The Comeback - The Complete Only Season
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Lisa KudrowBrand: HBO HOME VIDEO
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 390 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-08-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Movie Reviews of The Comeback - The Complete Only Season
Movie Review: Kudrow Triumphs With her Comeback!
Summary: 5 Stars
After hearing that Lisa Kudrow would star in a new show about a B-list actress whose trying to make a comeback by starring in her own reality show, I immediately find the series very appealing. And when I finally saw the pilot episode, I really saw a promising series. The series had a rocky start. It premiered to mixed reviews and the ratings were disappointing. Fast forward to the finale and the show, even though the ratings were still weak, is finally receiving wide critical support. And then HBO all of a sudden pulled the plug and abandoned the show. I was really mad when HBO announced that the show won't be renewed for a second season. I really think they've made the wrong decision. They didn't give the series the chance to build an audience especially since the critics are finally behind the show.
But at least HBO redeemed themselves (a little bit, I'll never forgive them for what they did to the show) when I learned that they'd be releasing the first and only season of the show on DVD on August 1 this year. And I'm glad that there's a great amount of special features included in the set most notably the commentaries on 6 episodes. Here are the special features:
Valerie's DVD Interview
Footage of Valerie backstage at Dancing with the Stars
Commentary on 6 Episodes (Pilot, Valerie Triumphs at the Upfronts, Valerie Bonds with the Cast, Valerie Hangs with the Cool Kids, Valerie Stands Out in the Red Carpet, and Valerie Does Another Classic Leno)
So here's a rundown of my personal top 5 episodes of the show:
(Brief background on the series: Valerie Cherish is a former sitcom star from the show called "I'm It" and she's planning to make a comeback by starring in her own reality show while also starring in a new sitcom called Room and Bored.)
1. Valerie Relaxes at Palm Springs- a major turning point for the series. A lot of people have been a little annoyed by Valerie being such a pushover and a doormat. When Valerie finally stood for herself, people started to root for the character. Lisa Kudrow gave an Emmy worthy performance in this episode. The drunk scene was priceless. And the ending was perfect.
2. Valerie Does Another Classic Leno- the series finale is a bittersweet episode. I'm sad that we would never see these characters develop but I'm glad that the series ended on a high note. This episode is a full circle moment for Valerie as she had her big Leno appearance again. The irony of the episode is that when she finally gave up the sleaziness of reality shows, it turned out that was exactly what she needed to regain her fame. The ending of Valerie being mobbed by fans is a classic moment and perfect way to end the episode and series.
3. Valerie Stands Up for Aunt Sassy- another stand out episode as Valerie defended Aunt Sassy (the character she played in the sitcom) from the writers when she found a punchline offensive that might turn off the viewers. This episode was funny and a great character episode for Valerie.
4. Valerie Saves the Show- Valerie was not happy with the premiere of her sitcom when her big scene was bombarded by invasive advertisements. A really funny episode.
5. (TIE) Valerie Stands Out in the Red Carpet and Valerie Hangs with the Cool Kids- the first was about the whole cast of Room and Bored attending an award show where Valerie had a major fashion faux pas with her dress. The second is about the whole cast planning a boycott of the show and backing out in the last minute without Valerie knowing.
There are other great episodes in the series, but those 6 episodes were my favorite. Lisa Kudrow really was award-worthy as Valerie Cherish. She was able to find the balance of comedy and drama in her consistent and well defined characterization. From the first episode to the last episode, the mannerisms she created for the character was intact. She really becomes the character. Kudrow is surrounded by a group of talented supporting actors, most notably Damian Young, as her supportive and protective husband, Lanca Barber as the infamous Paulie G., the pain in the butt whose mission in life is to keep Valerie's life miserable, and lastly Robert Michael Morris as Mickey, Valerie's cheerful makeup artist and her "favorite gay", I mean guy.
I think this is a welll made, engaging, and entertaining series with some wonderful performances from the cast headed by Lisa Kudrow. I highly recommend it.
Grade: A
Summary of The Comeback - The Complete Only Season
IN THE SPIRIT OF REALITY TELEVISION, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END TO THE HUMILIATING CIRCUMSTANCES VALERIE CHERISH WILL ENDURE, ALL IN THE NAME OF FAME.How wickedly ironic--and delicious--that Lisa Kudrow's single season of The Comeback provided the talented actress with enough meat for her to be nominated for an Emmy--after the show was canceled by HBO. Kudrow went for the Anti-Phoebe role after the demise of Friends, demonstrating her spectacular acting chops and range of comic abilities. The show centered on Kudrow's playing an actress, once the ingénue of the moment, trying ever more desperately to get back into the limelight. The vehicle of choice: a reality "series" that follows Kudrow's Valerie Cherish into scenarios with the deck more than stacked against her. Kudrow's acid delivery and willingness to show Valerie's raw pain, ambition, and obsequiousness make for engrossing and poignant, if squirm-inducing, viewing. Valerie's fond memory of being on Leno: when a fellow guest's monkey unexpectedly relieves himself on her head. "It was a real water-cooler moment," she says, desperately spinning. "And you know, this was Leno's first year. So it was a real important show for him too!" The boxed set includes all 13 episodes and some yummy extras, including a new "interview" with Valerie Cherish, an appearance by Valerie backstage at Dancing with the Stars, and backstage dish with series creators Kudrow and Michael Patrick King. The series, though short-lived demonstrates why Kudrow is one of our most talented actresses; here's hoping for a succession of more Comebacks. --A.T. Hurley
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