The Comeback's Julian Stern on the Future of AI, Working with Mom Lisa Kudrow, and His Character's Role in the Series
Julian Stern, the real-life son of actress Lisa Kudrow, recently appeared in an episode of The Comeback, playing the role of AI trainer Evan. In this interview, Stern discusses his experience working with his mother, the significance of his character's role in the series, and his thoughts on the future of AI in Hollywood.
On Working with Mom Lisa Kudrow
"I was really nervous going in, cause I’ve never worked with my mom professionally like that before," Stern admitted. "And to be on camera with her, it’s like, ‘Oh God, am I gonna mess this up because I’m only gonna be able to see my mom?’ But my mom, she’s a great actress. And when I’m talking with my mom, I’m talking with my mom. When I’m talking with Valerie Cherish, different person, and it was really easy to slip into just, ‘Oh yeah, this is a different person, this is a complete stranger.’"
On the Role of Evan
"I think Evan is showcasing that people are still gonna work in the industry and people are still going to come back to watch TV shows. It’s just gonna be integrated in a weirder way than we’ve never seen before," Stern explained. "I don’t wanna be too altruistic, but I think he’s kind of the hope that it’s not fully done."
On the Future of AI in Hollywood
"I think it’s the same thing with AI. Yes, Hollywood is gonna lose some of their audience, but they’re not gonna lose everyone, and I think Evan is showcasing that people are still gonna work in the industry and people are still going to come back to watch TV shows," Stern added. "AI is more of a tool than a replacement. You need someone to actually manage it."
On His Character's Physical Comedy
"It unfortunately comes very natural. Cause I’m not that much of a confrontational guy to begin with," Stern said. "Michael Patrick King, who was the director for all the episodes, he would always tell me, ‘Hey, you can play it up more when you’re scared.’ I’m like, ‘Really? It’s not coming off goofy on camera?’ He’s like, ‘No, no, more goofy.’ And I was like, ‘OK, cool. As long as I’m not looking too stupid or it looks fake.’"
On His Future Projects
"I’m trying to do kind of everything ’cause at this point in the industry, you kind of have to," Stern concluded. "You gotta be a writer, gotta be an editor, gotta be a director, just gotta do it all and know the industry inside and out."
