In "The Comeback" Lisa Kudrow plays Valerie Cherish, a Z-List ex-Sitcom star who is desperate to resuscitate her flagging career. She lands a role on a tacky new sitcom (although her 'lead' role quickly descends into a recurring cameo), but only under the proviso she also star in a low-rent Reality series documenting her return to the spotlight. "The Comeback" is comprised of scenes presented as 'raw' footage from the fictional reality show that the programme is based around. Much of the show's humour comes from the idea that we are watching un-edited, raw footage of an over-the-hill actress and her constant attempts to regain dignity, which always fail.
First to be applauded for this marvellous series is Kudrow who puts in the flawless performance only ever hinted at on the sterile apartment sets of "Friends". The comparisons between Kudrow and the character she plays in this series are obvious, and add greatly to the overall appeal of the programme. Kudrow's decision to knowingly mock herself is both self-assured and inspired. In "The Comeback", Kudrow is at her best; subtle, with impeccable timing and always completely hilarious. The way in which she constructs her characters gradual unravelling as she's faced with a variety of embarrassing situations is fascinating and presents a masterclass in how comedy acting should be done. Valerie Cherish will make you cringe, laugh and, here's what makes Kudrow's performance really superb, you'll also feel desperately sorry for her.
Along with Kudrow, the camera style of "The Comeback" is what makes it so funny and entertaining. There's something continually funny about seeing the reality show's Producer dip in and out of frame and ask Valerie pressing questions off camera; as she's stitching poor Valerie up like a kipper whilst making her a laughing stock. The constant parodies of current American Reality shows are great, especially because they expose the entire premise of Reality TV to be complete garbage. The world of network sitcom is also taunted throughout the series. Even the fake sitcom's name - 'Room and Bored' - is so awful that you can imagine seeing it pop up in next week's TV Guide.
If you're a Film or Television producer, you'll find endless humour at the sight of camera crew's bashing through doors and falling down stairs to keep up with the 'star'. There is definitely a perverse pleasure to be had, for those in the business, to see a crew struggle with those irritating logistical problems that you've faced before and will no doubt face again on the next shoot. Laura Silverman, by the way, is excellent as the mild-mannered, but totally ruthless, Reality Show Producer who you'll want to work on your next production! She's completely believable.
"The Comeback" is an outstanding comedy series that ended well before it's time. For those in Film and Television, especially, it offers an entire new level of humour that has rarely been shown before. The writing is great, the performances stellar, and the idea actually very novel; although it might not seem so at first glance. Without a doubt, this is a must-see series that I can't recommend highly enough.
First to be applauded for this marvellous series is Kudrow who puts in the flawless performance only ever hinted at on the sterile apartment sets of "Friends". The comparisons between Kudrow and the character she plays in this series are obvious, and add greatly to the overall appeal of the programme. Kudrow's decision to knowingly mock herself is both self-assured and inspired. In "The Comeback", Kudrow is at her best; subtle, with impeccable timing and always completely hilarious. The way in which she constructs her characters gradual unravelling as she's faced with a variety of embarrassing situations is fascinating and presents a masterclass in how comedy acting should be done. Valerie Cherish will make you cringe, laugh and, here's what makes Kudrow's performance really superb, you'll also feel desperately sorry for her.
Along with Kudrow, the camera style of "The Comeback" is what makes it so funny and entertaining. There's something continually funny about seeing the reality show's Producer dip in and out of frame and ask Valerie pressing questions off camera; as she's stitching poor Valerie up like a kipper whilst making her a laughing stock. The constant parodies of current American Reality shows are great, especially because they expose the entire premise of Reality TV to be complete garbage. The world of network sitcom is also taunted throughout the series. Even the fake sitcom's name - 'Room and Bored' - is so awful that you can imagine seeing it pop up in next week's TV Guide.
If you're a Film or Television producer, you'll find endless humour at the sight of camera crew's bashing through doors and falling down stairs to keep up with the 'star'. There is definitely a perverse pleasure to be had, for those in the business, to see a crew struggle with those irritating logistical problems that you've faced before and will no doubt face again on the next shoot. Laura Silverman, by the way, is excellent as the mild-mannered, but totally ruthless, Reality Show Producer who you'll want to work on your next production! She's completely believable.
"The Comeback" is an outstanding comedy series that ended well before it's time. For those in Film and Television, especially, it offers an entire new level of humour that has rarely been shown before. The writing is great, the performances stellar, and the idea actually very novel; although it might not seem so at first glance. Without a doubt, this is a must-see series that I can't recommend highly enough.