SPOILER ALERT: This story includes details about Episode 4 of “The Comeback” Season 3, now available on HBO Max.
Billy Stanton, who has transitioned from being Valerie Cherish’s publicist to her manager and now producing partner on “The Comeback,” is finally stepping into the spotlight.
In Episode 4, Billy, portrayed by Dan Bucatinsky, is being photographed for a fictional Variety 50 Over 50 issue. When Valerie, played by Lisa Kudrow, interrupts the shoot, Billy pleads with her to step aside. “I am suicidal for some solo press,” Billy remarks.
“That line was so iconic that I had it engraved on glasses given as wrap gifts, signed ‘Billy Stanton,’” says Bucatinsky, who is also a co-creator and executive producer of the HBO series, which spans three seasons. “It’s remarkable how that line encapsulates everything you need to understand about Hollywood. It truly says it all.”
When “The Comeback” debuted in 2005, Billy was a publicist at the renowned PR firm PMK. Fast forward 21 years to Season 3, and he’s been invited to be a producer on Valerie’s new sitcom “How’s That?!,” which is secretly authored by AI.
“I’m an executive producer. I can get a parking spot and wear really cool clothes,” Bucatinsky comments about Billy, who spends much of Season 3 in Thom Browne skirts. “I’m finally reaping the rewards and perks that come with being an EP. We encounter Billy at a point where he’s ready to seize every opportunity, whether it’s a gift bag or being featured in Variety’s 50 Over 50.”
But is Billy truly content? “I would have to say no,” Bucatinsky admits. “Love is absent in his life. Billy’s fixation on gaining attention over the past two decades is a misguided journey toward what he mistakenly believes will bring happiness, akin to an addict seeking a quick fix of publicity. But what happens when he wakes up alone? I don’t think Billy is happy—at least not yet. I believe by the season’s end, Billy will discover a sense of purpose.”
Though “The Comeback” is fundamentally a comedy, its emotional and dramatic arcs provide a genuine look into Hollywood’s current struggles. With studio budgets being slashed and the looming threat of AI displacing jobs, it sometimes feels as though the industry is on the verge of collapse.
In a scene from Episode 4, Valerie requests that “How’s That?!” writer Mary Abrams, played by Abbi Jacobson, refine a script because she’s dissatisfied with the AI-generated version. Mary lashes out, expressing her disinterest in the show and her sole aim to earn enough to relocate her family far from Los Angeles.
“I don’t care that Rome is burning,” Mary retorts.
Nevertheless, Bucatinsky asserts that “The Comeback” does not take a definitive stance in the AI discussions.
“We are presenting Valerie’s perspective, which is, ‘I just want to work no matter what it takes,’ alongside the writer’s viewpoint, who is saying, ‘I’m not going to play this game this way,’” Bucatinsky clarifies. “We’re showcasing human experiences without taking a stand on the issues. In essence, there’s no preaching.”
“The Comeback” has undeniably felt the pinch of real-world studio budget constraints. While Season 1 had roughly ten writers, Season 3, consisting of eight episodes, only has three. “It was a matter of necessity and budget,” Bucatinsky explains. “For 10, 12, or 13 episodes, more writers would have been needed, but the budget for our eight episodes wasn’t substantial. We’re no ‘Euphoria.’ We don’t command that audience size. So everything, including the writing, had to be done within budget, with Lisa and Michael [Michael Patrick King] drafting every single script. It was an economic decision.”
With this understanding, “The Comeback” becomes even more meta as viewers watch Valerie’s unwavering dedication to making “How’s That?!” succeed.
“I’ve always viewed Valerie as a heroic figure,” Bucatinsky states. “She can turn things around, positively altering the narrative regardless of the challenges she faces. Yes, there’s less work now, and yes, scripts are written by AI, but look at the 200 or 300 people we get to employ. She finds ways to adapt, pivot, and maintain happiness despite what comes her way.”
