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QUESTION #7
Why did you choose to make Valerie's husband, Mark, a non-show businessperson?
Michael Patrick King
We needed someone who would look at all this television madness with the eyes that people who are not in show business have. We needed a grounding element to Valerie's hysteria. We needed a non-performer husband for Valerie's sanity as well as for the audiences. We wanted the viewers to at least understand she has a shot of leaving all the TV industry drama at work and come home to a safe haven with a man who's opinion of her is not affected by whatever Entertainment Weekly thinks of her.
QUESTION #8
Do you think the humiliation that Valerie is subjected to is common more for all people trying to make it in Hollywood or for women in Hollywood? Or does the personality invite it?
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Hollywood supplies overt moments of humiliation for everyone involved... from an extra to the star. It's an "equal opportunity humiliator." |
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Michael Patrick King
Hollywood supplies overt moments of humiliation for everyone involved... from an extra to the star. It's an "equal opportunity humiliator." The really dangerous minefield for a woman of a certain age is the sitcom/reality TV world. It seemed particularly humiliating, which would create more stories - which is exactly why we picked it.
QUESTION #9
After watching additional episodes, particularly episode 6, is Valerie self-aware of her limitations as an aging, "has-been" actress, and is she not at all "clueless" as to what she needs to do to accomplish her goal of a comeback? She illustrates a "whatever it takes, I'm willing to do" attitude. Is she aware that her comeback can come in the form of either the sitcom or the reality show? It seems to me that she's hedging her bets as to where her reestablished celebrity status will be found and that she's purposefully playing a role in both the sitcom and reality TV shows.
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You feel that she knows the humiliation moment and then you watch her "spin" things to try and fool the cameras. |
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Michael Patrick King
Valerie jumped at an amazing opportunity. She is the only actress on two different types of TV shows at the same time. I've always thought Valerie was aware of everything on some level. Which is what makes the show so painful/thrilling to watch. You feel that she knows the humiliation moment and then you watch her "spin" things to try and fool the cameras. Honestly, I'm not sure how much she is fooling herself. I do know that both Lisa and I have talked about the fact that she can't possibly comprehend the amount of the real her that we've seen through the cracks. That's the volume of camera footage that really exposes her to us. And at this point, she has yet to see what we see. She will see the debut of the edited version of The Comeback on our season one finale.
QUESTION #10
Is the way the writers act on the series, a reflection of the way they act and treat the actors in real life? Or is it an exaggeration of sorts?
Michael Patrick King
In the case of Paulie G. we have gotten a lot of reaction that "no one is that bad." Well, to that I say: Who says he's that bad all the time? You are seeing him only when he is around Valerie. I'm sure he's completely different with his writers and friends. Look for how he interacts with the other actors. Charming and fun. I wanted to create a villain. What's a "reality show" without that? How about that husband who screamed and threw a backpack at his wife and on "The Amazing Race"? People hated him. Or should I say they hated the part of him the producers chose to show. Get it?
QUESTION #11
Are we going to see more of the cast members (Shayne and Juna) in season 2?
Michael Patrick King
I love the cast and would love to see more of all of them. We have just scratched the cast surface.
QUESTION #12
Working with talented actresses like Sarah Jessica Parker and Lisa Kudrow, what would you say is an important quality an actress must have as the star of the show to make it a hit?
Michael Patrick King
She must be a totally unique viewing experience. She must have qualities so sublime that people want to see her week after week. I have been very blessed ... or smart, to have selected so well.
QUESTION #13
Do you have plans for Valerie to have a little more success in future episodes?
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But as a storyteller... I've always had the audience journey and well-being in mind. So, know this: there is a method to our madness. We are leading Valerie somewhere. |
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Michael Patrick King
I have to say, the lack of "instant success" that some viewers seem to crave for her is not something we find as realistic. In life, pathos doesn't come right before the day's over, so that you can have a good night sleep. It comes when you least expect it, if it comes at all. We wanted this spin on reality TV is show some reality. So, Valerie has most days where everything is not all right. Sorry. I tend to believe it's one of the things that draws people to the show. It doesn't tie everything up in a little bow like most TV comedy. So, viewers are, like, " What kind of TV show is this? I hate it." Or "What kind of TV show is this? I love it. " To be fair to the viewers, yes, we are maybe being harder on Valerie then you would be in real TV... perhaps. But I work in TV and things I've seen... it's pretty brutal. But as a storyteller... I've always had the audience journey and well-being in mind. So, know this: there is a method to our madness. We are leading Valerie somewhere.
QUESTION #14
What plans to you have for Valerie if "Room and Bored" doesn't work out?
Michael Patrick King
Do you know something I don't?
QUESTION #15
Was Mickey part of the original concept or was he added later?
Michael Patrick King
How could Mickey not have been part of the original concept? Valerie's hair awareness is huge. The show you are seeing was the original concept of Lisa and myself. We have stuck to our instincts.
QUESTION #16
Are the cast and crewmember close?
Michael Patrick King
We had a great time. I think the cast is amazing and I love all the diverse factions on the show: The Room and Bored actors, the writers (even the one's who haven't spoken yet) and her home life. I feel The Comeback world is full and populated with the right actors and characters. And the crew and all of us worked very hard to find what this "new" type of show looks and feels like. We had a great time discovering it.
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Video
Watch the promos, trailers and interviews for the show.
 Watch preview
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