Lisa Kudrow Casts Son as AI Troubleshooter in Final Season of ‘The Comeback’
The fourth episode of the final season of The Comeback aired on Sunday night, featuring Lisa Kudrow’s character, Valerie Cherish, navigating the challenges of an AI-written sitcom titled How’s That?!. As the production faces initial hurdles, Cherish seeks to maintain harmony on set.
Valerie Cherish’s New Challenges
During a table read for the second episode, Cherish expresses confusion over a jail scene and frustration that some of her co-stars have limited dialogue. As an executive producer, she investigates the situation and consults the AI assistant, Marco. He introduces her to a new character, Evan, a “troubleshoot tech guy.” Marco reveals that the bizarre scene is a “hallucination” generated by the AI, which became stuck between the prompt and its knowledge base.
Cherish reassures Evan, who appears anxious as crew members pass by. He recounts a previous experience where he was body-checked while working on another AI project. Cherish comforts him, stating, “This is a safe set now; we practice safe set.”
A Family Affair
In a notable twist, Evan is portrayed by Julian Stern, Kudrow’s son with husband Michele Stern. The filming took place on Warner Bros.’ Stage 24, the same location where Friends was shot, and where Kudrow worked while raising Stern. He visited her on set as a child, creating a nostalgic connection for the family.
Kudrow remarked on the decision to cast her son, stating that when the role of an AI character emerged, she immediately thought of him. Michael Patrick King, her co-creator, echoed her sentiment, affirming that Stern was the perfect fit for the role.
Unique Casting Choices
King described The Comeback as “couture,” tailored for specific individuals. He noted that they sought a character who embodied a tech-savvy persona. In their search for casting, they found that Stern, being relatively unexposed to the industry, fit the bill perfectly.
Kudrow’s Observations on Stern’s Performance
Kudrow expressed her admiration for her son’s performance, stating, “He was great. He was Evan. I was Valerie.” She acknowledged the unpredictability of acting, especially for someone new to the field, but noted that he handled the experience well.
Despite his upbringing around the entertainment industry, Stern did not grow up on set. Kudrow explained that while he visited during her time on Friends, he was not particularly engaged. However, he did show interest in her later projects, such as Web Therapy.
Developing Talents
While Stern may not have spent extensive time on set, he demonstrated creative skills from a young age. Kudrow highlighted his talents, recalling how he produced stop-motion projects and wrote impressive short stories. She and her husband were moved by his performance in a high school production of The Laramie Project, where he delivered a powerful monologue.
Educational Pursuits
Stern pursued a college education at USC, focusing on filmmaking. During his studies, he performed a monologue from The Normal Heart, which impressed both his parents. Kudrow encouraged him to explore all avenues in the arts, recognizing his abilities as an animator and creator of micro-animated shorts.
A New Generation of Talent
Viewers can expect to see more of Stern as the season progresses. He is not the only child of a famous actor featured this season; Ella Stiller, daughter of Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor, plays Cherish’s social media assistant, Patience. King brought her on board after collaborating with her on his previous series.
King remarked on the unique opportunity presented by both Stern and Stiller, noting that their relative anonymity allows audiences to appreciate their performances without preconceived notions. He emphasized their exceptional talent and potential.
The Comeback airs every Sunday on HBO Max.
As reported by www.hollywoodreporter.com.
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Published on 2026-04-13 08:00:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk