final season. The critically acclaimed satirical sitcom, starring Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, will get a chance to close its story with a definitive ending. This comes after years of speculation about whether the cult favorite would ever return.
A Surprise Revival Two Decades Later
According to Deadline, HBO Max announced in June 2025 that the show would return with a new season that also serves as its last. The revival comes exactly two decades after the series first premiered in 2005. As Lisa Kudrow told Deadline, “It’s thrilling that Valerie will get the send-off she deserves.”
The third season is being positioned as both a continuation and a farewell. It offers longtime fans a final chance to see Valerie navigate Hollywood in her trademark awkward and satirical fashion. The season is confirmed to stream on HBO Max, though an exact premiere date has not been finalized as of late September 2025.
Cast and Creative Team
The revival will once again center on Kudrow, who co-created the series with Michael Patrick King. As People highlighted, Kudrow expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return: “I never thought Valerie would come back again, but here we are. I couldn’t be more thankful.” While HBO Max has not released a complete cast list yet, the expectation is that familiar faces will return alongside Kudrow.
In addition, Sortir à Paris reminded readers of the show’s legacy. First airing in 2005, The Comeback was praised for its meta take on reality television and Hollywood culture, with Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish standing as one of the most memorable satirical characters of the era.
Why Now?
The decision to revive the series seems to reflect a broader trend of canceled shows being given a final chapter. The show’s return was announced just as it reached its 20-year anniversary. HBO Max emphasized the importance of closure for both the story and the fanbase. They described this as a way to “celebrate Valerie and the groundbreaking legacy of the series.”
The revival fits into a recent pattern of HBO Max giving once-canceled series a final act. They cited renewed fan interest and streaming demand as factors. This move gives The Comeback a rare chance to finish its satirical arc on its own terms.
What Fans Can Expect
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the upcoming season is expected to lean into the themes that made the show a cult hit. These include the absurdities of fame and the desperation of reinvention. Also, the often cringeworthy but endearing determination of Valerie Cherish will be highlighted. The Comeback Season 3 will reportedly serve as the final season. It will wrap up Valerie’s Hollywood journey with what HBO Max is calling a “bittersweet, yet satisfying conclusion.”
The original run in 2005 and the second season revival in 2014 both earned critical acclaim for Kudrow’s fearless performance. Now, fans can look forward to one last chapter that promises both laughs and closure.
Conclusion
The Comeback HBO Max revival is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated returns in television this year. With Kudrow back in the role that critics have called “career-defining,” and with HBO Max framing this as a final act, the third season offers both nostalgia and a long-awaited farewell. As Valerie Cherish herself might say: “I don’t want to see that!”—but fans will definitely be tuning in to watch it all unfold.
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