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cover story Holy high rollers Greedy, seedy evangelists take center stage in ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ By Kyla Brewer TV Media T elevangelism allows millions of Christians to celebrate their faith through the magic of televi- sion. For many, it’s a saving grace. However, a new comedy takes a look at what happens when a morally corrupt family dupes good and honest people into parting with their hard-earned money, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. John Goodman (“The Con- ners”) stars as Eli Gemstone, the patriarch of a family of televan- gelists prone to deviance and greed, in the new comedy “The Righteous Gemstones,” premier- ing Sunday, Aug. 18, on HBO. The series follows the world-famous family as they pursue wealth un- der the guise of serving Jesus. The series was created by Danny McBride (“Vice Principals), who also co-stars, writes and di- rects some of the episodes. While it may seem as if the new comedy is poised to make fun of Christian- ity, McBride has insisted that “The Righteous Gemstones” is in no way meant to ridicule religion. Instead, it’s a satirical look at a family that doesn’t practice what they preach. “I would not pass judgment on other people,” McBride explained at this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour as quoted in a July article on ew.com. “For us, it’s about lampooning a hypo- crite, lampooning somebody who presents themselves one way and is not that way.” An unscrupulous, unyielding church leader known the world over for his aggressive salva- tion techniques and popular TV program, Eli definitely fits the bill of “hypocrite”. The merciless patriarch doesn’t take any guff from anyone, especially his grown children. His light may be starting to fade, but the other Gemstones are ready to take up the charge. Eli’s eldest son, Jesse (McBride), is the heir apparent to his father’s televangelist empire. He hopes to modernize their ministry for to- day’s audience as he tries to blaze 2 | Screentime his own path. Eli’s other son, Kelvin (Adam Devine, “Workahol- ics”), represents the new gen- eration of devotees with his hip hairstyle and edgy fashion. Mean- while, Eli’s daughter, Judy (Edi Patterson, “Partners”), stands in the shadows of her brothers and father as they take the lead in the chauvinistic church. The new comedy features a roster of supporting players who help bring the story to life. Jesse’s wife, Amber (Cassidy Freeman, “Smallville”), gave up a career in journalism to focus on her family and the church. Judy’s fiancé, BJ (Tim Baltz, “Shrink”), struggles to find his place among the eccen- tric Gemstone family. Ex-Satanist Keefe Chambers (Tony Cavalero, “School of Rock”) has been dedicated to serving the Lord and the Gemstones since Kelvin saved him from evil. Meanwhile, Eli relies on the sage counsel of conservative friend Martin Imari (Greg Alan Williams, “Remember the Titans,” 2000). “The Righteous Gemstones” is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated summer series, in no small part thanks to Good- man’s casting. One of the rare talents equally praised for his dramatic work and his comedic appearances, Goodman is practi- cally prime-time gold. He rose to fame as Dan Conner in the original run of the ABC sitcom “Roseanne,” which aired from 1988 to 1997, and later reprised his role in the 2018 revival of the series. The show has since been retooled without Barr as “The Conners,” which is set to return for a second season this fall. His other television work includes memorable roles in “The West Wing” and HBO’s “Treme.” On the big screen, he’s known for his frequent collaborations with Joel and Ethan Coen, having appeared in their films “Raising Arizona” (1987), “Barton Fink” (1991), “The Big Lebowski” (1998) and “O Brother, Where Art Thou” (2000), among oth- ers. Goodman is also famous for his work in such popular mainstream movies as “The Flint- August 14, 2019 | East Oregonian and Hermiston Herald Cassidy Freeman in a scene from “The Righteous Gemstones” stones” (1994) and “Monsters, Gemstones,” alongside David of the stars and co-creators of Inc.” (2001). Gordon Green (“Halloween,” “Workaholics” and his namesake Just as the return to HBO 2018), who directs a few episodes television series “Adam Devine’s is a homecoming of sorts for of the new HBO series as well. House Party.” Texas native Pat- Goodman, “The Righteous McBride directed the show’s pilot, terson should be familiar to “Vice Gemstones” marks a milestone which was ordered in June 2018. Principals” fans as Ms. Abbott, for McBride. He and longtime By October, it was clear that HBO while Freeman is best known collaborator Jody Hill (“Observe had faith in the series when it was for her role as Tess Mercer in the and Report,” 2009) have worked announced the cable channel had superhero drama “Smallville.” on two other successful comedies given the show a series order. Cavalero had big comedy shoes for the cable giant: the sports Goodman and McBride’s to fill when he played Dewey Finn comedy “Eastbound & Down” castmates in “The Righteous in Nickelodeon’s television ver- and the high school spoof “Vice Gemstones” are all gems in their sion of “School of Rock,” a role Principals.” They’re both execu- own right. Devine is well known portrayed by Jack Black in the tive producers for “The Righteous to the Comedy Central set as one original 2003 film. Baltz has been a regular in Comedy Central’s “Drunk History” and “The Oppo- sition With Jordan Klepper.” Watch as Goodman, McBride and the rest of the cast breathe life into the shady televangelist Gemstones in the debut of “The Righteous Gemstones,” airing Sunday, Aug. 18, on HBO. The first season of HBO’s newest com- edy features just nine episodes, including the hour-long season premiere, which will be followed by half-hour editions subsequent Sundays.
