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Season 1 – The Righteous Gemstones

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1:40

Aug 2019

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Well into the second generation of a grand televangelist tradition, the world-famous Gemstone family is living proof that worship pays dividends in all sizes. Patriarch Eli, the man most responsible for the tremendous success of the family's megachurch, is in mourning over the loss of his wife. Jesse, the eldest of the three grown Gemstone siblings, looks to lead in his father's footsteps, but finds his past sins jeopardizing the family ministry. Next in line comes middle sister Judy, who secretly lives with her fiancé and dreams of escaping the Gemstone compound. Rounding out the dysfunctional trio is pseudo-hipster Kelvin, the youngest of the preachers and a thorn in Jesse's side. As the family battles numerous threats to their renowned religious empire, they continue to spread the good word... and make a solid buck doing so.

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Critics Consensus

Though it may not win many new converts, fans of Danny McBride will find much to praise in The Righteous Gemstones's darkly hilarious pews.

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Rebecca Nicholson

Guardian

02/06/2020

3/5

For the bulk of this opener, The Righteous Gemstones hovers cautiously, without ever quite finding the strength of its voice. But it clearly has the potential to be much more. I'm praying for these Gemstones to shine.

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Lucy Pavia

London Evening Standard

02/05/2020

[T]he comic potential isn't mined as hard as it could be and the punches feel too broad.

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Suzi Feay

Financial Times

01/31/2020

4/5

The Righteous Gemstones looks cause for celebration enough.

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Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

01/20/2024

2.5/4

While full of colorful and interesting characters, it’s hard to shake their repulsive nature enough to enjoy the Gemstone story.

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Katherine McLaughlin

VODzilla.co

03/13/2021

7.7/10

This entertaining comedy about a corrupt televangelist family is packed full of riotous turns.

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Jonah Koslofsky

The Spool

01/20/2020

[Characters are] life-size cardboard cutouts we're meant to laugh at, with no genuine or sincere center, no motives that last past a logline.

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Hc N

@RT04263181 3d

Balancing between drama and humour, this series reminds me of Shameless, White Lotus, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Jesse Gemstone is my favourite, but all the characters are fun to get to know, but Kevin Gemstone is a bit too much of a caricature for my taste (too shallow perhaps, but that might be remedied in later seasons).

John S.

@ohreally May 9

Danny’s personality and characters all come together in this. I love the story line and love the tiny details you spot. Unfortunately I maybe laughed out loud once in this season. It’s still brilliant just not slap your knee lol funny.

Andrew O.

@moviesranch1 Dec 27

What a unique idea. Great acting. Enough of a plot to keep it all together.

Claude G

@RT07416073 Aug 15

Everything I can possibly hate about organized religion and it's all wrapped up into a neat, funny and extremely entertaining show. The satire is... well... I suspect that there is way more truth in this show than people would ever come to believe. Simply put. Someone who possesses actual faith could easily get offended by this show. Fortunately, that someone is not me. All 4 seasons have a lot to offer. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching a form of live religious-based SouthPark parody. The show's end is done in a such a way that more could come at some point. Clearly the show ended on a note which was by design and not due to any form of cancellation. It would be interesting to see how the creator of the show, Danny McBride could build on this for a potential spin-off.

Billy M

@RT69721886 05/26/2025

Top tier comedy! It takes an episode or two for the tone to really become defined but once it does it’s worth it. Incredibly unique, highly entertaining, and one of the best watches of the past decade. You will fall in love with the show and it only gets better in future seasons.

Joey S

@RT58929122 05/26/2025

While there is a great storyline that is easy to follow along with, the character development in this season is not the best as it focuses on the situation that the characters are in as opposed to making the characters relatable and intriguing to its audience.

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Danny McBride

Creator

Danny McBride

Jesse Gemstone

John Goodman

Eli Gemstone

Adam DeVine

Kelvin Gemstone

Edi Patterson

Judy Gemstone

Cassidy Freeman

Amber Gemstone

Episode 1

Aired Aug 18, 2019

The Righteous Gemstones

After returning from a baptism marathon in China with his father and brother, Jesse Gemstone receives a video from blackmailers looking to ruin his reputation.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Aug 25, 2019

Is This the Man Who Made the Earth Tremble

After discovering Amber, Pontius and Abraham discussing an estranged family member, Jesse and his friends try to acquire surveillance footage that could explain the strange events from the previous night.

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Episode 3

Aired Sep 1, 2019

They Are Weak, But He Is Strong

Aimee-Leigh's elderly brother Baby Billy returns to the Gemstone ministry; Jesse closes ranks on his co-conspirators to discover the identity of his blackmailers.

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Episode 4

Aired Sep 8, 2019

Wicked Lips

Judy and Martin take Gideon behind the scenes of the Gemstone enterprise; Eli tasks Kelvin with doing a satanic sweep for Dot, the rebellious teen daughter of the church's biggest donors; Chad's wife finds some disturbing emails.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Sep 15, 2019

Interlude

In 1989, young Jesse, Judy and Baby Billy learn that Aimee-Leigh is pregnant and deal with the news in their own unique way; Eli looks to grow his family's prospects.

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Episode 6

Aired Sep 22, 2019

Now the Sons of Eli Were Worthless Men

Judy considers Baby Billy's offer to help guide her career; Jesse procures key evidence he hopes will lead to the blackmailers.

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Episode 7

Aired Sep 29, 2019

And Yet One of You Is a Devil

Eli informs Jesse, Kelvin and Judy that they'll each need to be front and center for Easter Sunday service, their biggest telecast of the year; Judy's deference to Baby Billy threatens her relationship with BJ and with her family.

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Episode 8

Aired Oct 6, 2019

But the Righteous Will See Their Fall

Jesse deals with the fallout of the dramatic events of Easter Sunday; Judy attempts to win back BJ after receiving some harsh words from Baby Billy; Kelvin has a crisis of faith.

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Episode 9

Aired Oct 13, 2019

Better Is the End of a Thing Than Its Beginning

Eli questions his children's future in the Gemstone ministry; Jesse struggles to keep his marriage together; Judy opens up to BJ about her past; a disillusioned Kelvin embraces his dark side.

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Here and Now

24%

83%

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27%

21%

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90%

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78%

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