HBO chairman and CEO Chris Albrecht took exception with the perception that his channel's programming is overly focused on Hollywood in his opening comments Thursday at the Television Critics Assn. winter press tour.

With the Lisa Kudrow showbiz satire "Comeback" the latest project slated to join a primetime schedule already filled with Hollywood-based series, including "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Entourage" and "Unscripted," Albrecht said broader themes are being overlooked by television critics who have identified the trend.

"I think when there's a strong point of view about an arena or an area that helps us to look through the microscope of the creator and their work and really shed some light on the human condition, those are the things we gravitate toward," he said. "Those are the things similar about the shows on our network. The show business part is completely coincidental."

Albrecht offered his interpretation of "Curb," which features "Seinfeld" co-creator Larry David playing himself as an ornery malcontent tweaking Hollywood mores.

" 'Curb' is about a Scrooge-like character, Larry David, who happens to be a guy that is still in show business," he said. "But in the great tradition of television shows like 'Father Knows Best' or 'Ozzie and Harriet,' it's not about what this character does (for a living), it's about following his journey through life."

Albrecht also envisions "Comeback," which has Kudrow depicting a washed-up actress, transcending its setting.

" 'Comeback' you'll see is a show that is designed to be a great comic romp," he said. "It has fun with a lot of the forms and some of the genres that exist on television."

"Comeback" was one of many new programs HBO discussed during its TCA session. The channel ordered 13 episodes plus a pilot of "Comeback," which is executive produced by Kudrow and "Sex and the City" executive producer Michael Patrick King in anticipation of a June premiere (HR 11/23).

June also will see the final season of "Six Feet Under." The second season of "Deadwood" begins March 6.

Albrecht also said no decision has been made on bringing back drama series "The Wire" for a fourth season. HBO is huddling with creator/executive producer David Simon to explore options, which Albrecht said could see some elements of the series return in a different incarnation.

Also coming this year on the series front is "Big Love," from Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's Playtone Prods. (HR 8/03). Twelve episodes are set to begin production soon.

HBO also announced a separate pair of one-woman comedy specials featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Tracey Ullman.