Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago

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Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King join IndieWire’s Filmmaker Toolkit podcast to discuss how artificial intelligence unexpectedly became the creative spark behind Valerie Cherish’s return in “The Comeback.”

The creators explain how discussions surrounding the SAG strike, AI-generated entertainment, and Hollywood’s rapidly changing landscape inspired a new storyline centered around Valerie navigating an AI-written multicam sitcom. What started as a casual conversation quickly evolved into a concept that felt timely, unsettling, and perfectly suited for the series’ signature satire of the entertainment industry.

“The Comeback” has always reflected the anxieties of Hollywood culture, and according to Kudrow and King, AI suddenly made Valerie Cherish feel essential again. Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast | Presented by @HBO