Watch The Righteous Gemstones

The Righteous Gemstones is a comedy series that premiered on HBO in August 2019. Created by Danny McBride, the show tells the story of the Gemstone family, a wealthy and powerful megachurch dynasty based in the southern United States. The patriarch of the family, Eli Gemstone, played by John Goodman, is a charismatic and intimidating figure who founded the Gemstone empire and built it up from scratch. His two eldest children, Jesse (McBride) and Judy (Edi Patterson), work alongside him as preachers and leaders of various church branches, while the youngest son, Kelvin (Adam Devine), struggles to find his place in the family business.

The show opens with a bang, as the Gemstones hold a massive outdoor baptism ceremony that quickly devolves into a scene of chaos and violence. From there, we follow the family as they navigate their personal and professional lives, dealing with scandals, rivalries, and power struggles within the church and beyond.

One of the strengths of The Righteous Gemstones is its talented ensemble cast. Goodman is as always a delight, playing Eli with just the right mix of menace and vulnerability. McBride, who also writes and directs several episodes, brings his trademark irreverent humor and biting satire to the show. Devine, best known for his roles in comedies like Workaholics and Pitch Perfect, provides a wide-eyed and endearing foil to his more macho siblings. Patterson shines as the only Gemstone daughter, struggling to assert her own voice in a male-dominated family and church.

The show also boasts a strong supporting cast, including Walton Goggins as a conniving rival preacher, Jennifer Nettles as Eli's conflicted wife, and Dermot Mulroney as a sleazy journalist trying to expose the Gemstones' secrets. The show is not afraid to veer into darker territory at times, exploring themes of family dysfunction, greed, and corruption, but it never loses its sense of humor or its affection for its wacky characters.

Visually, the show presents a glossy and colorful world of megachurches and mansions, with plenty of extravagant costumes and sets to match. The music is also a highlight, with gospel tunes and country ballads providing a backdrop to many scenes, as well as a memorable opening credits sequence set to the funky strains of "Misbehavin'" by McBride and The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson.

At its heart, The Righteous Gemstones is a show about family, loyalty, and identity, as each of the Gemstone siblings grapple with their own ambitions and insecurities while trying to uphold the values and legacy of their father. The show is not without its flaws, occasionally veering into caricature or losing momentum in its plotlines, but overall it is a funny, irreverent, and often poignant look at a world that is both familiar and bizarre.

Fans of McBride's previous work, such as Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals, will find plenty to enjoy here, as will viewers who appreciate sharp writing and ensemble comedy. The show has already been renewed for a second season, promising more hilarious and outrageous adventures for the Gemstone family.

The Righteous Gemstones is a series that ran for 3 seasons (27 episodes) between August 18, 2019 and on HBO