The Comeback Recap: Nothing New

by

Valerie dismisses praise for her acting in Seeing Red, the show that earned her an Emmy during the second season of The Comeback, by saying dramedies are easy. While I don’t completely agree with her, there’s a benefit to the genre: a dramedy doesn’t need to be hilarious. I kept thinking about this while watching “Valerie Has a Secret,” which focused more on plot than big laughs, unlike the season’s first episode. Calling The Comeback a full-blown dramedy might be a bit of a stretch, but the show has definitely moved beyond the simple humor of its first season, becoming more complex and emotionally engaging. It’s fine if the show prioritizes characters and story over jokes sometimes! However, this episode spends so much time setting up future events that it doesn’t quite stand on its own as a satisfying experience.

The episode picks up with Val attending a meeting with NuNet, a company she cautiously agreed to explore working with last week. She’s unsure about the idea of a sitcom written by AI, even questioning its legality, but Billy quickly shuts down that line of conversation. At the meeting, held via Zoom despite them being at NuNet’s offices, network head Brandon Wollack explains his plan: create free content funded by advertising. Val points out this just means commercials, highlighting how streaming is becoming similar to traditional TV but more expensive. NuNet’s head of research, Egypt O’Connor, claims viewers are tired of complex dramas and want something simpler, which is where Val’s new multi-camera sitcom fits in. The AI chose her because she appeals to a specific age demographic (which she initially dislikes until learning “TV 60” actually means 50). Brandon assures them two human writers are involved to avoid any issues with the writers’ guild. Valerie, though skeptical, agrees to the project. Billy’s only demand is that he and Val both be credited as executive producers, adding to his already inflated ego.

Brandon wants to keep the fact that they’re using AI a secret until after the first six episodes air, hoping to prove it works. Val had already told Mark, so keeping it from him wouldn’t make sense. They celebrated the new series with dinner at Soho House, where Mark’s new glasses earned a compliment. He jokingly took credit for being the trend, which was a bit embarrassing to watch. As we see more of Mark this season, I’m finding him less and less likable, even before hearing about the inappropriate comment that cost him his last job. (Apparently, he told a joke when jokes weren’t allowed – and he thinks people have forgotten about it.) When Val spots casting director Sharon dining with Jane Fonda, she can’t resist asking Sharon to help promote the show on social media. It was funny how Val thought Jane Fonda, wearing a political shirt, would be reassured to hear Val doesn’t engage in politics, and even funnier watching Val stumble trying to explain why. Val completely overlooked Sharon during the encounter, but Sharon, desperate for a job, seized the opportunity. In her eagerness, she tripped and got hurt, which unexpectedly shifted the power dynamic between them, reminding me of Val’s previous conflict with Gigi. This whole situation highlights how few people in the entertainment industry are truly doing well, and that seems to be getting worse.

We then see Valerie at Trader Joe’s pretending to film a sponsored video for Green Olive Flats crackers. She tells Patience it could be a partnership with both Trader Joe’s and the cracker company. While checking out, Valerie runs into Jane Benson, who is now working as a cashier at Trader Joe’s. They haven’t seen each other since Jane suddenly left the theater group in 2023. Since then, Jane has been focused on repaying debts by working a steady job. Seeing Jane looking genuinely happy – and perhaps benefiting from her Trader Joe’s training! – you hope she’s avoided getting pulled back into Valerie’s world, but it feels inevitable. When Valerie announces she’s starting a new multi-camera show, Jane can’t hide her disappointment, even though she predicts it will be successful. “People just want something easy and comforting, nothing challenging or new,” Jane says. Valerie, always sensitive to criticism, immediately defends her show, explaining it’s written by AI and likely the first of its kind. She then asks if it wouldn’t make a good documentary, always looking for the next opportunity.

When Val arrives on the set of the new series, she finds Jane there with her cameras. The show, called How’s That?, actually uses that phrase as the catchphrase for Val’s character, Beth, who runs a cozy bed and breakfast in New England with her attractive nephew, Beau. While it’s become common to dismiss things as sounding “AI-generated,” in this case, it’s a compliment – How’s That? feels genuinely well-written, a testament to the show’s human writers. Val meets Josh and Mary Abrams, the husband-and-wife writing team behind the show, played by John Early and Abbi Jacobson. It’s awkward when Val compliments them on a joke that was actually written by “Al Assist” (note the lowercase ‘L’ – the confusion is intentional and frustrating). Even though he has to correct Val’s praise, Josh is thrilled to be working on the show, excitedly saying he’s honored to give “another vibrant and vital woman of a certain age” a voice for fans online. Mary, however, hints that the writers aren’t as happy about sharing the spotlight with a robot as Brandon believes. When she discovers Josh has been adding his own jokes to Al’s script, she sarcastically tells him to “keep teaching it.” Aside from being repeatedly referred to as a “woman of a certain age,” Val’s biggest disappointment on her first day is learning that Jimmy Burroughs, the acclaimed director of I’m It! and Room and Bored, turned down the pilot for How’s That?

Val refuses to accept Jimmy’s rejection, especially since he’s been a source of comfort for her in the past. She unexpectedly shows up at his rented mansion, finding him with his grandchildren by the pool. Despite arriving uninvited, Jimmy seems genuinely pleased to see her. He even offers positive feedback on her new show, comparing it favorably to classic comedies like Newhart and Fawlty Towers. However, he explains he’s done many sitcoms and isn’t looking for new projects. We can see Val is determined to change his mind, and a quick cut reveals she succeeds – Jimmy will direct the pilot after all.

In the car afterward, Jane asks if Val told Jimmy the show was written by AI. Val admits she did, but insists it’s a secret. Now that cameras are rolling again, Val is back in performance mode, seemingly trying to convince herself, as much as anyone, that concerns about AI are just a matter of perception, echoing an explanation from Brandon. She claims everyone is worried about AI, but she’s excited to embrace it. In a clear, somewhat ironic moment, she then ignores the GPS directions in the car, believing her own instincts are better than the algorithm’s suggestions. With typical confidence, she declares, “I know better.”

Give Her Another Take

I know it seems a little ironic to point this out, especially considering the episode itself acknowledges the conventions of TV comedies. But as Egypt pointed out, when people are looking for a good laugh, a serious, single-camera comedy just isn’t always the most relaxing choice.

This episode of The Comeback wasn’t exactly depressing, but it definitely had a negative vibe. I think Billy and Mark are mostly responsible – they’ve both become much less likable since the last season. I really wished Mickey had been there, as Val desperately needs a reliable friend, and Jane just doesn’t fit that role.

Honestly, a few parts of the show really struck me. Like when Mark mentions Soho House having reservations at 7:00 and 9:30, and Val replies with disbelief, asking if they’re in Spain.

One of the highlights was definitely finding out Valerie was on The Traitors – she was chosen as a Traitor, but then eliminated really quickly in the second episode! It’s so frustrating that we only get a short clip of her trying (and failing) to convince Trixie Mattel she was one of the ‘Faithful’. I really wish we could have seen her react at the round table!

I’m also hoping to watch an episode of the Epix show Mrs. Hatt. It turns out the main character is a gardener who secretly solves mysteries.

While we’re at it, could we also watch Fetch, the final show Josh and Mary were involved with? Specifically, the episode where Judith Light’s character, Delia, deals with being alone after her dog passes away.

One part of the show I wasn’t crazy about was Valerie mentioning Jimmy’s past roles and almost saying he was on Friends before someone stopped her. While The Comeback is self-aware, that moment felt a bit forced. It did make me wonder, though, who would have been on Friends in this version of reality – like, what if Kathy Griffin had played Phoebe Buffay?

Read More

2026-03-30 06:56