Although the Hollywood strikes in the Season 3 premiere of The Comeback are fake, the support was absolutely real.
While visiting Deadline’s SXSW Studio last weekend, the cast and creators of the HBO show had a laugh about the mass confusion they incited while re-creating the 2023 Hollywood strikes for a scene in front of the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank.
“I drove to set that day. I brought my husband to visit for the first time, and he’s like, ‘Oh my god, there’s people picketing,'” recalled Laura Silverman, who reprises her role as documentarian Jane. “And I was like, ‘Oh wait! No, that’s us.'”
Picking up in 2023, The Comeback sees Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow) support the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, foreshadowing her internal conflict and the chaos that ensuse with starring in a new sitcom written by AI. The scene even features a cameo from former SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher.
Dan Bucatinsky, who is back as Valerie’s manager and co-producer Billy, noted, “Cars were honking the whole time.”
Kudrow’s co-creator Michael Patrick King added, “Every honk you hear is somebody going by, supporting whoever is striking in front of Warner Bros.” (Something to keep in mind, perhaps?)
In the third and final season of The Comeback, Valerie accepts the lead role on a new sitcom How’s That?, which is secretly being written by an AI program. As reality show cameras follow her around once again for this latest phase of her career, the actress and producer has to navigate the many cultural landmines of Hollywood in 2026.
After premiering in 2005, the mockumentary reality show returned for a long overdue second season in 2014. Season 3 premieres Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO, also available to stream on HBO Max.
Deadline Studio at SXSW presented by Redbreast Irish Whiskey.
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