TCA 2014: ‘The Comeback’ comes back to HBO -- Cue the humiliation

Valerie Cherish has good and bad news. The good news: “The Comeback,” centering around has-been “It Girl” actress Cherish staging a Hollywood comeback, is coming back. The bad news: “The Comeback” is coming back. Which means Cherish will likely be humiliated in new ways.

Of course, the good and bad news are great news for fans of “The Comeback,” which starred “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow as the indefatigable former sitcom star who allows herself to be trailed by a reality show crew as she tries to return to the spotlight. The revival of the series is returning to HBO nine years after it last aired for a limited six-episode run.

The comedy, which was created by Kudrow and “Sex and the City” show runner Michael Patrick King, was not a hit when it first aired in 2005, and was canceled. But the series has since reached cult status, and requests for a revival by fans have been continual.

The new season will involve Valerie being cast in a new show on HBO. Kudrow and King said the basic thesis of the show will be as the first season: “The DNA is the same,” said King.

King added that fans can expect to see some changes. “Valerie thinks she’s spiritually evolved, and she’s figured out what’s happened to her.”

The two creators said they were excited to be able to revisit what is clearly a passion project for them. “I feel really grateful that we get to pick this up again,” she said. “We loved doing it. That was the bad part [being canceled]”.

The series will also deal with the evolution of reality TV, which has grown more outrageous since “The Comeback” was first on the air. “What we did was so tame compared to what’s going on now,” she said.

Most of the characters from the previous series will return, including Paulie G. (Lance Barber), the producer who loathed Valerie and did his best to belittle her.

“He’s a big part of it,” said King. “We are going to find out why he hates her so much.”

Added Kudrow with a smile, “They’ve got unfinished business.”