Even in a world where everyone seems deceptive, the Gemstone family never fails to amaze. The fictional televangelist family in HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones excel in the art of deception, presenting themselves as a model Christian family while engaging in profanity-ridden behavior and getting involved in petty crimes across the American South. They serve as a satirical reflection of the wealthy Roy family in Succession, both demonstrating how the trivial disputes of the privileged offer a glimpse into the American condition. However, The Righteous Gemstones adds its own touch of vulgar poetry, courtesy of creator Danny McBride, who sprinkles soliloquies about explicit subjects throughout the show. Despite their flaws, the Gemstones possess a certain sweetness that makes the series all the more captivating.

In the current season of the show, which is currently airing on HBO and streaming on Max, Reverend Eli Gemstone (played by John Goodman) is attempting to retire and pass on the ministry to his children. However, they are shockingly incompetent in taking over. Growing up in a world of privilege, the Gemstone offspring have never experienced true want, resulting in a lifetime of childish rivalries and insecurities. This doesn’t mean that they lack the desire to be responsible stewards of the family church. The issue is that, just like being empathetic and morally good individuals, they have no idea where to start.

McBride, who takes on the lead role of Jesse Gemstone, perfectly embodies this dilemma. Jesse is a character that showcases McBride’s improvisational skills and ability to convey empathy. He’s a man-child fueled by insecurities and a penchant for spewing nonsense, allowing him to deflect any meaningful conversations. “Unfortunately for Jesse, all he has is bullshit,” McBride explains. “He’s thrown into the spotlight and inherits a position of leadership, despite lacking any sense of what it means to be a leader. He never had to work for anything, never learned the tough lessons necessary to amass such power and wealth.”

The Righteous Gemstones is undoubtedly a crass comedy that revolves around hypocritical religious figures fumbling through life, but what sets it apart is its remarkable empathy. McBride and the writing team never look down on the Gemstones and their buffoonery. Even when the show incorporates gross-out humor, such as a sudden explosion of vomit from all three siblings or a food fight in a restaurant, it never undermines the sincerity of the Gemstones’ faith. They may be hypocritical in every sense, but they genuinely believe in what they preach.

“I do believe they are believers; the entire family,” McBride asserts. “They began with a mission, but the allure of money, wealth, power, and expansion led them astray from their initial objectives. It’s a tragic element of the Gemstones’ story. They started with a clear goal in one direction, but success redirected them towards another path. They deceive themselves and justify their actions by convincing themselves that they serve the greater good, yet they turn a blind eye to their shortcomings.”

This insight is perhaps the most profound aspect of The Righteous Gemstones. In a world consumed by cultural conflicts and divisive ideologies, McBride and his team have managed to highlight something simple yet often overlooked: bullshitters are masters at deceiving themselves.