Lisa Kudrow on emotional final scene of 'The Comeback': 'It was overwhelming'
Synopsis
Lisa Kudrow's final moments on set filming 'The Comeback' season 3 were far from routine. The actress struggled to separate her own overwhelming emotions from those of her character, Valerie Cherish, during the series' climactic scene — so much so that she had to step away and compose herself. It's a raw glimpse into the toll of saying goodbye to a character you've inhabited across nearly two decades.
Key Takeaways
Lisa Kudrow opened up about filming the final scene of 'The Comeback' season 3 at the premiere on 19 March .
The actress said she "couldn't get through" the last scene during rehearsal, describing the experience as "overwhelming." Kudrow struggled to separate her own emotions from those of her character Valerie Cherish .
She had to leave the stage temporarily and take time to compose herself before continuing. 'The Comeback' debuted in 2005 , was cancelled, revived in 2014 , and returned for its final season on 22 March .
Lisa Kudrow, the star of HBO's comedy series 'The Comeback', has opened up about the emotional toll of filming the show's final moments. At the season 3 premiere in Los Angeles on 19 March, the actress, who portrays Valerie Cherish, described the intensity of wrapping the beloved sitcom after nearly two decades.
"The last scene of the series was the last scene that we shot," Kudrow recalled. "We started with rehearsal and I couldn't get through it. And I thought, 'Oh, no. What's going to happen?' I had a very hard time sending myself away to not intrude on Valerie, who's not having the same experience that I am having. It was overwhelming."
The Challenge of Separation
The 'Friends' alum explained the difficulty of distinguishing her own emotions from those of her character during that pivotal moment. Kudrow noted that the timing of shooting the final scene created an unexpected layer of complexity. "I also felt like, 'Why did we shoot this last? We should have shot this last week,' and then I know there's more, and she tricked us. That was hard," she shared, hinting at a narrative twist that kept cast and crew off-balance.
Stepping Away to Regain Composure
The emotional weight became so intense that Kudrow had to pause production temporarily. "I needed to take a minute and just leave the stage and walk around outside and have a little talk with myself," she said. The moment underscored how deeply the actress had connected with her character over the years.
A Cult Classic Returns
'The Comeback' debuted in June 2005 but was cancelled after its first season. However, the series developed a devoted cult following and was revived in 2014 for a second season. The third and final season premiered on 22 March, marking the show's return nearly 12 years after the previous instalment. This latest chapter sees Valerie Cherish navigating the entertainment industry in a new era, grappling with contemporary challenges including artificial intelligence.
The Cast and Storyline
The original premise followed Valerie Cherish, a struggling "B-list actress" agreeing to participate in a reality show documenting her bid to land a role in a sitcom. The third season expands that narrative, exploring how Valerie has evolved within show business. Alongside Kudrow, the cast includes Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, and Damian Young. The series is available to stream on HBO.
Point of View
And how that boundary dissolves when the character's arc ends. For a performer who has inhabited Valerie Cherish across nearly two decades and multiple revival cycles, the farewell wasn't just a professional milestone — it was a genuine reckoning with loss. It's a reminder that the emotional labour of acting extends far beyond the scripted moment.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Lisa Kudrow say about filming the final scene of 'The Comeback'?
Kudrow described the experience as 'overwhelming' and said she 'couldn't get through' the last scene during rehearsal. She struggled to separate her own emotions from those of her character, Valerie Cherish, and had to step away from the set to compose herself.
When did 'The Comeback' season 3 premiere?
'The Comeback' season 3 premiered on 22 March. Kudrow spoke about her experience at the season 3 premiere event in Los Angeles on 19 March.
What is 'The Comeback' about?
'The Comeback' follows Valerie Cherish, a struggling B-list actress who agrees to participate in a reality show documenting her efforts to land a role in a sitcom. The third season explores how Valerie navigates show business in a contemporary setting, including challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
Why was 'The Comeback' revived after cancellation?
'The Comeback' debuted in June 2005 but was cancelled after its first season. However, it developed a devoted cult following, which led to its revival in 2014 for a second season and now a third and final season in 2025.
Who else stars in 'The Comeback'?
The cast includes Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, and Damian Young alongside Lisa Kudrow. The series is available to stream on HBO.
