LOS ANGELES—The concluding season of “The Righteous Gemstones,” a show about the trials and tribulations of a Christian megachurch family, is filled with the same quirky and outrageous content its fans have come to expect. Despite its often explicit depictions and sharp humor, its creator, Danny McBride, has always aimed for the series to resonate with people of faith.
McBride, who both conceptualized and stars in the HBO series, expressed his intention that religious viewers would find the show relatable rather than offensive, hoping to highlight personalities within religious circles that they might already criticize. He remarked, “My hope honestly with creating the show was that people who were religious would watch it. That, ultimately, they would understand that this isn’t making fun of them, but it’s probably making fun of people that they identify and are annoyed by.”
Raised in a deeply Christian home in the South, McBride was familiar with the inner workings of church life, thanks in part to his mother leading a puppet ministry during his childhood. While he eventually distanced himself from regular church activities, his interest in religious culture persisted, particularly noticing the influence of megachurches after relocating to Charleston, South Carolina. McBride observed, “I felt like it kind of was reflective of America in a way that everything is sort of turned into a money game.”
The series centers on Eli Gemstone (John Goodman) and his dysfunctional family, exploring themes within modern evangelical communities but largely aiming its satirical lens at hypocrisy rather than faith itself. “It was more about hypocrites and people who were saying one thing and living another,” McBride noted.
Figures like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes have long been influential in evangelical circles, but today’s new wave of media-savvy preachers like Hillsong’s Carl Lentz are entering pop culture alongside past renowned leaders. According to Yale University’s Kathyrn Lofton, skepticism towards wealthy religious leaders is not unprecedented, referencing how media has portrayed evangelists over the past decades.
The Gemstone empire is nothing short of opulent, with elaborate events such as the children’s annual give-a-thon showcasing their extravagant brand of Christianity. The show’s ability to parody the often ostentatious nature of these modern “church services” speaks to its relatability, even for those familiar with the real-life dynamics of religious leadership.
Deon Gibson, who once worked closely within megachurch settings, found the show’s portrayal strikingly accurate despite its Hollywood flourishes, saying, “I knew those characters while I worked in the megachurches. Aside from the Hollywood theatrics, it is spot on.”
Given the sometimes bizarre realities of religious spectacles seen online, McBride admitted the difficulty in creating satire that doesn’t unintentionally mirror reality. “My biggest fear would be that we would put stuff in the show and then like months later before the show comes out you would like see a church actually doing something we were doing,” he said.
Actor Adam Devine echoed the complexity of satire today, pointing out that current news headlines often rival the imagined extremes of fiction. However, the series goes beyond critique with its warm and heartfelt moments, such as Kelvin’s journey of self-acceptance regarding his queer identity. Devine hopes the show can offer solace and representation for viewers grappling with similar challenges.
While some viewers may find the show’s depiction of megachurches confronting, Gibson appreciates its balanced portrayal. “I think it would offend some people, the honesty of some of the characters. But I like the show because I saw both sides. I saw that side of the ministry corruption, but at the end of the day, they were people,” he reflected.