Would You Go To Church To See 'The Righteous Gemstones'?

I’ve spent almost six years trying to explain The Righteous Gemstones to people who don’t watch it. It’s hard! Yes, it is a comedy, that much is sure. However, it is also a drama, as evidenced by some of the more intense storylines in the show. There can also be an abundance of sweetness and feel-good energy, and that can be followed up with full-frontal nudity. The best way I’ve been able to describe this show while assuring folks it isn’t pornography, is to call it “adult content.”

Danny McBride and the incredible crew behind the show have crafted something for adults. Yes, it can certainly be crass, but it covers such a wide spectrum of humanity that the crassness can often be overlooked (even when someone shouts, “do your dumps, boy”). You cannot separate one element of the show because they all work together in harmony to create one of the more unique (to this era, at least) series on television. This Sunday, it begins its end, something McBride didn’t realize until they were halfway through filming.

“As I started writing this season, everything I was leading toward just sort of felt like it was stories about conclusion and about growth and moving forward,” the actor and creator recently revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. Edi Patterson and Adam DeVine, who star with McBride, confirmed the late decision to end the series, happy that it didn’t cast a pall over the filming (though Patterson admits they got emotional toward the end.

While McBride has brought a show back from the dead before, having revived Eastbound & Down after what seemed like a definitive ending, that doesn’t seem to be the case for the Gemstone family, at least not on television. While the show won’t continue, McBride has another idea: “I would be interested in doing a live version of this show, doing a traveling Gemstones tent revival. I think that would be fun.” I would be the first in line for such an event, even if I have to bring my kids. My mom has always wanted them to go to church …

Patterson is also on board, saying, “I would love to do a live show. We’ve talked about it a bunch and I really hope that [McBride] wants to for real because I would love it.” If her support wasn’t enough, DeVine took the sentiment further, saying, “I hope that’s how we all end our careers, just at the Universal backlot just flipping off s***, praising Jesus.” Walton Goggins, who is set to have two shows on HBO’s Sunday night lineup, is onboard as well. What else needs to be said? Who needs to be convinced?

While a Gemstones live show feels only like a dream (for now), we aren’t dreaming about the show’s end. This Sunday begins its last, glorious run. Our lives will all be a little darker without it.