When Season 1 of The Righteous Gemstones came out back in 2019, I started watching it—because it has Danny McBride at its center, and I’m all about that weirdo and anything he does.
For some reason, I lost interest after an episode or two. Maybe it was because I was too busy; maybe it was because first episode or two of the show weren’t that good.
Season 2 began on Jan. 9, and I gave the show another shot. I found myself binging the first four episodes of the new season—and wanting more. It features some very funny, extremely dark and seriously profane humor that hit me in just the right way. I find something supremely funny about a bunch of born-again Christian televangelists dropping constant F-bombs.
McBride plays Jesse Gemstone, the son of a preacher (John Goodman) who has a big religious empire. This season delves more into Goodman’s criminal background and his partnership with a friend (Eric Roberts) who has returned to make trouble. This is easily the best thing Roberts has done since Runaway Train.
Adam Devine plays brother/son Kelvin, while Edi Patterson is a real standout as sister/daughter Judy, an odd sort who loves to sing, dance and personally rip people to shreds. Skyler Gisondo plays Jesse’s son; it’s always good to have him around. The ever-reliable Walton Goggins plays “Baby” Billy Freeman, a slickster who loves a good, opulent baptism ceremony.
The show is blessedly weird, and I will definitely be going back to watch Season 1 to see if it was just a personality flaw of mine that caused me to bail. The Righteous Gemstones is as good as the other McBride HBO vehicles, Eastbound and Down and Vice Principals—maybe better.
The Righteous Gemstones’ Season 2 is currently airing on HBO, with new episodes being released every Sunday.
Skyler Gisondo plays Jesse Gemstone’s oldest son Gideon.
Oops. Thanks for the correction, Martha. We’ve made it in the copy.