The Bawdy and Brash Journey of "The Righteous Gemstones"
In its final season, "The Righteous Gemstones" delves into immorality, yet maintains an appeal for Christian audiences
HOLLYWOOD (AP) - The final season of HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones" offers a vulgar, raunchy ride, complete with sex, violence, and full-frontal nudity, all while maintaining its usual level of debauchery. But its creator and lead star Danny McBride envisioned something more profound for the series - a show that resonates with people of faith, even though it might not seem like it at first glance.
"Frankly, my intention with creating the show was that religious people would watch it," McBride shared with The Associated Press before the season finale on Sunday. "I hoped they'd understand it's not a mockery of them, but it's probably a lampooning of those they may identify and dislike."
Growing up in a devout Christian household in the South, McBride, now 48, began to question the church as an adult. Yet, his curiosity in the world of megachurches sparked after moving to Charleston, South Carolina.
"I felt like there was a reflection of America in megachurches, where everything becomes a game of money," McBride shared. "The idea that we can take something as sacred as religion and turn it into a corporation seemed intriguing."
Although steeped in modern evangelical culture, McBride's series is not focused on religious followers specifically. Instead, the satire targets hypocrites and those who preach one thing but live another.
Megachurch Influencers in the Limelight
Celebrities like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, and a new generation of pastors, such as Hillsong's Carl Lentz and Justin Bieber's Judah Smith, have become staples of evangelical culture. With their massive congregations and strong media presence, these figures have faced scrutiny for their wealth and fame, which appears to contrast with the teachings of Jesus. However, the disdain for religious leaders that McBride tap into is not a new phenomenon, according to Kathryn Lofton, a religious studies and American studies professor at Yale University.
"There aren't many positive depictions of evangelists in American media in the last 50 years," Lofton said.
The Christianity of the Gemstone empire is far from austere. The second episode of this season, for example, ends with the extravagant annual give-a-thon in honor of Eli's late wife, featuring a choir, dancing, and, of course, jet packs.
For Deon Gibson, a former graphic artist who worked for Paula White before she became the head of Donald Trump's White House Faith Office, the show hits close to home.
"I knew those characters while I worked in the megachurches," Gibson said. "Beyond the Hollywood theatrics, it's remarkably accurate."
McBride admitted that it was a daunting task to satirize given the real-world examples of similarly elaborate stunts and rock concerts during church services.
"My biggest concern was that we would include elements in the show and then later see churches doing the same thing," McBride shared. "I just hope people don't think we're ripping them off."
Pushing the Envelope of Satire
According to Adam Devine, making satire in general is a challenge today, given the sometimes outlandish headlines in the news.
"Sometimes, you're like, 'That's too crazy. It wouldn't even work as satire,'" Devine said.
Despite the criticism, the series also offers moments of tenderness and poignancy, particularly in its depiction of Kelvin's (played by Adam Devine) struggle with his queer identity and his relationship with his partner.
"I hope that kids battling with their sexuality find hope in the show, that they can come out and be accepted by their families and their church," Devine shared.
Gibson, a practicing believer but no longer part of a congregation, believes that "The Righteous Gemstones" could rub some people the wrong way, given its honest portrayal of the megachurch world.
"I think it could offend some people because of the characters' honesty. But I enjoy the show because I saw both sides - the corruption within the ministry, but also the humanity of the characters," Gibson said.
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- Despite the satirical nature of his television series "The Righteous Gemstones", Danny McBride, a native of the South, aimed to create a show that religious people would watch and appreciate, while satirizing hypocrisy within the evangelical community.
- Interestingly, the second season of "The Righteous Gemstones" saw a continuation of the extravagant annual give-a-thon in Seattle, which mirrored real-life megachurch events with its choir, dancing, and even jet packs.
