Dan Bucatinsky Talks About Season 3’s AI Story, 25 Years of Teaming Up with Lisa Kudrow, and His Hopes for a ‘Hacks’ Crossover
Valerie Cherish makes a triumphant return for one last close-up in HBO’s The Comeback, joined once again by her somewhat loyal friend and manager, Billy Stanton.
Dan Bucatinsky, who portrays Billy, expressed appreciation for his long-time collaboration with Lisa Kudrow, saying, “To have her in my life as like a sister to me, in my personal life… but professionally, to watch her navigate character, emotion, and comedy—she’s brilliant. I feel incredibly lucky to act alongside her.”
The partnership between Bucatinsky and Kudrow began on the set of his husband Don Roos’ 1998 indie comedy The Opposite of Sex. Since then, they have collaborated under their production company, Is or Isn’t Entertainment, established in 2003. Following their initial success, Kudrow partnered with Michael Patrick King to develop a project centered on Cherish, a character she created while at LA’s The Groundlings.
Bucatinsky reminisced, “We were a year in, having made a TV movie and developing pilots. We’ve proven over 25 years that you can work with a close friend; we complement each other well. Lisa is one of the smartest and most talented people I know. It’s a privilege to work with her as producers and on screen.”
Dan Bucatinsky as Billy Stanton in ‘The Comeback’
As the final season of The Comeback unfolds, Bucatinsky’s character finds his own spotlight with several fashion moments, suggesting a grand exit. “I can’t give too much away, but I’ll be doing things this season that I’ve never done in my life,” he teased.
Bucatinsky’s return as Billy follows his recent role as late-night executive producer Rob in Season 4 of Hacks, a series that shares a similar biting satire of Hollywood pioneered by The Comeback.
He added with a smile, “I had this fantasy that Rob’s twin brother was Billy, arriving to introduce Valerie Cherish as a late-night guest for Deborah Vance.”
In discussing his long-standing partnership with Kudrow, Bucatinsky reflected on their first meeting nearly 30 years ago on The Opposite of Sex. “We’ve shared a deep friendship and successful professional relationship, producing various projects together, including 25 Words or Less and Who Do You Think You Are?,” he noted.
Bucatinsky expressed gratitude for the opportunity to watch Kudrow’s comedic talents unfold: “She has a razor-sharp instinct about character and emotion; working with her is one of my life’s greatest gifts.”
Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky and Andrew Scott in ‘The Comeback’
Bucatinsky discussed the evolving dynamic of Billy and Valerie in the new season. He noted that as Billy aims to elevate his own profile, there are moments when he may let Valerie down. He described the experience as both challenging and enjoyable, highlighting the relatable ambition driving his character: “Billy has been thinking, ‘What about me?’ for 25 years.”
He explained that this season, Billy takes advantage of the opportunity to step into the spotlight, but his ambition leads to conflicts with Valerie, providing both comedic and dramatic tension. “I think audiences will enjoy watching that struggle unfold,” Bucatinsky added.
Addressing the fashion choices in this season, Bucatinsky humorously remarked on his wardrobe, “No, I wear pants too. But it’s fair to say that this season, Billy’s fashion choices are a significant part of the character’s identity.”
The actor emphasized, “It really builds to the end of this season. I can’t give it away, but there are elements I had to do that I’ve never undertaken before.”
John Melfi, Michael Patrick King, Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky attend ‘The Comeback’ premiere in Los Angeles on June 1, 2005. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Reflecting on the emotional weight of the upcoming season, Bucatinsky acknowledged the absence of Robert Michael Morris, whose character Mickey will be remembered in a heartfelt tribute during the third episode. “It was really hard to return without him; we loved Robert dearly. His illness during Season 2 was a difficult time, but we honored him in a meaningful way.”
Bucatinsky shared that losing Morris left a notable void among the cast, but they strive to honor his memory through their work. “I love that episode; Robert would be proud of how we’ve honored him.”
As this season unfolds, Bucatinsky is excited about the opportunity to explore the changing landscape of Hollywood. “The narrative reflects real contemporary issues, from the impact of social media to the evolving nature of our industry, aligning with Valerie’s own journey.”
He concluded by expressing enthusiasm about the collaborative storytelling that remains at the heart of The Comeback, alongside its comedic edge and poignant reflection on the challenges of today’s entertainment landscape.
