The return of HBO’s “The Comeback” — a series with the proverbial “small but loyal cult following” — is set for this Sunday, giving the show’s loyal fan base something it has been waiting nine years for: more Valerie Cherish, the lovable if somewhat self-deluded lead character played by “Friends” veteran Lisa Kudrow.

The pay-cable network hosted a special screening for the resurrected series this week with Kudrow and other principals on hand, and TVWeek Open Mic writer Hillary Atkin was on the scene — please click here to get the lowdown before Sunday’s premiere.