Amy Gravitt Talks About HBO’s Comedy Comeback, Satirizing AI, and What’s Next for Valerie Cherish and Larry David
HBO’s acclaimed series The Comeback is set to return for a third season, marking a significant 11.5-year hiatus since its last installment. Season 2 premiered over nine years after the show’s inaugural season, underscoring an extraordinary gap in its production timeline.
At the Season 3 premiere event on Thursday night, Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, emphasized the show’s depth, highlighting its exploration of contemporary issues including AI’s impact on television writing and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. The series stars Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, a once-popular sitcom actress navigating the complexities of show business.
“The show reflects a great deal about the entertainment industry, celebrity culture, and societal trends,” Bloys remarked. “When historians look back at the 21st century, I believe this series will offer more insight into our cultural milieu than many dramas or films." His comments elicited laughter from the audience, with Bloys acknowledging the grandiosity of his statement.
Furthermore, Bloys shared updates on additional projects, including the renewals of The Chair Company and I Love LA, both of which feature writer-performer collaborations. He also mentioned the ongoing status of Nathan Fielder’s docu-comedy The Rehearsal.
Amy Gravitt, an HBO executive, provided further insights about the network’s lineup, including Sharon Horgan’s anticipated series featuring a 50-year-old divorcee on the hunt for love, as well as Kansas City Star, which stars Kaley Cuoco and is produced by the creators of Hacks. She expressed enthusiasm for HBO Max’s approach to creating more “episodic and evergreen” content, referencing Chuck Lorre’s upcoming Big Bang Theory spinoff, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.
When questioned about the rationale for reviving The Comeback now, Gravitt explained, “The timing felt right, especially given the symmetry of having 10 years between seasons. Valerie Cherish is a character strong enough to return after so long.” She noted the show’s timely commentary on AI, stating that it presents a unique opportunity for satire.
Despite the buzz surrounding the revival, Gravitt confirmed that this season is designed to provide closure for the characters and does not leave room for future seasons. She expressed satisfaction with the narrative content, emphasizing that “they had a real reason to revisit Valerie and her story after 20 years.”
In response to questions about the decision to air The Comeback on HBO rather than HBO Max, Gravitt clarified, “This isn’t a revival; it remains the same show despite the long gap.”
The pairing of The Comeback with Rooster, another comedy featuring high-profile stars, indicates a strategic shift for HBO. Gravitt remarked on the need for varied programming, suggesting that the comfort of both shows fulfills a demand for consistent television formats that audiences are seeking.
Looking ahead, gravitt confirmed ongoing preparations for additional series, including Horgan’s project and the Kansas City Star from the Hacks creators. She acknowledged the capability of Cuoco to manage multiple roles, emphasizing the flexibility of actors in the current television landscape.
As HBO navigates its comedy lineup, the anticipated spinoff of The Big Bang Theory, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, is also progressing, with Gravitt sharing that cuts are in process, and the show is expected to emerge later this year.
With a strategic focus on comedy, Gravitt expressed optimism about the team’s slate of projects, which she believed resonated well with audiences and adhered to HBO’s commitment to quality programming.
