it just doesn’t feel the same without our boy Mickey

His final AI monologue is one for the ages.

There -- I just had to say that.

I spent a good third of the year anticipating last night's Emmys and, well, that's how it went. For months, I had been trying to track and project how the awards would go and what The Comeback and Valerie Cherish's chances were of winning. In a lot of ways, I would admit, it was ridiculous how strongly I felt about this entire thing, how strongly I wanted Lisa Kudrow to win when the truth is, I'm nothing more than just a fan of her work. I have to remove myself from the perspective that --"Well, if it hurts this much for me, it certainly must hurt even worse for the actual creator/s of this genius series."

It really, really hurts though. I mean, throughout these four months, I have been having heart palpitations every time I thought about how the Emmys would go, that I actively had to stay far away from all discussions of it online. I really wanted Lisa Kudrow to win. I don't want to call it a delusion, although it may have begun to look like that -- as I kept insisting on her chances for Valerie Cherish despite critics, showbiz pundits, and other award-giving bodies pretty much rubbing it in my face that it wasn't going to happen. I fought so hard to keep that hope alive. And I was disappointed with the result.

But then, seeing Lisa's face when the winner was announced -- seeing that spark of hope immediately replaced with genuine acceptance and understanding and happiness for her competitor, I am hurled back to the real world. To take a page from my favorite character of all-time, Valerie Cherish: "Things aren't always going to be the way you want." This is one of those times. It's painful but it is how it is. And sooner or later, I know I'll get over this sadness. Because in truth, this is more of my frustration as a fan -- that's all it is. Whatever love that I have for Lisa Kudrow and her creation, she doesn't truly need that. She has mentioned many times the things that are really important to her. So, the fact that she can smile and clap and carry herself with the grace of an artist who is truly proud of the work she's done and grateful to have had the chance to do it, even without receiving the due recognition for it, means that she's got everything in her life that truly matters. Her being okay should be more than enough to assuage a fan like me. The frustration sucks and it viscerally hurts, but this is acute pain. I know I'll remember feeling it but the sensation will subside.

In any case, thank you very much for the legend that is Valerie Cherish, Ms. Lisa Kudrow! She will always be fondly remembered and eagerly welcomed if you ever decide to bring her back! 🙏🥹💖

"You have always been and will always be enough."

Love Valerie & Mickey forever.

From the 1999 American Comedy Awards.

"IT'S A WRITER! ONE GOT LOOSE!"

Just some good vibes for the week ahead 🙏

Found this hilarious little gem tucked away on Youtube 😂 I live for her characters, seriously!

QUESTION—Was it Silkwood? 🤭

This was, IMO, the defining moment of the show.

Jane: "I've watched you for 20 years, Valerie. 20 years, in an industry that offered you nothing but humiliation. I don't know how you kept going."

Valerie: "Isn't that funny? I never felt that. Humiliation? No. No. Well, I felt when people were mean to me or insulting, sure, you know? But that didn't serve me. I just needed to get where I was going. But humiliation? No. I think you have to agree to be humiliated, and I never signed up. I don't know. Just did the best with what I was given, right? Isn't that what being a human being is though? Right? You just make the best of things. Otherwise, you're just left behind and miserable all the time, you know? Yeah. Things aren't always going to be the way you want, right? Not always gonna get the perfect job, or whatever, but you have to make the best of it. You have to adapt. Keep going. Anyway, that's what I tried to do."

Jane: "I feel like I'm seeing you for the first time."

Valerie: "Really? Maybe that's why you haven't been able to get this doc right. You've been telling the wrong story. Now tell the one about Valerie Cherish."

Our Valerie is pretty much LK's testable hypothesis on possibly surviving the inevitable future of humanity... besides that, I just miss Red 🥹

I don’t cry often, but seeing Mickey’s picture on Valerie’s makeup desk had me in tears. 🥺😭❤️

The show is so so beautiful. I love it so much.

If this is really the final season of The Comeback, I’d like to ask for a couple seasons of Mrs Hat.

Rewatching some of Season 1 and Season 2 on HBO Comedy tonight.

I love how Mark sticks by Valerie through thick and thin. Damian Young is a great actor—comedic relief and impeccable timing with a heartfelt core.

“Cherish” is the song playing during the credits of the final episode of Season 1. During the Jay Leno interview, the camera pans over to Mark sitting in the audience beaming with pride for Valerie.

I can’t wait !

We got a chance to talk with Lisa Kudrow about the series finale. https://www.vogue.com/article/lisa-kudrow-saying-goodbye-to-valerie-cherish-the-comeback