Michael Patrick King Unveils The Comeback's AI-Driven Return and Reflects on TV Evolution
In a candid interview, acclaimed writer and producer Michael Patrick King delves into the highly anticipated third season of The Comeback, a comedy drama co-created with Lisa Kudrow. The new season, premiering this month, tackles a provocative premise: an AI-written sitcom, a concept King describes as "very possible" based on extensive research into artificial intelligence's encroachment on Hollywood.
The Comeback's Triumphant and Final Season
First airing in 2005, The Comeback starred Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish, a sitcom star navigating reality TV's rise. Despite critical acclaim and Emmy recognition, the show struggled to find a broad audience. A masterful second season followed in 2014, but fans have clamored for more ever since. King reveals that while he and Kudrow never expected a return, industry turmoil—including streaming shifts, social media growth, and recent strikes—created a "perfect Valerie storm" for a comeback.
The new season begins during the 2023 strikes, with Valerie hilariously harassing negotiator Fran Drescher. It then jumps to 2026, where Valerie lands a lead role in a sitcom called How's That?, secretly written by AI. As an executive producer, she must keep this secret from the cast and crew, all while being documented by a film crew and a social media assistant played by Ella Stiller.
AI Research and Hollywood's Reality
King and Kudrow conducted thorough research into AI, consulting experts who warned that public pushback against AI is strongest in artistic fields. This informed the season's plot, with King noting that AI technology is "much further along than ChatGPT," comparing GPT to a toddler. He recalls a chilling meeting where an AI model predicted the season's themes, sounding eerily like Jodie Foster, prompting him to shut it off.
The season's finale includes a tag reading "No AI was used in the making of this show," underscoring the show's critique of AI's potential dominance. King emphasizes that everything depicted is grounded in reality, not fantasy, highlighting how The Comeback has evolved from its initial portrayal of desperate fame-seeking to reflecting today's commonplace brand-building tactics.
Reflections on Sitcom Formats and Fan Expectations
Despite AI's futuristic edge, King places Valerie back in a multi-camera sitcom, a format he calls "Valerie's holy grail" and one he loves from his early career. He defends his past work, such as 2 Broke Girls, which faced criticism for retrograde humor, by quoting Valerie: "You told a joke at a time when jokes were illegal." King describes the show as "situation comedy meets burlesque," a high-low blend he doubts AI could replicate due to its sharp, risky nature.
Turning to And Just Like That, the controversial Sex and the City revival, King believes it will age well, drawing parallels to The Comeback's own journey from perceived failure to relevance. He argues that both shows explore "the individual v society," with the original series challenging expectations for 35-year-old women and the revival doing the same for 55-year-old women. King acknowledges fan resistance to character change, stating that while viewers often want characters frozen in time, evolution is essential for compelling television.
Legacy and Future Prospects
As for whether The Comeback will finally achieve Sex and the City-level viewership, King remains optimistic, channeling Valerie's spirit: "It'll come around!" He reflects on the show's resilience, noting, "We got cancelled and we're here 21 years later," a testament to its enduring appeal and timely themes.
With its blend of black comedy, AI intrigue, and sharp social commentary, The Comeback's new season promises to captivate audiences while sparking conversations about technology, creativity, and the ever-changing landscape of television.
