The Righteous Gemstones kicked off its fourth and final season in 2025, centering around a dysfunctional clan of televangelists. Although they have achieved the pinnacle of success, their holds on their empire are beginning to crumble. This HBO comedy is reminiscent of the raunchy comedies that flourished in the mid-to-late 2000s, melding cringe-worthy moments with genuine heart. John Goodman plays Eli Gemstone, the church’s patriarch and widower, grappling with the reality that his children aren’t as virtuous as he might hope.
This series stands apart in a current landscape of television comedies that often blend humor with drama, showcasing its silliness and slapstick approach to sensitive themes. Yet, despite its originality in storytelling and its insightful religious satire, The Righteous Gemstones has echoes of other shows that fans might enjoy, all sharing themes of similar comedic styles and complex characters.
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Eastbound & Down (2009-2013)
Danny McBride’s Previous Hit HBO Series
One show that immediately comes to mind for fans of The Righteous Gemstones is Danny McBride’s earlier hit, Eastbound & Down. Premiering in 2009, this HBO series ran for four seasons featuring 29 episodes. It follows the story of Kenny Powers (played by McBride), an ex-Major League Baseball player who, after experiencing a career downturn, returns to his hometown as a substitute P.E. teacher at his old middle school. However, the self-centered and arrogant Powers is still yearning for a comeback.
Fans of The Righteous Gemstones may find familiar elements throughout Eastbound & Down: humor filled with vulgarity, a profane anti-hero at the center, and McBride’s signature irreverent tone that amplifies the comedic moments. Both Kenny Powers and Jesse Gemstone epitomize arrogance, believing the world owes them something while they reach for it without having truly earned it.
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Succession (2018-2023)
A Man Planning Retirement Has To Figure Out Which Child Will Take Over
Another critically acclaimed HBO series that echoes similar themes is Succession. This intense drama chronicles the power struggles within the Roy family, owners of a large media empire, as patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) navigates declining health and his children jostle for control. Much like the Gemstone clan, the Roy family’s tension-filled interactions portray the complications of family dynamics exacerbated by the pursuit of power.
Both shows feature a leader aware that his children are far from ready.
The humor and sharp dialogue in Succession create a striking comparison with the comedic moments in The Righteous Gemstones. Both series highlight family members scrambling after authority and realizing they may not possess the necessary skills to lead.
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Barry (2018-2023)
A Hitman Tries To Hide From His Past In Hollywood
With a darker comedic approach, Barry offers another captivating narrative. In this series, Bill Hader stars as Barry Berkman, a former marine turned hitman who finds himself drawn into the world of acting after traveling to Los Angeles for a job. What unfolds is Barry’s struggle with his violent past and his desire for a better life, paralleling the complex story arcs shared in The Righteous Gemstones.
Fans of both shows will enjoy the balance of humor with an undercurrent of darker themes. Each series surprisingly delivers unexpected moments of violence and conflict, revealing the filth hidden beneath the glamorous surfaces of their respective industries—one in the realm of organized crime and the other in the religious landscape.
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Arrested Development (2003-2019)
A Family Is Totally Unprepared For Adulthood
Shifting towards a more comedic tone, Arrested Development showcases a family glaringly unprepared for the adult responsibilities thrown their way. Jason Bateman portrays Michael Bluth, who attempts to keep his chaotic, rich family together and manage the family real estate business after his father is jailed. The dysfunctional family dynamics feel familiar to anyone who likes the tumultuous interactions seen in The Righteous Gemstones.
Both shows depict siblings out of their depths while navigating character interactions fueled by intelligence and humor, leading to humorous mishaps and absurd situations amidst their attempts at responsibility.
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A.P. Bio (2020-2021)
A Disgraced Harvard Professor Returns To Teach High School Biology
In A.P. Bio, we meet Jack Griffin, a former Harvard professor who reluctantly takes over a high school biology class after failing to achieve his dreams. His self-centered quest for revenge unwittingly reveals the potential of his students while neglecting their biology education. This dynamic resonates with the similar ambitions and questionable motives of characters in The Righteous Gemstones.
Despite the abrasive nature of the protagonists in both series, they manage to occupy spaces with moments of genuine heart, as both uncover how those in leadership positions often misuse their power to fulfill their selfish desires.
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BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
A Former Sitcom Star Wants A Comeback While Dealing With Depression
Exploring themes of depression and substance abuse, BoJack Horseman centers on a washed-up star looking for a second chance while battling his internal demons. This animated series challenges viewers beyond traditional comedic narratives, similar to The Righteous Gemstones in its use of humor to explore deeper, darker themes like self-destruction and societal critique.
While The Righteous Gemstones carries a facade of comedy, it also reveals complex characters grappling with their flaws and the expectations set upon them—parallels present throughout the storyline of BoJack Horseman.
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The White Lotus (2021-)
A Vacation Resort Full Of Murder, Cheating, & Intrigue
With the line between humor and dark drama often blurring, The White Lotus presents a unique anthology series revolving around the misadventures and moral conflicts of a group of vacationers at a tropical resort. Their antics often lead to chaotic and unexpected fallout, mirroring the climactic scenarios depicted in The Righteous Gemstones.
As the third season of The White Lotus premiered in 2025, it further accentuates the bond between dark themes and humor as characters face dire consequences for their actions, often propelled by self-interest.
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It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-)
The Worst Possible People On Television
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has become a staple of the comedic genre, often portraying morally bankrupt characters scheming against one another for personal gain. The characters in this series parallel those in The Righteous Gemstones almost perfectly, as they actively disregard friendships and family ties when it comes down to benefiting themselves.
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Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021-2022)
A Woman Tries To Escape Her Life With An Abusive Husband
Through a clever mix of genres, Kevin Can F**k Himself contrasts traditional sit-com tropes with the seriousness of a unhappy marriage. The series utilizes a staggeringly sitcom-like lens to depict the daily horrors of the protagonist’s experiences, creating a satirical but eye-opening portrayal of domestic life. Like Gemstones, it engages with deeper societal issues under the humorous plots.
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Big Time In Hollywood, FL (2015)
Two Friends Start A Major Scam To Become Filmmakers
Lastly, shining as a hidden gem, Big Time in Hollywood, FL chronicles the outrageous escapades of two siblings aiming for Hollywood fame. Their antics mirror those of the Gemstones in their over-the-top situations and personal selfishness while traversing their comedic journey. Although it was short-lived, its humor and fast-paced narrative deliver a similar energy to that found in The Righteous Gemstones.