What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?
I finally got around to watching Season Three of The Comeback on HBO and it was wonderful. It’s topical (the writer’s strike and AI are big themes) but also I’ve never loved Valerie more. At 63 years old, Lisa Kudrow’s tragicomic Valerie Cherish somehow gives women of a certain age the dignity they deserve.
Here’s the defining scene (copied from Reddit):
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.”
Along with Hacks, The Comeback is one of the greatest TV shows ever about women in entertainment. And so so funny 😂
Also, cameos galore in Season 3. Actors I love just kept showing up in scenes.
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Oooh I might have to check this out once I’m through Hacks.
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Oh yeah, you should. It’s her most iconic role since Phoebe in Friends. (I loved Phoebe too.)
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Love this. I totally agree. The line that really made me pause and think:
I think you have to agree to be humiliated, and I never signed up.
It never occurred to me that I had a choice. This was eye opening. Thanks for this.
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You’re so welcome friend 🫶
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Lisa Kudrow is 63? Holey Moley – that in itself puts a whole new perspective to Life!
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I know. Can you believe it? Friends debuted 32 years ago!
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What a great scene, and your reflection, so true. Keep going is all we can do sometimes.
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Oh gosh…Kudrow made me tear up with that monologue.
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