As a seasoned gamer and die-hard Friends fan who grew up with the show, I can confidently say that Lisa Kudrow’s performance in The Comeback has left me utterly speechless. Having watched the series years after its initial release, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about Valerie Cherish, a character seemingly miles away from Phoebe Buffay. However, as I delved deeper into the awkward yet brilliant world of reality TV, I found myself falling in love with Valerie’s complexity and Kudrow’s masterful portrayal of her.
I’d say: I’m quite possibly one of the most dedicated Friends fans out there. I followed the series as it aired, collected all the DVDs, and even listened to the commentaries extensively; thanks to my Max subscription, I often find myself drifting off to sleep with the familiar laugh track and lines that I can recite by heart. However, I must admit that I’ve lagged behind in keeping up with the Friends cast’s other projects. Only recently did I catch Lisa Kudrow in The Comeback, and it has completely changed my perspective on her as an actress.
The Comeback was taken off air after just one season on HBO in 2005, but it was brought back to life by the network nine years later for Season 2. Lisa Kudrow serves as executive producer and stars in this satirical series that offers a humorous take on the television industry. This brilliant, self-referential, and uncomfortable mockumentary has significantly altered my view of her acting abilities. Here’s why:
Portraying A Has-Been Sitcom Star So Soon After Friends Was A Gutsy Move
Despite the fact that “Friends” ended twenty years ago, Lisa Kudrow continues to be strongly associated with her character Phoebe Buffay. However, when “The Comeback” debuted on HBO on June 4, 2005 – only thirteen months after “The Last One” aired on NBC – the role of Valerie Cherish, a former sitcom star struggling to make a comeback while being documented for a TV show, seemed like a bold choice given how fresh Phoebe was in people’s minds.
Actors who aim to avoid being stereotyped after a major role might choose projects that are dramatically different from their previous work, like Jennifer Aniston in “The Good Girl” and “Friends with Money”. On the flip side, Lisa Kudrow chose to play a sitcom actress, not just once, but multiple times, essentially portraying an actor struggling to regain fame, which is quite self-referential.
In 2005, Lisa Kudrow didn’t need to regain lost ground; it’s crucial to recall that she was 41 following “Friends,” an age that probably meant she wasn’t offered the same roles as before. Enter Valerie Cherish, a character who encounters the very predicament on “Room and Bored,” a fictional show kick-starting her career comeback. After starring in “I’m It,” Valerie’s new series might have seemed less prestigious, with it featuring young singles (portrayed by Malin Akerman and Kellan Lutz), and casting her as the tracksuit-wearing Aunt Sassy.
In viewing Valerie Cherish, it wasn’t possible for me not to draw parallels between her circumstances and those of Lisa Kudrow’s real life. Did the cast of Friends – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer – feel liberated after the end of Friends, with the ability to pursue anything they desired next? Or was Kudrow expressing in The Comeback her concerns that her best work might have already been achieved?
The Comeback Proves That Friends Just Scratched The Surface Of Lisa Kudrow’s Talents
After enjoying one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, Friends, I must admit that Lisa Kudrow only hinted at her true acting prowess as Phoebe Buffay. Although Ursula from Friends provided a different character for her to explore, it was in HBO’s comedy, The Comeback, where Kudrow truly showcased the depth of her talent by playing at least four distinct characters: the bubbly Valerie she feigned for reality cameras, the brash Aunt Sassy from Room and Bored, the fictionalized version of Valerie in Seeing Red, and the real Valerie Cherish when she let her guard down and stopped performing for the cameras.
Among all these instances, the final one was the most delightful, perhaps due to the scarcity of moments when Valerie allowed her vulnerabilities to surface – be it with her husband Mark (Damian Young) or director Paulie G. (Lance Barber) – or revealing her true feelings. It struck me that, just as Valerie Cherish was often underestimated in her acting skills, Lisa Kudrow showcases a depth beyond Phoebe Buffay in “The Comeback.”
Valerie’s Struggle To Be Real On Her Reality Show Is Equal Parts Grating And Brilliant
Valerie Cherish significantly contributed to Lisa Kudrow’s career by creating a richly complex character. However, it doesn’t mean that “The Comeback” was always an easy or pleasant show to watch. If you found Phoebe’s quirkiness on “Friends” tiresome at times, you might find Valerie’s repeated greeting of “Hello hello hello!”, her affectionate nickname for Malin Akerman’s character as “Baby Girl,” or her frequent use of the phrase, “I don’t need to see that!” in unexpected situations, to be repetitive and grating. Similar to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” this series excels at making its viewers feel uncomfortable.
The main focus is on Valerie’s persistent reluctance to show vulnerability around the documentary crew, often signaling to her producer Jane (Laura Silverman) not to use certain footage when she or “Marky Mark” say anything that could be perceived as negative or genuine. She seems to chuckle at her own jokes and appears to expect us to join in the laughter from home. Valerie also tends to justify and excessively explain any points she fears might be misunderstood, potentially portraying her in a negative light. The situation is both amusing and poignant.
I’m amazed that I waited so long to watch “The Comeback,” and it’s clear why it’s regarded as a cult favorite. Being a fan of “Friends,” I wholeheartedly suggest this comedy to those who haven’t seen it yet. Despite its awkward moments, the series showcases Lisa Kudrow’s talent in a unique manner compared to her portrayal on “Friends.”
She’s surrounded by a fantastic ensemble (a special mention for the late Robert Michael Morris who played her hairdresser Mickey), and it’s truly captivating to witness how her character evolves and transforms from the start of Season 1 to the end of Season 2. To be honest, the finale genuinely sent shivers down my spine and has significantly altered my perception of Kudrow as an actress.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found that HBO Max is a top-notch streaming service where you can catch both seasons of “The Comeback”. It’s definitely worth subscribing!
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2024-08-30 17:07